The recently released Queensland Business Events Survey for the period July 2006 to June 2007 has found the number of meetings which included an overnight stay in the region increased by 84 per cent.
Further, it also showed there was an 81 per cent increase in the number of delegates who came to events in the region from within Australia or overseas, and delegate days increased by a staggering 63 per cent than in the previous year. With results like these it’s not surprising to learn that Cairns was rated as the number three location in Australia for hosting major international conventions in 2006 (with Sydney and Melbourne the leading cities).
Business tourism contributes in excess of $100 million directly and indirectly $350 million into the region’s economy each year with business tourism visitors one of the highest yielding inbound tourism segments. National and international marketing of the destination is clearly paying dividends, as is the region’s hugely successful Cairns & Region Convention Bureau’s ‘Sell TNQ’ program which was again a big hit in 2007.
35 qualified, key business tourism buyers were carefully selected for Sell TNQ 2007, many of whom have already confirmed business for the region. The Sell TNQ concept incorporates a familiarisation program with a workshop component and is one of the most highly organised and successful business tourism events most buyers have attended.
Sell TNQ 2007 opened with a cocktail party held on board Quicksilver’s Agincourt Reef vessel and buyers were graciously welcomed by Rob Giason, TTNQ’s Chief Executive Officer and Queensland’s Minister for Tourism, The Honourable Desley Boyle who gave a very vibrant and passionate speech about the destination and made it perfectly clear, they can bung on any event - ‘fancy, wild, amazing with style!’ Desley finished by asking the question ‘when was the last time you did something for the first time? Well, anything is possible in TNQ!’
Workshops were held the following day in Port Douglas where buyers met operators on a very civilized one-on-one appointment program split between two venues (Sea Temple Resort & Spa and Rydges Sabaya Resort Port Douglas), where they were able to learn more about the region and the opportunities available for their future events. Sell TNQ is a unique event which reflects how Cairns & Region Convention Bureau and local operators in the region work as a very cohesive team which is obviously part of the secret to their success. So obvious was this ‘team work’ buyers made these comments ‘it was obvious from the start that the suppliers really do work together as a region and genuinely love what they do’ (Leanne Zeid, ID Meetings & Events). ‘The passion and obvious pride in the region is evident. I was impressed by how closely the operators work together to create packages to combine the best of their products rather than competing against each other’ (Tamara Bracht, Directions)
During the three-day event, buyers were also able to sample the region’s hospitality first-hand, which included coach transfers by one of Australia’s top-class operators – Down Under Tours with their unmatched modern and high-quality vehicles, lunch and massage at the newly opened resort Rydges Sabaya Resort Port Douglas (having completed a multi-million dollar re-development), some took to the skies with GBR Helicopter Group, to see Port Douglas from an aerial perspective, there were cocktails and dinner at Silky Oaks Lodge with a stunning set up by Off-Site Connections, a deluxe outer reef experience with Quicksilver Group, “Breakfast with the Birds” at Rainforest Habitat and an encounter and lunch with the crocs at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. The final gala dinner was hosted by Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas with theming by Stageworks, then Sell TNQ finished with breakfast the following morning with an inspirational talk by Yossi Ghinsberg. Accommodation was generously provided by Silky Oaks Lodge, Thala Beach Lodge, Sea Temple Resort & Spa and Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas. Post touring incorporated Palm Cove and Cairns. Many buyers commented about their ‘most memorable moment’, ‘the team’s ability to react to the adverse weather and move to Plan B – it was brilliant’. ‘Dinner at Silky Oaks was amazing – the setting, the quality of the food and wine was outstanding.’ ‘The way in which the industry worked together to hold wonderful events. The passion and product knowledge of the operators.’
Repeat business is growing according to the Cairns & Region Convention Bureau. An example of this from the past year was the return of the FoodWorks National Conference. This group of independently owned supermarket proprietors decided to come back to Tropical North Queensland in 2007 after their previous event was held in Palm Cove three years earlier. In 2007 the 450 delegates enjoyed the facilities of the Cairns International Hotel and the Sofitel Reef Casino during their five-day event.
The destination was also pleased to welcome a large Sydney-based events company, ICMS Australasia to the destination during 2007. With their enviable record for managing some of the largest and most complex conferences, exhibitions and special events ever held in this country it was testament to the quality of Tropical North Queensland’s business tourism product that the company chose this destination to hold its own company conference.
RECENT MAJOR BID WINS BY THE CRCB INCLUDE:
• Queensland Junior Rugby League Championships 2008
• ISAE 2009
• National Hash Bash 2009
• Adult Learning Australia
• Family Business Australia
• 3-D Paint Stores
• Destination Britain 2008
• Travellers Choice 2008
Sell TNQ 2008 is scheduled for October 2008 with workshops being held in Cairns and post-touring to be in Port Douglas and Palm Cove. Registrations will open in July. Keep an eye out for more information.
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