ACTE's Australasia Education Conference - Sydney

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives’ (ACTE) is pleased to announce its 1st Australasia Educational Conference being held in
Sydney Australia, 5-6 December 2012.
 

We understand that the procurement and management of a travel program is not a simple task. Comprising many components, travel interacts with most areas of an organisation, has increasing duty of care responsibilities and is constantly under pressure to extract greater value.

ACTE’s much anticipated 1 ½ day educational conference will bring the region’s business travel community together to provide you with real strategies to tackle these challenges and assist you with running a reliable, streamlined and cost effective travel program that is well matched to your organisation’s culture, requirements and legislative responsibilities.

Conference Highlights Include:
»	Participate in education sessions focused on key business travel matters. Sessions posted shortly!
»	Listen to thought provoking speakers who will share their insights and ideas about the direction of business travel and how this can potentially assist your travel program objectives and its travellers.
»	Connect with professionals who share similar challenges and who too are trying to find solutions to their travel requirements.
»	Enjoy the exclusive après sessions which will maximize the delights of the host city’s beautiful Harbour during the warm daylight-saving December temperatures.

Steering Committee:

• Rebecca Bellamy, Senior Relationship Manager - Procurement PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Michelle Crutcher, Vice President - Strategic Sourcing and Category Management Citigroup 
• Simon Dodd, Manager Sales Strategy & Government QBT 
• Georgie Farmer, Global Service Delivery Manager Microsoft
• Elizabeth Ford, Director of Corporate Sales - Australia Accor
• Stuart Hunter, Director, Account Manager Egencia 
• Brian Jeffreys, Group Procurement Manager - ICT Boral
• Aileen London, Senior Manager Global Meeting Services APAC Oracle 
• Doug Marcotte, Global Lead - Travel & Corporate Card Macquarie Group
• Lachlan McEwen, Director Customer Value APAC ConTgo 
• Kenneth Phua, Business Development Manager Flightworld American Express 
• Phil Robinson, Head of Sales Diners Club Australia
• Michael Thorburn, Director of Sales & Marketing Serko  

Australia is the Ultimate Incentive: Business Events Australia

With some 90-plus per cent of surveyed Americans saying they have always wanted to go to Australia, Business Events Australia is confident that Australia is in good stead to incentivize employees.

e-Travel Blackboard was on location at last week’s IMEX America in Las Vegas, where regional general manager Daryl Hudson shared findings of a recent study revealing that Australia is the number one desired incentive destination for Corporate End Users, after cash incentives.

The survey also saw American event organizers list Australia as a once in a lifetime experience for many delegates.

“We are thus in a good position to play an important role in incentivizing employees to achieve and to win that Australian trip,” Mr Hudson said.

With Australia’s diverse array of destination offerings, its ability to make conducting business a breeze and its strong aviation linkages to North America, Mr Hudson told e-Travel Blackboard he wwas pleased with the enquiries at the inaugural IMEX America, symptomatic of the country’s overall performance.

According to Mr Hudson, Australia had a great year for business events in 2010, a success that has been maintained into 2011.

“We saw an overall 19 percent increase of business in 2010 over 2009 from the United States.

“Up until June this year (which is the latest data we have available), we saw a three per cent increase in the convention and conference arrivals and a nine per cent increase in total business arrivals.”

The US is Australia’s second largest source market for business events after Commonwealth neighbor, New Zealand.

Next month Business Events Australia will host fifteen US delegates at Dreamtime, Tourism Australia’s premier incentive showcase.

(Source: eTravelblackboard.com)

Sydney's Convention Centre a Step Closer

The NSW Government last week called for Expressions of Interest from the private sector to build and operate the facilities at Darling Harbour.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said Sydney was reclaiming its position on centre stage for hosting world-class events with the creation of the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment precinct.

“Developing these facilities so they match the best at home and abroad is part of the NSW Government’s single-minded determination to make NSW number one again,” Mr O’Farrell said.

For more information about the project and what it will include go to the new convention centre’s website

Sydney Aiming For ‘Record Year’

Sydney’s convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney) says it is well on its way to delivering 2011/12 results “above and beyond” the AU$186.5 million earned by the company the year before.

Just two months into the new fiscal year, BESydney has secured 34 events estimated to be worth AU$69 million to the New South Wales economy.

BESydney acting chief executive Lyn Lewis-Smith said the company’s strategies were “definitely paying off”.

“Aligning our bid focus to the NSW Government’s priority growth sectors and increasing our efforts within the Asian market have seen Sydney enjoy a very strong start to the financial year,” Ms Lewis-Smith commented.

