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Canberra had plenty of great things going for it already without some of the latest and greatest new attractions, experiences and product coming on-line in 2007.
As the home to Australia’s Federal Government, Canberra has always been the place to go to get things done. And the good news is that many politicians love events. They love going to openings of events, gala dinners, charity auctions, and product launches. And the fact is that even though they are very busy people, they can and do make time to add some weight to conferences, meetings and events.
But that’s not the only reason to consider Canberra. The national capital is also home to far more than politicians and powerbrokers. Consider for a moment the cultural sector. The National Gallery is here (of course), and there is a new portrait gallery under construction right now. The science museum Questacon is located in Canberra, and how can anyone forget the Australian War Memorial – a simply stunning venue with some wonderful new displays and experiences.
And what of sport? Canberra is home to the Australian Institute of Sport. This amazing venue is a destination in its own right, and continues to play host to some great events.
And what of education? The Australian National University is recognised internationally as a seat of learning and innovation.
All these and more combine to what CEO of the Canberra Convention Bureau, Robyn Hendry, calls Canberra’s “knowledge centres”.
“The trend is nobody thinks business travel is fun anymore. People aren’t just popping off to conferences to fill in their time. Having this rich depth of substance in Canberra is really adding value to the content of business events. And this is where we are going,” she says.
“As a bureau, while we know about the hospitality and the entertainment and all the things we love about events, the bureau’s future is going to be much more involved in knowing about the research and knowledge hubs we have here [in Canberra] and using our national institutions to add specific and precise value to business events. It’s really about being strategic and clever with the use of the resources we have here.”
A $300 million upgrade of the airport, a $100 million revamp of the National Gallery, a new Portrait Gallery, expansion of Questacon, and investment in new buildings for the Department of Defence, Federal Police and ASIO are testament to the growth and development of Canberra as a whole, and is only good news for the business events industry.
Visit www.canberraconvention.com.au for further details on holding business events in Canberra.
 
“Really impressed with the facilities and variety,” a “strong venue” and “great catering” were just some of the praise 25 conference and meeting organisers heaped on the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) when visiting for a recent familiarisation.
The AIS is an iconic venue in Canberra which throughout 2007 hosted a range of events including grand gala dinners, sports-themed lunches, conferences, expos and more.
A familiarisation organised in conjunction with the Canberra Convention Bureau included a visit to Sportex, the AIS’s interactive sports exhibition space. Sportex is a perfect cocktail venue where up to 120 guests can try their hand at basketball, virtual rowing, football penalty shoot-outs, skateboarding and even rock climbing. It really is surprising how much fun you can have in high heels or suits!
Among the familiarisation guests was travel co-ordinator for the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Sarah Smith, a previous client of the AIS.
“The Grains Research and Development Corporation held a conference at the AIS in 2005, which included using Sportex, and we would highly recommend the venue,” she said.
A unique offering of the AIS is that guests can get up-close and personal with AIS athletes, coaches and sports scientists.
Familiarisation guests certainly took advantage of this, when AIS volleyballer Will Thwaite and AIS netballer Melanie Kitchin escorted the group around some of the many event venues.
Crowne Plaza Canberra
Overlooking landscaped gardens and the historic elms of Glebe Park, Crowne Plaza Canberra is located in the heart of Australia’s capital city. Minutes from the central business district, shops and restaurants, Crowne Plaza can cater for up to 120 guests either at a meeting, conference or dinner. The 4.5 star hotel has 295 accommodation rooms and is also located next door to the Casino Canberra and the National Convention Centre. For more information telephone (02) 6247 8999 or visit www.crowneplaza.com.au
 National Convention Centre
The National Convention Centre is Canberra’s only purpose-built venue and underwent a $30 million upgrade which was completed in late 2007. The upgrade included creation of a new kitchen, décor, fixtures and fittings, and new audio visual technology. But more than this, it has refreshed the venue, bringing it up to modern standards with subtle changes and careful, considered design additions. With the additional facilities of the Crowne Plaza Canberra, the complex caters for events of five to 2500 delegates. It features five theatres, seven flat floor rooms, exhibition space of 2400 square metres which can house 120 standard booths, a ballroom and plenty of boardrooms. For more information telephone Crowne Plaza Canberra on (02) 6257 4905 or visit www.nccc.com.au.
