Daily News & Opinion

The latest International Visitor Survey from Tourism Australia reveals Brisbane attracted 1.3M international visitors over the calendar year 2017, up 6.7% from the year before. Providing a hook for this has been New Zealand visitors who contributed to a record influx for the city’s strong suite of summer sporting events. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said, “Drawcard events include the third Bledisloe Cup rugby Test, the Ashes cricket, the Rugby League World Cup finals and the Battle of Brisbane 2.”  

The ADX18 Sydney dental exhibition being held from March 23-25 at the ICC Sydney, is fast approaching. It is anticipated that more than 10,000 stakeholders from across the dental community and more than 500 exhibition booths will be in attendance. The event allows dentists and oral health professionals the opportunity to see more, buy more and learn more. Organised by the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), it is the peak business organisation representing manufacturers and suppliers of dental products.  

Voyages Ayers Rock Resort’s unforgettable dining in the desert, Tali Wiru, (meaning beautiful dune in local Pitjantjatjara) re-opens for its fifth season on March 26.  Set on a remote sand dune overlooking Uluru and the distant domes of Kata Tjuta, this season’s menu features ancient flavours of Indigenous Australia with some exciting and unusual ingredients woven into the menu. Guests enjoy champagne and canapés at sunset accompanied by the sounds of a digeridoo, followed by a four-course table d’hôtel menu.  

The W Brisbane, the first five-star hotel to open in Brisbane City in 20 years will mark the re-entry of the W brand into Australia when it opens in June. Located at 81 North Quay, the W Brisbane will offer 312 stylish guestrooms, including 29 suites and two Presidential Suites, all showcasing views of the Brisbane River. Meeting and event facilities cover approximately 1100 sqms and are fully equipped with world class audio-visual facilities.    

Those planning to attend the MEA2018 conference can plan their visit with the program now available online www.mea2018.com.au. The Program Committee have developed a program offering timely information relevant in today’s climate. In addition, the committee invites the industry to submit a 50 word outline for a five minute presentation on a new product or service. These outlines will be considered for inclusion in the ‘What’s New Session’ in the program. Submissions close April 4 2018.  

For the third year Staging Connections staged the launch of the Brisbane Broncos 30-year celebration and season launch event. A feat accomplished with just two weeks for the Sydney and Brisbane project teams to design and produce the set and bring all the custom event elements together. To elevate the special celebrations, the Staging Connections team custom-designed the set to include a large format custom aspect ‘blend’ screen with multiple surfaces for content to be displayed throughout the night.    

The Whitehaven Long Lunch, which was held for the recent Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival scored a five out of five for more than 90 per cent of attendees. More than 200 people were greeted on the stunning beach with Moet, sashimi and oysters followed by a seated seafood lunch.

 Following the Mandalay Bay Convention Center’s expansion, MGM Resorts is introducing more options for the meeting planner in Las Vegas with convention center expansions.  These are occurring at ARIA, MGM Grand, Park MGM and Luxor, giving a total of approximately 900,000 additional sq ft. When completed at the end of 2018, MGM will have 4 million sq ft of meeting and convention space, the largest in Las Vegas. All this space, provides meeting planners numerous options, under one portfolio, with one seamless contract.