Daily News & Opinion

On track to open in mid-2022, construction begun last week on the 80-room Peppers Melbourne Richmond. Located on historic Bridge Road, the hotel will boast a state-of-the-art gym, onsite restaurant and a rooftop bar overlooking the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Botanical Gardens. It will be located three tram stops from the MCG. Peppers Melbourne Richmond will be the third Peppers hotel to open in the Victorian capital, joining Peppers Docklands and Shadow Play by Peppers.

Come 2023 the first Mondrian hotel will open in Singapore. The 300 room and suite hotel will be located in the Duxton Hill neighbourhood, and boast an onsite restaurant, longue and a rooftop bar which combines historic architecture with modern influences.

From Saturday, February 20, 2021, restrictions on social gatherings have been relaxed in Canberra as the ACT government makes its Check In CBR app compulsory for residents. Events and gatherings can now host up to 10,000 people in accordance with the COVID Safe Event Protocol, which is up from 8000 people. The National Convention Centre’s indoor and outdoor spaces can be 75 per cent full provided they have a COVID Safety Plan endorsed by ACT Health.

We have a feeling this week’s grin and tonic will be a fan favourite. Darren Isenberg has dedicated it to a wide variety of photos of Bernie Sanders in his now famous mittens and grumpy expression. As Darren said, the incredible variety of ideas used in the following photos proves two things: 1) There are some crazily creative people on this planet, and 2) Lots of people really have too much spare time on their hands! Enjoy the latest reel: https://www.dipresents.com.au/grin-tonic

Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) has appointed two new board members — David Perks from WellingtonNZ, and independent board director, David Downs. BEIA board chair, Tony Gardner, said both will add valuable new skillsets, wide experience, and influence to help BEIA respond to the most pressing issues facing the business events industry. David Perks is general manager, regional development, Destination and Attraction at WellingtonNZ. David Downs is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors.

This week Victoria’s Legislative Council voted to establish a parliamentary inquiry into support for Victoria’s tourism and event sectors. The announcement followed the lobbying efforts of Save Victorian Events, an initiative which brought together nearly 2000 people to write to their MPs and highlight the plight of the sector. Commenting on the announcement, Simon Thewlis, founder of Save Victorian Events, said: “The inquiry can finally shine a light on the truly appalling way Victoria’s iconic event industry has been treated throughout this pandemic.”

Yesterday Marriott International announced that its CEO Arne Sorenson had passed away at the age of 62 from pancreatic cancer. Sorenson became the third CEO in Marriott’s history in 2012, and the first without the Marriott surname. In a statement, Marriott described Sorenson as a “visionary leader” who “put the company on a strong growth trajectory”, which included the US$13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Save NSW Events, a collaboration formed to support the events industry through the Covid-19 crisis, has launched a survey to show government the level of financial impact the pandemic has had on the sector. The survey is for people and businesses in the NSW events industry, and is aimed at showing the need for JobKeeper and other forms of financial support for the industry into the future. All responses are confidential and do not include any identifying information.