Novotel Canberra
As the city’s premier four-star hotel the Novotel Canberra, located in the heart of the CBD and retail precinct, is only eight kilometres from Canberra Airport. The hotel features 197 rooms and six conference rooms, plus a range of excellent corporate and leisure facilities including a heated pool, gym, business centre, the lovely Blue Dish Restaurant and Tonic Bar. For more information telephone (02) 6245 5000 or email the hotel’s conference and marketing department at H2796-SB01@accor.com
Rydges Capital Hill
Rydges Capital Hill is situated in the prestigious Parliamentary Triangle and is within walking distance to the fashionable shopping and café district of Manuka. The hotel features 186 guest rooms including 37 suites with spas. Its conference facilities include 10 meeting rooms catering for up to 300 people, extra break-out space, private dining rooms and a grand marquee for special events. The hotel’s all-day dining includes the Fig Tree Café while it’s bar InBARgo is open six days a week. For more information telephone (02) 6295 3144, email reservations_capitalhill@rydges.com or visit www.rydges.com/capitalhill. /
Portrait Gallery
The new National Portrait Gallery is presently under construction and due for completion at the end of this year. Located on King Edward Terrace and bounded by the High Court of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia, it will have a gross floor area of approximately 14,000 square metres. The gallery will provide a permanent display of 500 portraits of people who have shaped Australia and who continue to shape our nation. It will comprise gallery spaces for the collection and temporary exhibitions, art storage, and public areas including a café, function room, theatrette, education and schools group areas, and car parking.
Located at the footsteps of Parliament House, Hotel Realm is part of a mixed-uses precinct within the parliamentary triangle. The property offers 158 hotel and suite style accommodation rooms complimented by an in-house day spa, state-of-the-art gymnasium, Evo Health Club, and a variety of dining options. Combining contemporary elegance with avant-garde design, Hotel Realm is said to be “effortlessly chic”.
Hotel Realm offers meeting and event planners a conference venue incorporating cutting-edge technology and extensive natural light. It has a ballroom with a seating capacity of 800 delegates theatre style, which can also be divided into four functional spaces all with balconies.
With more than 16 function rooms to choose from Hotel Realm can cater for small intimate functions to large corporate events.
At Hotel Realm delegates will find themselves surrounded by the nation’s cultural icons including the National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia and Old Parliament House. Lake Burley Griffin is just a short stroll away along with the many restaurants, bars and cafes of Canberra’s most popular villages Manuka and Kingston.
Canberra’s business events industry prides itself on its can-do attitude. And it’s the business events fraternity that works hard at getting the job done for events of all shapes and sizes. mice.net thought it appropriate to profile some of the hard-working individuals in Canberra who give readers their spin on their destination.
 BEVERLY ROBINSON
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
HYATT HOTEL CANBERRA
Having spent four years as a corporate trainer and seven years as a PCO before joining Hyatt, Bev has an intimate understanding of the needs of business travellers and conference delegates.
“We understand that every meeting is different, and ensuring that we understand your objectives and constraints is fundamental to us being able to offer viable suggestions and local input to enhance your program,” she says.
“When I announced that I was relocating from Hyatt Regency Coolum to Hyatt Hotel Canberra a lot of people thought I had sunstroke. As it turned out most of those ready to condemn my move had never been to Canberra!
“Canberra offers MICE clients the conveniences of a city with a special blend of intimacy. The 1920’s charm of Hyatt Hotel Canberra is evident from the minute you are greeted by the uniformed concierge staff, through the elegance of the Tea Lounge and of course the magnificent architecture of the building. It’s a challenge for guests to decipher where the original building ends and the award-winning 1980’s extension starts.
“We offer all of the facilities required by today’s conference delegate – dedicated banquet facilities, luxuriously appointed guest rooms, internet, cable television, health club, restaurant and in-room dining. Yet right outside our doors are parks, the lake, wildlife, the opportunity to immerse yourself in some of this country’s most significant cultural institutions, and less than 45 minutes away are wonderful wineries.
