Global luxury travel network Virtuoso® revealed the winners of the widely coveted 2018 Best of the Best awards at last night’s 30th annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, with Adare Manor in Limerick being named the winner. Virtuoso’s voting public included its 1000-plus travel agency members and its 17,500 professional travel advisors from 50 countries.
Wowzer. The property reopened in November 2017 after an extensive 21-month restoration.
Nikie Mok, a proven leader with a passion for mentoring and nurturing future talents, has just been appointed director of sales and marketing at W Kuala Lumpur. A hospitality veteran with over 18 years’ experience, Nikie has previously worked at Hotel Nikko Kuala Lumpur, Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel and Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur Hotel in sales and marketing positions. In her new role, Nikie will be given the chance to capitalise on her talents for multitasking, building connections and discovering what’s new.
Looks like she was also given the welcome reception to end all welcome receptions. I’ll be having a word with Helen about showering our next recruit with glitter.
Air New Zealand has been listed as Australia’s most reputable company in the Reputation Institute’s annual Australia Corporate Reputation Index. For the second year in a row the airline trumped companies such as Toyota, Apple, Qantas and Nestle for the prestigious title. Air New Zealand General manager Australia Kathryn Robertson said the airline’s chat bot Oscar and $100 million lounge investment contributed to the win.
A NZ victory us Aussies can’t claim!
With its policy of not sending the media a full list of Meetings & Events Australia state award winners, winners promoting the event themselves continue to hit our inbox. That latest is from ExpoNet which is pleased as punch it won the MEA NSW State award in the Exhibition Services category. And another winner was the Sydney Olympic Park Authority business events team which secured the NSW award for Metropolitan Destination Marketing Organisation. Image courtesy of Oneill Photographics.
We have to say it would be far simpler if we received a complete list of winners. But stay tuned for more results as they come in.
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.
The W brand’s iconic Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy, will ensure guests at the hotel have access to whatever they want, whenever they want it. (as long as its legal!)
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.
As an outline, the five minute presentation must focus on a product or service that is innovative or creative and should focus on the benefits to the event industry
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.
Looks as though Staging Connection kicked some serious goals at the event
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.
Now where was our invite? Not a bad destination for a conference lunch in the Whitsundays.