Daily News & Opinion

The International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney won big at the Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) Awards for Excellence, which were announced on Thursday night. These included Best Corporate Citizen, Best Venue Team; Sibos 2018 and the Richard Geddes Young Achiever, which was awarded to team member Aiden Hippensteel. CEO of ICC Sydney Geoff Donaghy said the venue’s achievements are reflective of its commitment to the community as well as the exceptionally talented team behind every event delivery.

This week, GPJ ANZ hosted a Christmas event with a difference. The ‘Festive-all’ saw the experiential agency work with OzHarvest and A Sound Life to highlight the issues of food insecurity and food waste in Australia. Guests were treated to enlightening talks by founder of OzHarvest Ronni Kahn AO and her philanthropist son and founder of A Sound Life Edo Kahn. Musicians Junkyard Beats and Gus Abiz concluded the lunch with an interactive musical performance.

CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park – Melbourne & Olympic Parks’ (M&OP) upcoming state-of-the-art events complex – has reached a milestone, ticking off its largest concrete pour. The development saw 55 trucks deliver 300 cubic metres of concrete in one day. Currently in the third and final stage of its $972 million redevelopment, the centre is slated for completion in late 2021 and will offer indoor and outdoor function spaces for up to 3000 guests.

Following a major transformation, Amari Vogue Krabi has re-opened its doors. The design is warm, contemporary and distinctly Thai, with all 64 guestrooms now replete with light-filled interiors and Thai mural paintings. Other onsite facilities include a fitness centre, the Lotus Restaurant and a climate-controlled space with a library and computer station.

Come January next year, COMO Cocoa Island – the multi-award-winning Maldivian private island resort in South Malé Atoll – will re-open following an extensive renovation. With a focus on wellbeing, the resort now has expanded treatment rooms, a Pilates studio, an updated hydrotherapy pool, kajan thatch roofing and Maldivian coral-rock walls. The resort is located just a 40-minute boat ride from the international airport.

Te Pae has finalised its business development team with the appointment of two new executives: Brad Isherwood and Jördis Renz. Joining the team as business development executive national, Brad has a background in marketing and will be showcasing the venue to prospective New Zealand-based clients. Jördis has joined the team as business development executive, and brings to the role a strong background in events, having worked at Uno Loco and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. She will provide support across all markets.

Crown Group is preparing to open the doors to its third luxury serviced apartment hotel in the new year, SKYE Suites Green Square. The finishing touches are currently being put on the interiors by celebrity interior designer Juliet Ashworth. The hotel forms part of the $575 million Infinity by Crown Group development on the corner of Bourke Street and Botany Road. It comprises 326 luxury residential apartments, set above an 1180 sqm central landscaped plaza.

A new shuttle service has been launched to provide daily transfers between Newcastle Airport, the Newcastle CBD and Hunter Valley. The daily Newcastle Airport Shuttle will also cater for conference and incentives, weddings and groups attending events to the Hunter Valley Conference & Events Centre. The Mercedes Benz bus is the only regular shuttle service operating out of Newcastle Airport and has the capacity to carry up to 54 passengers. For bookings and further information: https://www.newcastleairportshuttle.com.au/