“One of the biggest challenges for today’s PCO is to provide something new each year. As the provider of catering services at three unique venues, Hyatt Hotel Canberra offers you solutions with the guarantee of five-star service. Your delegates can tour the galleries at the National Museum of Australia followed by dinner overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, dine under G for George at the Australian War Memorial, or banquet in the seat of power in the Great Hall of Parliament House. Now there are three suggestions that will make people remember Canberra.”
 CARLA HUETTER
DIRECTOR OF SALES
CANBERRA CONVENTION BUREAU
“Many people asked me, “Carla, why Canberra?” Choosing to move, and now living in Canberra, I can absolutely say that perception is not reality.
“Canberra as a conference destination is not for everyone. It is not a Sydney or Melbourne or Gold Coast. It stands proud in its own right for very sound reasons – namely, it is our nation’s capital and by nature of who we are and where we are, Canberra offers a distinguished delegate experience second to none.
“Canberra is a conference destination of choice – the choice to;
• raise an organisation to a new level of prestige and national awareness;
• communicate key messages to those who have the power to evoke political and legislative change;
• conference in a compact and business-focused environment without being frantic;
• leverage conference content involving the capital’s elite research and learning institutions;
• acquaint participants with Australia’s cultural, social and historical past and present.
“ Canberra is unquestionably a savvy conference decision. These national capital attributes combined with the cut and thrust of the new political landscape following a change of Australian Government, and Canberra’s flourishing development, have lifted the city’s vibrancy to a new level.
“The National Convention Centre recently reopened after a $30million refurbishment. We welcome the new high-end hotel accommodation already online and look forward to more to come in the next two years – adding another 600 rooms to the city. There are also increased flight schedules, new airline carriers, more shops, more restaurants and new national attractions… exciting times ahead. The destination supports your event objectives.
“And living here? Well, between the restaurants, shops, museums, galleries, parks, lakes, wineries, events, markets and nine minute drive to the office in peak hour (!), Canberra is the place to be.”
 MEGAN CONVINE
MANAGER CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
CONFERENCE COORDINATORS
“Over the past 13 years Conference Coordinators has run conferences and exhibitions all over Australia. I always enjoy the opportunity of showcasing the city and its unique attractions and venues.
“We usually convince clients to hold their event in Canberra when they want an experience they will find in no other city in Australia. When our clients discover the variety of experiences available in the national capital they are absolutely amazed.
“Whilst the variety and choice of venues available for dinners and partner tours is excellent, they are genuinely impressed with the quality of the city’s iconic attractions.
“Many of our clients also take advantage of Canberra’s national capital status by meeting with Members of Parliament and sometimes hosting cocktail functions for our elected representatives. These often coincide with a special address by a key Minister.
“We have found the national attractions very co-operative in assisting with the logistics of tours and functions and their ‘behind the scenes’ or special guided tours are a real treat for delegates and partners.
“Distances in Canberra are short adding to the city’s appeal.”
 PAUL SHAW
DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
CROWNE PLAZA CANBERRA AND NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE
Paul Shaw moved to Australia from the UK in July 2007 to re-launch Canberra’s new event venue showpiece and jewel in the crown, the refurbished National Convention Centre. During this time he has assisted in planning for the Chief Minister’s official opening of the venue, communicated the benefits of the NCC and Canberra to the media and potential customers, conducted numerous PCO presentations, started designing a new website and new sales collateral and even staged a sausage sizzle for local taxi drivers!
A major part of Paul’s role is supporting his sales and revenue team to drive business into Canberra and the NCC. Paul sees it as a huge advantage that the NCC is managed by IHG as they have amazing resources to train, coach and mentor their employees. He has assembled a very dynamic and enthusiastic group of people to work together to promote Canberra and drive business to the NCC.
Paul says this method works very effectively and he has had some great results and excellent feedback from many customers.
Event organisers are attracted to the NCC because it is a well designed, flexible and self-contained venue.
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