The ambitious and highly focussed Chief Executive of Arinex is banking on an exciting future with the company, that in its various incarnations is just two years off celebrating its 50th anniversary. Read more
Stay tuned for part two of this story tomorrow.
Industry association Meetings & Events Australia’s (MEA) annual general meeting is coming up on 23 November and with it there will be some major changes to its Board of Directors. Social media is awash with vote canvassing by some candidates seeking election.
This contest at this time is very important. Given the important role industry associations play in representing their members and the industry, it’s critical the best people, with the right intentions, skills and competencies are elected. Read more
Some good advice here. There's probably never been a time where we will be better rewarded by making good decisions.
Queensland has reported six community cases with three sources and returned several parts of the state to stage 2 of its “COVID Safe Future” plan.
Indoor events will be reduced to 75 percent of seated capacity or one person per four square metres, with one person per two square metres permitted outdoors.
All venues will be restricted to seated eating and drinking.
The restrictions come into place at 4pm for Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Moreton Bay, Townsville and Palm Island.
Fingers crossed things don't escalate in Queensland.
Freedom to gather will only be reinstated if vaccination targets are achieved, the rates of transmissions come down and importantly, if COVIDSafe policies are implemented by the operators of live events and venues.
Our industry exists to bring people together. So, do we have a fundamental responsibility to lead policy rather than wait for vaccination to be mandated for our sector by Governments? Read more
I must say, I'm surprised there's not more appetite from within the industry for mandatory vaccination - it's the most COVIDSafe you can be.
While Melbourne awaits news on its current COVID-19 lockdown, Oakwood is pushing ahead with the Melbourne debut of its Oakwood Premier apartment hotel close to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), that is now scheduled to open in October this year instead of in 2022.
It will be the first Oakwood Premier for Australia and the 10th of this brand which can be found in other major world cities including Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore. Read more
Good to see something ahead of schedule - especially in the current global circumstances.
Wildlife tour company Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours and not-for-profit koala conservation organisation Koala Clancy Foundation are joining forces to create immersive conservation opportunities for leisure, education, volunteer and corporate travel through a new brand, Conservation Travel Australia.
“Recent surveys are telling us that 70 percent of Australians are concerned about climate change and we’re hearing those same words from participants on our tours,” says co-director of Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours, Roger Smith. Read more
Great to see these two organisations getting in ahead of the game and bringing others along with them. Responsible travel looks set to become the way we'll explore the world in the future.
Through corporate partnerships, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras gave out $248,000 in grants to LGBTQI+ community groups for this year’s festival season.
"It was important for us to work with our partners on supporting the community, in both the short and long term,” said Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger.
Just one of its three grant programs, which distributed $100,000 in funding, resulted in over 200 artists, DJs and entertainers being engaged, 226 event staff employed and over $300,000 in revenue generated for venues.
Another proof point showing how important events are to our way of life.
The 2021 edition of the Deloitte Access Economics Tourism and Hotel Market Outlook has forecast that pent up demand from 2020 is expected to support the kick-start of holiday travel, but business travel is expected to have a longer recovery.
Deloitte Access Economics partner and Deloitte national tourism leader, Adele Labine-Romain says this will have critical implications for many corporate travel focused and convention-based hotels. Read more
Strap in, we're in for a bit of a tough ride.
