Daily News & Opinion

Following the various corporate social responsibility measures at its own annual conference last month, Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) is launching a resource to assist New Zealand event organisers with CSR projects of their own. The tool, which is to be published on the CINZ website, will include case studies, ideas and advice for planners to weave CSR into their own programs. The annual conference saw 200 lunches donated to kiwi children in need through the social enterprise Eat My Lunch.

After 36 months of planning and six months of building, Sandalford’s Swan Valley estate is now home to a bespoke event space with a capacity for up to 460 guests. The Estate Room is completely sans pillars, and offers sweeping viticultural views, vintage styling and a three metre screen with built-in audio visual capacity. The new function room is the first stage of a major expansion and re-development at Sandalford’s Swan Valley Estate.

A comprehensive knowledge program wherein buyers and sellers share ideas to challenge the status quo will comprise the first day of AIME proceedings, organisers have revealed. The program will encompass a number of thought-provoking talks, including a debate on the relevance of PCOs, as well as streams for varying levels of experience and seniority. On the reason behind the program, CEO of Talk2 Media & Events Matt Pearce said “We want people to leave AIME… having upskilled their professional and personal development.”

The Sunshine Coast has boosted its business events credibility with the securing of two major conferences: the National Clean Technologies Conference & Exhibition, which will take place between May 29 and 31 at The Events Centre Caloundra, and The Performing Arts Connections Australia Conference and Performing Arts Exchange, which will take place between August 25 and 29. The former is expected to attract over 250 delegates, while the latter is expected to attract between 400 and 500.

Following a carefully-enacted 12-month program, Crowne Plaza Melbourne has unveiled a $25 million refurbishment of its 402 guestrooms. Each of the rooms now have contemporary bathrooms, standalone showers with state-of-the-art showerheads, premium bedding, designer furnishings and a striking artwork feature. The hotel’s City View rooms now boast spacious walk-in wardrobes with workstations, while the Luxury suites feature deep bathtubs, walk-in showers and plush bedding. Phase two of the refurbishment will commence next year, and include updates to conference and event facilities.

After months and months of hype, the doors to Westin Brisbane – a 260-room hotel with a focus on wellness and health – have officially opened. Located in the heart of the River City, the hotel boasts Australia’s first Heavenly Spa by Westin, a WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio, three dining venues with nutrient-rich culinary options and has been designed with a decidedly biophilic focus, including colours found in nature and natural materials.

More than 900 of Queensland’s tourism elite will gather at the Star Gold Coast on November 16 for the Queensland Tourism Awards – an occasion the venue has amply prepared for with the very best in local food. More than 30 chefs have been appointed to work on the night and are gearing up to serve around 90 kilograms of Oakey beef tenderloin, 112 kilograms of Mount Cotton chicken breast and 30 kilograms of Stanthorpe peaches.

Yesterday morning, the luxury doors to Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort, opened in Cairns, signalling the first five-star property to open in the region in over 20 years. More than 170 staff were onsite during the opening, an occasion which Crytalbrook Collection CEO Mark Davie described as ‘momentous’. Riley features 311 rooms and suites, in-room iPad control centres and a 1000 square metre swimming lagoon.