Daily News & Opinion

USA pro-surfers Matt Griggs and Taylor Knox have joined forces to offer the Mind, Body and Surf Retreat in the Maldives this September. Through his company ‘The Nature of Success’ Matt is offering executives the chance to step away from their stresses for nine days and build on their skills on land and at sea. “With the amazing waves of the Maldives as the backdrop, this trip is really about developing your mind to have less stress,” he said.

The South Australian government last week announced its intention to drive more high-yielding business events to Adelaide in the next two years. Adelaide Convention Bureau’s CEO Damien Kitto said the increasing popularity of Adelaide’s events and entertainment precincts show no signs of abating. “We’re thrilled to report Adelaide will host 13 events over 1000+ delegates in 2018 and 10-15 1000+ delegate events in 2019.  We are also on the cusp of announcing more incentive tours,” he said.

ICC Sydney met with PCO representatives for an industry update and to promote peer-to-peer collaboration. The event allowed ICC Sydney to update PCOs on event planning, food and beverage, technology and its multi-streamed Legacy Program. ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy said the precinct’s client success in its first year had a strong correlation with PCOs. “Alongside our stand-out facilities, the support of PCOs and our people resulted in a delegate satisfaction rating of 95 per cent,” he said.

AVANI Hotels and Resorts launched its new brand extension AVANI+ with the opening of its first hotel in Luang Prabang, Laos, on March 1, 2018. Situated by the Mekong River and Royal Palace, the hotel offers speciality restaurants, rooftop bars and a range of indoor and outdoor conference spaces for up to 30 participants. The option to host a catered board meeting aboard a floating vessel or in a courtyard under boughs of century-old banyan are also available.

A shout out goes to one of our own –Cheeky Food Events MD Leona Watson who is to share her tips and digital marketing expertise at the City of Sydney’s new free seminar series for businesses, Small Business Digital 101. The first in a four-part series, ‘Learn to grow your audience using Google’ it will be held at Customs House on March 28. It’s designed to give businesses access to experts from Google, Facebook, Instagram and WeChat, alongside successful small business owners.  

As part of Monte Carlo Resort and Casino’s transformation, a reimagined venue within the new Park MGM – The Madison Meeting Center is now booking groups from this May. The first of its kind in Las Vegas, the 10,000 sqf conference center offers 10 flexible rooms able to accommodate varying layouts ideal for classroom-style training and cater to customised meetings for groups from 10 to 50 people. The all-inclusive pricing allows meeting planners to pay a flat rate per attendee.  

Marnie Craig with a strong sales background and strengths in relationship management, customer and member relations, commercial acumen, and leading change, has been appointed the new CEO of Business Events Tasmania (BET). Currently the Housing Industry Association’s national marketing and communications project manager, she will continue to drive Tasmania’s share of business events and the related economic and social benefits for the State. O

Gold Coast Tourism say an estimated $1.2 million would be generated directly into the local economy when the sixth bi-annual Global Wave Conference is held at Coolangatta in 2020. The five-day conference is expected to attract up to 400 experts from around the world.  Announced at the GWC in California, Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve chairman Andrew McKinnon, said, ““This will be a hugely significant year for surfing and riding the Olympic wave of momentum.”