Daily News & Opinion

It’s been 25 years to the week that Sydney was announced as host for the 2000 Olympic Games, and now the harbour-side city has snatched another event win. This time, it’s the 2023 UN Work Safety Congress. The event, which will take place at the ICC Sydney, will see up to 4000 work health and safety experts coalesce to discuss different approaches. The win comes off the back of 10 years of government campaigning, and will inject approximately $10 million into the state economy.

Melbourne’s latest dual-brand hotel is now open for business, with the Little Lonsdale Street-located Novotel and Ibis Melbourne Central now accepting bookings for stays from December 1. The property features 270 Ibis premium-economy guest rooms and 213 4.5 star Novotel guest rooms and suites, and a range of dining facilities including ‘Pretty Boy Italian Steak House’, ‘Floyd’s Italian’ and ‘Goldie Asian Canteen + Brews’. The hotel also features the latest in in-room technology, and rates start from $186 per room per night.

Acclaimed chef, runner and all-round trooper Matt Golinski has joined the 2018 Event Symposium program to deliver a masterclass. The interactive program is being designed under the title ‘Growing Something from Nothing – Building Extraordinary Events’, and will allow delegates to work with Matt directly to identify their passion, drive and energy. Matt, who recently featured on Australian Story, lost his wife and three daughters in 2011 during a house fire, and sustained critical burns to 40 per cent of his body.

If the acronyms in this title had you scratching your noggin, Tourism Australia (TA) has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with China Southern Airlines (CZ) to develop the business event travel sector in China. Both organisations will work together to develop marketing campaigns and promotional activities targeting MICE agents and corporate buyers in China, which is currently Australia’s largest source of visitors. TA also recently announced the Business Events Australia Greater China Showcase, which will be held in Melbourne this November.

“My Meetings by Marriott International” is the name, and a slew of Malaysia-centric meeting packages is the game, with 17 Marriott International hotels combining to deliver authentic experiences for delegates. According to Marriott International’s area director of sales and distribution Sho Hwee, “The concept aims to showcase authentic, experiential options that elevate Malaysia’s colourful culture, food and heritage with a more enriching experience for business meetings.” Some of the partaking hotels are Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel and Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel.

It feels like news out of Brisbane’s newest venue – The Calile Hotel – is abundant and unceasing, including its latest update that Jeremy Nordkamp will adopt the post of hotel general manager. Mr Nordkamp will bring to the role more than 10 years’ experience in hospitality management, including a stint as resort manager at Kandima Maldives. On his appointment, Mr Nordkamp said “The Calile Hotel will offer an urban resort experience like no other and I’m excited… to launch it.”

The shotgun has sounded to Luxperience 2018, which held its opening ceremony last night in Merivale’s ivy ballroom. Guests were treated to a keynote by Dr Jordan Nguyen, who explored the perennial topic of ‘thinking outside the box’, and the recipients of the Luxperience 2018 Awards were revealed, including Saffron Travels, Vietnam for the Inspiring Award and Hands Up Holidays, United Kingdom for the Meaningful Award. Today, visitors and buyers will gather at the ICC Sydney for the first day of business appointments.

The Perth Convention Bureau is delighted to reveal it has exceeded its target of $137.74 million in direct delegate expenditure, securing $141.8 million for the immediate past financial year 2017/18. In the PCB’s second KPI, industry financial contribution, it secured $1.79 million in industry financial support, exceeding the target of $1.68 million. This places PCB as one of the highest industry supported bureau in Australia.