The Coffs Coast was recently inundated with more than 6000 “bikies” visiting the region for the Ulysses Club’s 2007 annual general meeting (AGM) and tradeshow. Around 6115 members registered and attended the AGM and 520-plus trade representatives attended the tradeshow to display and represent their goods and services. The week-long event not only included the tradeshow and formal meetings, but also a grand street parade, weddings and other festivities. A major challenge for organisers of the event, Coffs Coast Ulysses and Coffs Coast Marketing, was hosting the AGM gala dinner for around 4500 members. This was achieved by hiring a 125-by-50 metre marquee, contracting a special events caterer, entertainment contractor and recruiting an army of volunteers to help manage the serving of members. All 4500 diners were served their main course in just one hour. Afterwards a night of fun and frivolity was enjoyed by all on the 20-by-30 metre dance floor.
The 5th International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting recently held at the Cairns Convention Centre attracted 2000 delegates from around the world in its first foray outside North America. Organisers had expected 1200 attendees. However, Cairns proved its status as an attractive, world-class meetings destination resulting in increased delegate numbers. Three years ago the Australian Stem Cell Centre successfully bid with the Cairns Convention Centre to bring the 5th ISSCR to Australia. Public affairs director of the Australian Stem Cell Centre, Michelle Singe, said it was very difficult to convince an American-centric organisation to move a major annual meeting out of the United States for the first time. “The location and attraction of Cairns and the convention centre clinched the deal. Our successful bid relied heavily on the natural attractions of tropical North Queensland and the world-class convention centre,” she said.
George P. Johnson, one of the leading global experience marketing agencies, has appointed Helen Watts as a creative director, further expanding the senior creative team. Helen joins George P. Johnson with a wealth of experience having held senior creative roles in event management and advertising over the past 20 years. Most recently she worked freelance for Capital Events and OutLoud in a creative capacity. Prior to this she was the creative director of Melbourne-based advertising agency, WAM Advertising.
Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), Sandra Chipchase, was recently elected as the new President of BestCities Global Alliance at the annual meeting at IMEX in April 2007. BestCities is a Global Alliance of convention bureaux that deliver the world’s best service experience for meeting planners. The alliance was founded in 2000 by Melbourne, Boston, Copenhagen, Edinburgh and Vancouver and has since expanded to include Dubai, San Juan and Singapore. The vision of the alliance is to be recognised globally for being innovative and setting and delivering the world’s best convention bureau practices for the meetings industry.
Holiday Inn hotels are once again set to support the celebration of extraordinary Australians after signing on for a seventh year as Official Hotel Partner to the National Australia Day Council’s (NADC) Australian of the Year Awards 2008. The search for the 2008 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero across the country will involve months of nominations and consideration. Holiday Inn hotels throughout Australia will be home for the many judges and nominees in the national search for and lead up to the final announcement of winners on Australia Day 2008.
The Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau ended the 2006-07 financial year on a high note announcing its most successful results to date, a budget boost and three new bid wins. Brisbane Marketing director of business development and AACB Vice-President, Mr Paul Lewin said the 2006-07 financial year had been an extremely successful year for the bureau and Brisbane’s business tourism scene. “The bureau recorded its best financial year for business events attraction to date – registering 27 bid wins, 244 requests for proposals and 2000 requests for information,” Mr Lewin said. Furthermore, while Sydney and Melbourne’s rankings declined, Brisbane jumped 24 places to claim 56th spot in the 2006 International Congress and Convention Association city rankings. Mr Lewin said the good news continued with Brisbane City Council granting the bureau additional funding to expand its efforts in the lucrative international association sector in the 2007-08 financial year.
Sydney Seaplanes has launched direct charter flights from Rose Bay to the Hunter Valley with the introduction of a new long-range amphibious aircraft, bringing one of Australia’s finest wine regions within 30 minutes of Sydney Harbour. The new flights revive the spirit of Rose Bay’s early role in Australian aviation history and introduce a new choice of fly-dine and fly-stay packages to the Sydney Seaplanes range of expeditions. The Hunter Valley charters have been made possible by the purchase of a new turbo-prop Cessna Caravan, providing a faster, quieter flight and a longer range. The 12-passenger aircraft can operate from both land or water and will make use of Cessnock Airport in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine district.
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