Daily News & Opinion

Marriott International has announced that John Douglas has been appointed area director of finance Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Effective immediately, John will oversee the financial functions and operations across Marriott International’s more than 30 operating properties in the region. John has worked for more than 20 years with Marriott, starting out at Brisbane Marriott Hotel in 1999 as assistant controller, before being promoted to director of finance at Melbourne Marriott Hotel in 2002.

Spring is one step closer to springing with the Byron at Byron’s new conferencing offer. Executives who book an event at the resort before November 31 will enjoy a complimentary two-night escape package that can be used as a delegate reward or incentive. The package for two is valued at $1250 and as well as two nights’ accommodation, includes daily breakfast and dinner in the award-winning, one-hat Byron at Byron restaurant. Terms and conditions apply.

History has been made with the signing of the first Sofitel Hotel & Services Residences in the buzzing metropolis of Seoul. Slated to open in 2021 in a commercial tower, the hotel will feature 563 rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant and bar as well as meetings and events space. It will be located adjacent to Jamsil Subway Station, and appeal to business travellers due to its close proximity to the Coex Convention and Exhibition Center.

ICC Sydney’s newly-named First State Super Theatre was showcased to select guests on Monday, with a range of talks and performances taking place on the stage. The evening opened with a musical Acknowledgement of Country from Sydney-based Aboriginal service provider, KARI, and was followed by an address from NSW minister for property Melinda Pavey and a panel discussion involving ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy, Mirvac CEO Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, First State Super CEO Deanne Stewart and Sydney Business Chamber executive director Katherine O’Regan.

More than 700 representatives from Chinese company Zhiban Keji will flock to the Gold Coast this week for a four-day incentive. The program features a number of exciting experiences, including Movie World, Australian Outback Spectacular and Sirromet Wines, and an estimated $1.7 million will be pumped into the local economy. The Gold Coast boasts 44 per cent of Queensland’s conference market share, with the business events industry injecting $540 million annually into its economy.

Experienced creative Ben Weir has been appointed executive creative producer at cievents. Ben will be responsible for facilitating the creative and strategy work across cievents’ portfolio, and will work closely with the sales and account teams to drive business opportunities. His previous role was executive creator at Fourth Wall, and he brings to the role more than 18 years of experience in advertising, marketing and production.

AIME isn’t the only show we’re talking about today, with exhibitor registrations for New Zealand’s premier MICE exhibition, MEETINGS, opening this week. The event will take place in Auckland between April 21 and 23, 2020, and exhibitors have already indicated strong interest. This year’s MEETINGS was held in May, and generated a record $62 million of business signed by exhibitors on the show floor. To register for MEETINGS 2020, visit: https://www.meetings.co.nz/exhibitor-registration?utm_source=evosuite-edm-meetings-2020-registrations-are-open-get-your-early-bird-rate-&utm_medium=evosuite-edm&utm_campaign=evosuite-edm-meetings&conid=834436

Leading meetings and conventions event AIME has set its mission for the 2020 show – set to take place between February 17 and 19, 2020 in Melbourne – with a particular focus on diversity. Organisers hope to increase hosted buyers by 50 per cent and exhibitors by 30 per cent, and, seven months out from the event, have already booked out 65 per cent of the show floor and 50 per cent of the Hosted Buyer program.