Daily News & Opinion

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.  

As events go, this is a biggie. In the Big Top at Luna Park Venues on February 5, 2018, the most viewed event in US broadcast history, Super Bowl LII will again be on again. Streaming live across multiple screens, the event hosted by Radio Hub sports’ presenters Cooper “Silky” Silk and Craig “Bush” Markham has an Australian twist with a put on the American tradition of ‘Tail Gating’ and the morning kicking off with a pregame ‘Sail Gate’ party.    

The landmark $600 million FV by Peppers development in Fortitude Valley has arrived in Brisbane offering a new level of inner-city, apartment-style sophistication. Guests can lay beside a heated u-shaped skyline pool with spectacular views and take in a movie at the moonlight cinema. To celebrate the opening, stay in a one bedroom apartment from $199 per night, for a minimum two-night stay (minimum spend $398). To book, call 1300 987 600 or visit peppers.com.au.    

AccorHotels has today announced the signing of an agreement with Mantra Group Limited to acquire the group for $3.96 for each Mantra share. CEO and Chairman of AccorHotels, Sebastian Bazin, said the move will underpin AccorHotels’ long-term growth in the Asia Pacific.