As well as highlighting the economic benefits events brought to NSW, the acting BESydney boss pointed to the “opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking, and trade and investment” successful tenders produced.

“Business events bring like-minded professionals, often at the pinnacle of their field, to our doorstep and help to raise awareness of Australia’s intellectual capital,” she said.

“Beyond the tally of tourism receipts, business events deliver far-reaching legacies across sectors that will help to grow NSW’s future prosperity.”

BESydney head of bidding Virginia Loyola said the team was working towards “a record year”, calling the early results “really inspiring”.

“Hard work, coupled with a strong, clear vision, has resulted in good wins to date and there are more to come,” Ms Loyola remarked.

“Whether it’s securing international conferences, national conventions and symposiums, or incentive travel from the Asian market, Sydney is competing strongly as a global city and a leading business events destination.”

(Source: Source : e-Travel Blackboard)

Special Conferencing Offers from Metro Hotels

Hi there,

Metro Hotels is offering EventConnect.com subscribers some exclusive meetings and conferencing offers from a selection of their conveniently located venues around Australia.

In addition, by entering the Metro 123 booking code when you book your accommodation on their website, Metro Hotels will offer a further 10% discount to their best available rate for the day.

Happy Searching!

Aspire Hotel Sydney and Metro Hotel Sydney Central are offering a very special gift to all event organisers.

For all function and event bookings made and held at either venue during September, October and November 2011 the event organizer will receive one of 3 bonus gifts - from a portable DVD player, Tom Tom GPS System or Android Smartphone*.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is perfectly positioned within a short walk of Chinatown, Queen Victoria Building and Sydney’s shopping and entertainment precincts. With light rail and monorail just steps away your delegates can easily explore the CBD.
Whether you are planning a small business meeting for 2 or a theatre style conference for 140, the Metro Hotel Sydney Central events team can professionally tailor your event with an ‘all in one’ policy.

Click below for more information and confirm your next event.

The boutique Aspire Hotel Sydney is tucked into a quiet, tree-lined street just minutes away from the Darling Harbour Precinct and restaurants, Powerhouse and Sydney Maritime Museums, Star City Casino, Chinatown and the Sydney CBD.

Catering for up to 130 people all three natural light filled rooms are located on the ground floor offering easy accessability and with private access to the neighbouring Mary Ann Park your delegates can enjoy the benefits of a refreshing space for outdoor breaks, activities and catering.

Click the links below or contact the friendly events team for more information and to make your booking.

visit listing | email | 339kb offer | 1.9mb venue kit | +612 9211 1499

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is perfectly positioned within a short walk of Chinatown, Queen Victoria Building and Sydney’s shopping and entertainment precincts. With light rail and monorail just steps away your delegates can easily explore the CBD.

Whether you are planning a small business meeting for 2 or a theatre style conference for 140, the Metro Hotel Sydney Central events team can professionally tailor your event with an ‘all in one’ policy.

Business Events Sydney - Bid Announcments

Business Events Sydney have announced the following Bid Announcments:

Health Informatics Society of Australia National Conference (HIC)

Date: 2012
Delegates: 1,000 over 5 days
Estimated value: $3.3 million

The Health Informatics Society of Australia (HISA) aims to improve health through health informatics.

The conference is one of the Australian industry's leading communication vehicles for new e-health technologies and applications. The event brings together an influential audience of Australian healthcare decision makers and influencers to discuss health informatics research, developments and innovations that can transform healthcare in Australia.

E-health is a focus for the New South Wales Government with the 2006-2011 ICT Strategy and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) project.

Joint COMADEM Congress and Exhibition and Conference on Asset and Maintenance Management

Date: 2014
Delegates: 400 over 5 days
Estimated value: $2.3 million

The annual COMADEM congress covers all aspects of asset and maintenance management and is an essential event for industries, communities and governments with a focus on risk, reliability, safety and sustainability.

The Conference on Asset and Maintenance Management (CAMM) has only been held in Queensland to date.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) worked with the client to prepare and submit an Expression of Interest to the International Director of COMADEM. BESydney is also assisting with delegate boosting.

Society of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (SBN) Annual Meeting

Date: 2014
Delegates: 300 over 4 days
Estimated value: $947,800

SBN is an interdisciplinary scientific organisation dedicated to the study of hormonal processes and neuroendocrine systems that regulate behaviour. This has helped in the treatment of insomnia, the link between testosterone and aggression and how stress can affect the human body.

