This November, the Sunshine Coast will play host to three key tourism events: The Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Indigenous Tourism Forum, the DestinationQ Forum and the Queensland Tourism Awards gala ceremony. Together, these events represent the largest tourism industry gathering in Queensland and the third year these events have been scheduled in the same week. Combined, the events will attract 600 tourism industry leaders to the region.
What a hat-trick!
The winners for MEA’s state awards across a range of categories have begun to hit our inboxes. Up in Queensland, the BCEC was awarded the dual titles of ‘Meeting, Exhibition or Event Venue – Capacity more than 500’ and ‘Banqueting & Catering’. Arinex’s Ashleigh Duggan took out the MEA Future Leader for Qld accolade. At the Victorian awards night, the MCEC was named winner in the ‘Banqueting and Catering’ category, while in NSW this title was awarded to Sydney Showground.
The venues good at banqueting and catering seem particularly eager to tell us.
A raft of summer events held recently in Christchurch have pumped an estimated $15 million into the local economy. Among the events were Phil Collins’ concert at Christchurch Stadium, which attracted 25,000 people, and the BlackClash match at Hagley Oval, which generated close to 4000 visitor nights. The city is continuing to solidify its place as a reliable host city with the recent opening of the Christchurch Town Hall and next year’s launch of Te Pae convention centre.
Anyone else attending the famil in Christchurch after CINZ Meetings?
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has recognised Hilton’s commitment to gender equality with an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation. From the 140 organisations to be recognised, Hilton was the only employer from the hospitality sector. As part of its effort towards bridging the gap, Hilton developed a Women in Leadership program which has assisted 140 female team leaders and seen 26 per cent promoted or transferred across the organisation.
Paris would be so proud.
Winner of the inaugural Tourism Australia scholarship Ms Georgie Chapman-Burgess will head to Tokyo next week to attend the Asia-Pacific Conference of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). Georgie will be joined by an all-woman Australian delegation, including EEAA CEO Joyce DiMascio, BDM of ICC Sydney Helen Mantellato and CEO of Info-Salons Group Jo-Anne Kelleway. On her imminent trip, Ms Burgess said “I am honoured… and am keen to learn what challenges our industry will face in the future.”
It’s heartening to hear of an all-woman delegation representing Australia, on today of all days.
Catering 2 Go is Stamford Plaza Adelaide’s new takeaway catering product, born from a collaboration with food delivery giant Uber Eats. Ideal for external catering for corporate and private bookings with between 10 and 200 people, the product involves individual boxes containing South Australian produce. Some of the bites on offer include churros with chocolate and fruits, mini burger sliders, high tea and Stamford’s signature curry puffs.
Nice to see a hotel getting with the times.
Following its acquisition of 50 per cent of sbe, Accor has announced the location of its first property under the luxury lifestyle Hyde brand: the Gold Coast. Hyde Paradiso, an all-day venue that will evolve into a lounge and dining experience by night, and take design cues from LA’s Sunset Strip, will open later this month. The sbe portfolio is slated to grow to over 50 hotels by 2020.
Unfortunately the press release was scant on guest room, function space and other venue details, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted as updates come to light.
As part of a significant redevelopment project in Sydney’s southern suburbs, a 124-room Travelodge property has begun construction in Hurstville. The development comes as part of a major re-development of the Illawarra Catholic Club, with other updates including a rooftop restaurant, a ballroom and a generous meetings area. TFE Hotels’ CEO Anthony Ritch said the company was entering a stage of incredible growth, with Travelodge Hurstville marking the nineteenth Travelodge under TFE’s management.
Who knows? Hurstville could become the next meetings hot spot.