Daily News & Opinion

Most events house their registration area in the foyer preceding the conference hall. Well, the linux.conf.au turned this idea on its head, collaborating with Christchurch Airport to welcome delegates to the south island as soon as they stepped off the plane. Speaking on the approach, ChristchurchNZ GM Destination and Attraction Loren Heaphy said “There are over 600 delegates attending this respected technical conference and this is a great way to make sure their experience in our city starts on a high.”

DoubleTree by Hilton’s first foray into the West Australian market, and first new-build property in Australia, has occurred with the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Northbridge. The 206-room property is situated in the vibrant Northbridge precinct, and boasts a 24-hour fitness centre, a scenic executive lounge and a meeting space with a capacity of up to 160 guests. The hotel also houses a modern dining precinct, James St Bar + Kitchen, which is helmed by chef Kevin Garcia.

A study conducted Fahrenheit 212 and supported by the PCMA Foundation and Marriott International has outlined five trends with the potential to dramatically disrupt the events industry within the next five years. Presented during the 2019 PCMA Convening Leaders program, which took place between January 6 and 9, the trends included emotional intelligence, orchestrated serendipity, multi-modal design, being bigger than oneself and a clear sense of place.

Hong Kong locals and visitors alike are squealing in anticipation of next month’s Chinese New Year celebrations, which will light up the city to usher in the year of the pig. Activities on offer will include shopping at flower markets with seasonal blooms, exploring Lantau Island via cable car and, most importantly, marvelling at the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade, a signature event set to take place on February 5.

This week saw Essence Apartments and Suites Taringa, the nation’s first hotel located in the same building as a hospital, open its doors in Brisbane. The $65 million development encompasses 63 luxuriously-appointed studios, one and two bedroom suites, an exclusive guest lounge overlooking the city and state-of-the-art conferencing facilities. Each of the hotel’s rooms feature kitchenettes, Smart TVs, Foxtel and Wi-Fi, and some are fitted with sofa lounges.  The hotel is situated above Westside Private Hospital.

Hawaii, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Fiji, the UK and the USA are the locations which have already signed up to this year’s Get Global event, set to take place at the ICC Sydney on July 26. Last year’s successful outing saw 94 per cent of buyers say that they intend to do business with the exhibitors they met within the next twelve months, and 90 per cent of exhibitors said they would exhibit at Get Global again.

‘Reframe Impossible’ is the theme of Make a Wish’s upcoming speaking event, which will take place on February 15, 2019 at The Deakin Edge in Melbourne. A score of inspirational speakers are set to share insights on how we can all take small steps to engender big changes, including Game of Inches author Nigel Collin, National Patron of the Make a Wish Foundation Robyn Moore and former CEO of Melbourne Football Club Cameron Schwab.

February 21 will mark the inaugural summit for Not in My Workplace, an organisation dedicated to taking a stand against sexual harassment. The event, which will take place at the MCEC, will provide advice to business leaders on how to convert awareness of the #metoo movement into practical actions beyond policies. Some of the speakers set to headline include President of Australian Human Rights Commission Gillian Triggs and minister for women in the Victorian parliament The Hon Gabrielle Williams MP.