From October this year organisers of business events will have 30 million new reasons to consider Canberra for their upcoming conferences, corporate and strategy meetings. That’s when the National Convention Centre will reveal its $30 million upgrade to the world.
According to the pre-opening publicity the new National Convention Centre (pictured above) will provide conference delegates with a unique experience of Canberra with a ‘Sense of Canberra’ as a prime focus. Works will include:
• Improvements to technology, security and catering which will deliver contemporary function standards.
• A more flexible and accessible floorplan for the centre to better cater for conferences of more than 600 delegates.
• A sense of ‘arrival in Canberra’ which will be created by works performed on Constitution Avenue and City Walk, entrances to the centre, and to the foyer and lobby.
• New technology infrastructure which will provide facilities required for the centre’s core conference market to enable operation and capacity for video conferencing.
• New security infrastructure which will provide the capacity to lock down the centre - now an essential requirement for many government and corporate clients.
• An additional lift and new staircase which will improve movement of people throughout the centre and improve access for people with disabilities.
• A new moveable drapes system leading to the Royal Theatre which will enable more flexibility in the use of the space.
The brand spanking new convention centre for Canberra is in line with a series of upgrades and new additions for the city, which is placing it firmly as a destination of choice for those serious about meetings.
VirginBlue sees strong potential in the market, recently announcing it would open an airport lounge in Canberra as part of its plan to capture a greater share of business, especially the government market. Canberra was apparently selected as the next destination for “The Lounge” in response to demand from government and business guests who use the airport, and in response to requests from existing members of “The Lounge” as their preferred location for Virgin Blue’s next facility.
Virgin Blue is scheduled to open Canberra’s “The Lounge” by September, 2007 allowing guests travelling to Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, the opportunity to spend time working or relaxing between flights in a modern, business friendly environment.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “We made a decision to increase our appeal to the value and quality-conscious corporate market. The lounges are part of that plan, particularly in Canberra where we aim to increase our share of Federal Government travel.”
“We recognise that to do that, we need to offer not only affordable fares and great service but also appropriate facilities.”
The Hotel Heritage is one quiet achiever in Canberra that has been performing exceptionally well in 2007. In March this year the venue hosted the Authority of Public Surveyors Conference. This conference was a full residential conference with the large majority of delegates staying in-house. The group booked out five of the seven function rooms of the hotel, with conferencing and exhibitions throughout the day for 200 delegates, and a formal three course dinner in the evening.
This month (August) they are hosting the Saytha Sai Organisation of Australia and PNG Conference. This is a unique conference in that the hotel’s executive chef has to design a full vegetarian menu for three days for 150 people.
Business is also looking strong beyond 2007. One notable event is The Australian Church Women’s National Conference in 2009. This will be a week-long full residential conference for approximately 100 women from all around Australia.
Hotel Heritage is located in the suburb of Narrabundah. The hotel is a 3.5-star courtyard property with 207 rooms. Located 10 minutes from the city and airport, it backs onto the Federal Golf Course.
Your sports institute!
Everyone knows that the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) (pictured above) is a world leader in the sporting arena. But did you know that the AIS also excels everyday as a unique event destination? Whether it’s a boardroom meeting for 10, team-building for 100 or a gala dinner for 1200, the AIS is a distinct venue where champions are created, world records are broken and expectations are exceeded.
Only minutes from Canberra’s city centre, the AIS boasts an experienced events team and more than 12 inspiring event venues and spaces, ensuring that every event is one to remember.
Being the home of Australian sport, sports-themed events are their speciality. Your next gala dinner could begin with cocktails in Sportex, the Institute’s interactive sports exhibition. Or let your guests earn their dessert with a quick game of volleyball with the AIS volleyball team!
Events with a difference are the speciality of the AIS events team. This was an important reason for the ACT Brumbies recently choosing the AIS to host their annual “State of the Union” Rugby Luncheon.
With more than 450 guests, the Brumbies required both a large and flexible venue for this signature event. Rugby legends Stirling Mortlock and Nathan Sharpe were among a number of high profile speakers present for the event.
Commercial manager for the ACT Brumbies, Steve Gregory, said the size and flexibility of the AIS Arena was an important factor in relocating the event.
“We needed to source a venue that was firstly big enough to hold a crowd in excess of 450 people and have adequate parking,” he explains.
“We also needed a space that could accommodate specific theming, and that was flexible to our many unique needs. The AIS met all our expectations and proved to be a very professional and ambient environment for our event. We will certainly consider AIS for future Brumbies Rugby events.”
In October the venue will play host to the 17th Annual Meeting of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. This three-day conference for 400 delegates is the first time the event has been held in the southern hemisphere.
Another mover and shaker in the Canberra meetings scene in recent times has been the Marque Hotel, launching a “spice up your arrival” concept and devising a new range of premium noodle box lunches. Following a hail storm in February and flooding to the conference and public areas hotel owners took the opportunity to upgrade these areas. All walls have been repainted in the conference centre and now have a fresh, bright, neutral colour. New furniture has arrived at the hotel, giving the property additional seating options for delegates while giving the environment a fresh modern feel. The new furniture includes: couches around our the property’s open fireplace, new tables and chairs for the restaurant where delegate lunches are served, and large square ottomans for the lobby and pre function conference spaces. This furniture, like the conference area, is flexible and can be tailored to the requirements of any conference.
The Marque Hotel has held some large corporate events in the past few months including the:
• Telstra Roadshow Breakfast (May 2007, 150 - 200 delegates)
• Indigenous Women’s Leadership Conference (December 2006, 100 - 150 delegates)
• Numerous government learning seminars run by organisations including Liquid Learning (throughout 2007, 80 - 100 delegates)
Future events being held at the hotel include the GM Holden Roadshow (August 2007, 50-100 delegates), the Annual National Building Designers Conference (March 2008, 100-200 delegates), and the annual National Pyschogeriatric Nurses’ Conference (October 2008, 100-200 delegates).
 
Q. How long have you lived in Canberra?
A. I have lived in a number of cities on the east coast of Australia and always come back to Canberra. All up, I have lived here for over 20 years and have watched it grow into a dynamic and vibrant city and I just love it!
Q. What changes have you seen during that time?
A. Canberra has changed so much, especially in recent years. I feel lucky enough to have experienced some of those recent changes first hand, by starting to work for the National Museum of Australia while it was still under construction in 2000. Canberra has evolved into a thriving city while still holding on to its most beautiful qualities.
Q. What’s something that meeting and event planners may not know about the destination?
A. Opportunity to draw on resources from government and research institutions as a source of speakers or for lobbying purposes.
• Access to the Press Gallery at Parliament House to raise the national media profile .
• A newly refurbished convention centre right in the city.
• Appropriate hotel and serviced apartment options all in close proximity.
• Access to national icons and unique venues.
Q. Best restaurant?
A. Canberra has so many fantastic restaurants, West Row in the city has a few great restaurants to choose from. My favourite is Axis at the National Museum of Australia.
Q. Best bar
A. The word on the street is that many locals head to the inner north suburb of O’Conner to All Bar Nun. It serves great beers on tap in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Closer to the city and very popular is a funky spot called Debacle and one of my favourites is the B Bar in Kingston.
Q. Best place to bag a bargain?
A. You don’t have to venture out of the city because Canberra boasts the newly extended Canberra Centre, which offers fantastic shopping.
Q. What are some must-dos for conference and event delegates?
A. A private viewing of the National Museum of Australia after hours is a real treat.
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