This meeting will be held in conjunction with the International Congress of Neuroendocrinology (ICN) in 2014 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. This will be the first time the congress has been held outside Europe or North America.

IEEE Multi-Conference on Systems and Control (MSC)

Date: 2015
Delegates: 400 over 3 days
Estimated value: $883,656

The IEEE Control Systems Society (CSS) is dedicated to advancing research, development, and practice in automation and control systems.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) first met with the client in 2009 to discuss the bid.

In 2010 BESydney was asked by CSS to submit a bid document for consideration. Argentina also submitted a bid. The client presented Sydney's proposal and the decision was made in July at the 2011 conference.

Mapúa World

Date: 2015
Delegates: 350 over 3 days
Estimated value: $691,446

The International Association of Mapúa Alumni is a non-profit organisation that aims to share information and ideas among former students and graduates of Mapúa Institute of Technology in Manila.

Held biennially, this event was developed by the International Association of Mapúa Alumni, Ontario (IAMAO) as a way to stay connected and build international relationships.

In early July, Business Events Sydney (BESydney) received confirmation that Sydney had been selected as the host city for 2015.

The association provided feedback on BESydney's presentation stating that it was extremely professional and raised the standard the association now expects.

$12 Million in Incentive Business Comes to Sydney

The Following Conference Events are scheduled to take place in Sydney in the next year or so:

AIA Thailand Annual Convention 2012

Date: 2012
Delegates: 2,000 over 4 days
Estimated value: $7.9 million

Business events Sydney (BESydney) has been building a relationship with the AIA Convention organisers since 2008.

In 2011 BESydney was asked to put forward a proposal for the convention and developed a presentation that showcased the harbour city as the perfect destination, giving new ideas for gala events and sharing some past experiences.

Melbourne also pitched for this annual convention.

Sydney has been selected as the successful destination.

Fubon Life Insurance Overseas Incentive 2011

Date: September 2011
Delegates: 600 over 5 days
Estimated value: $2.9 million

Fubon Life Insurance covers banking, insurance, asset management, real estate and telecommunications sectors. Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has built a strong relationship with Fubon's key senior management team, working with them since 2004.

Australia is a popular incentive destination for Taiwanese companies and BESydney successfully communicates how the new developments and activities in Sydney can inspire staff.

Fubon has two incentive groups, both of which are coming to Sydney in 2011. Final numbers, destinations and program itineraries will be announced in August.

The proposed itinerary includes a night in the Blue Mountains, day tours to the Hunter Valley, and Sydney touring.

The groups will travel in waves of 50 people per group.

Orient Fans India Incentive 2011

Date: September 2011
Delegates: 350 over 5 days
Estimated value: $1.7 million

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) first made contact with the client's travel agent at ATE in 2011.

Orient Fans and the selected travel agent visited Sydney for a site inspection in July 2011.

For Sydney Conference Accommodation, choose Metro Hotels

Fashion Models to Show Off Jewellery at Sydney Fair

Expertise Events will celebrate the JAA International Jewellery Fair’s 20th anniversary in style with a live fashion parade that will revolutionise the fair’s day-to-day format.

Dubbed ‘Collection Preview Live’, the European-style runway show will feature professional models wearing exhibitors’ jewellery and watches. Three 15-minute long parades are set to take place on each day of the fair at hourly intervals between 12pm and 2pm.

Expertise Events managing director Gary Fitz-Roy has enlisted the services of the Niche Marketing Group to produce the fashion parade that is intended to commemorate the fair’s 20th anniversary. Fitz-Roy said it may become an annual event if it receives a positive response from exhibitors and attendees alike.

Fitz-Roy said the live fashion parade will be an ideal way to showcase the latest trends in the industry. “Collection Preview Live is designed to give retailers the chance to view our exhibitors’ products in-situ on real people,” he said.

“As well as bringing a new level of entertainment, glamour and sophistication to the event, we hope to provide inspiration to retailers as they search for new solutions for their business,” he added.

Exhibitors interested in having their products showcased had to pay a fee and supply products for whichever fashion segment they were appearing in.

Separately, New Zealand retailers who are interested in attending the Sydney fair can make use of a group package developed by the New Zealand Retailers Association and the Jewellers Association of New Zealand (JANZ). The package will offer Kiwi retailers a special group price to the fair inclusive of airfares and accommodation. JANZ will also have a stand at the fair and a Kiwi lounge area.

Fashion models at last year's JAA Design Awards

Find and Book Ideal Sydney Accommodation with Metro Hotels