Business tourism captial

Conference and events venues all over the coast are preparing for a largely prosperous year as an influx of business people nation-wide flock to the ‘business tourism’ capital of Australia.

Meetings and Events Queensland chairman Liz Rivers says after experiencing a major downturn in 2009, industry professionals are ‘expecting a really good year’.

“Big business and corporate clients didn’t want to stop or cancel conferences and meetings, and instead relocated them to their head offices where the biggest number of delegates come from,” she says.

“When they’ve had to cancel conference contracts the venue would say ‘that’s totally understandable, but please come back to us when things are looking up’.

“From now or even around five months ago, everyone in the industry has been flat out with conference and event proposals.”
Rivers says as many companies had to cancel their Gold Coast events and stay in Melbourne or Sydney last year, 2010 will see the city return to top form.

“The perceived leisure component of the Gold Coast is what brings business events into this arena,” she says.

“When travelling to the Gold Coast for a business event, delegates can bring the entire family along for a holiday and visit a theme park while they’re up here.

“People want to be able to have a different experience and not be held up in one location.”

With more focus on international and purely leisure-based tourism, Rivers says the economic contribution associated with business events and conferences is often overlooked.

“Generally people in business events know what’s going to happen. It’s a really good indicator on how finance for the rest of the country and other sectors are looking,” she says.

“The whole of Australia is going to be in a great position for 2010 and I think we can all look forward to a bumper year.”

Gold Coast Turf Club
FOR punters, horse enthusiasts and party-animals alike, corporate functions and events mean one thing – a day at the races.

The Gold Coast Turf Club is renowned as one of Australia’s premier racecourses holding 58 race meetings per year, racing every Saturday afternoon in paradise.

Situated just five minutes from Surfers Paradise Beach the club has been in operation for more than 50 years.

During this time it has developed the racecourse and its facilities into a large and versatile venue that offers some of the most exciting entertainment to be found in southeast Queensland.

With a wide range of entertainment areas, boasting 16 bars, bistros, cafés and the popular a-la-carte Skyline Restaurant, the Gold Coast’s premier racing venue offers award-winning service and uninterrupted views of the winning post.

The organisation’s event professionals also have an array of raceday and non-raceday function packages available across 10 venues and themed events to cater for all tastes.

Spring carnival dining packages are available for Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and VRC Derby racedays. Packages include racecourse entry, luncheon and reserved seating.

The Gold Coast Turf Club is also home to January’s Magic Millions thoroughbred yearling auctions which attracts buyers from all over the world and contributes more than $50 million to the Queensland economy.

Of course the Melbourne Cup festivities in November are always the highlight of any Australian racing calendar.

Event Cinemas
EVENT Cinemas’ Gold Class facilities are not only renowned for the highest comfort in corporate entertainment but also for being a unique, practical and luxurious venue choice for business conferences, events and seminars.

Each Gold Class auditorium boasts 40 electronic recliners, access to a private lounge and bar and the private use of the latest state-of-the-art technology with digital projection, super-wide screens and digital sound to deliver a stunning business presentation like no other.

Guests can partake in the event while enjoying fine wine and cuisine from the seasonal menu prepared by chefs in the Gold Class kitchen.

A stunning array of cafe-style foods and alcoholic beverages as well as waiter service is available before, after and during your conference.

Three Gold Class auditoriums at Events Cinemas Robina and two Gold Class auditoriums at Events Cinemas Australia Fair means there is no reason why your next business conference cannot be a highly anticipated event.

With a corporate events team on hand to tailor a package to suit every occasion, Events Cinemas’ Gold Class is a unique and impressive solution for any corporate presentation, workshop, meeting or even your company’s own exclusive movie night.

RACV Royal Pines Resort
CONFERENCE with the experts at RACV Royal Pines Resort and you will enjoy high quality service from the award-winning conventions team.

RACV Royal Pines, one of Queensland’s largest resorts, is situated at the heart of the Gold Coast, midway between the magnificent beaches of Surfers Paradise and the rainforests of the Hinterland.

The resort’s purpose-built convention centre has a range of facilities to suit any corporate needs and boasts 15 technology intelligent meeting rooms.

The Royal Benowa Ballroom is the centre point of the convention centre, featuring state-of-the-art audio visual and network cabling technology and a ceiling with an impressive sky light.

The Ballroom features 1500sqm of column-free function space and a 1000sqm, pre-function foyer with both venues catering up to 124 exhibitor booths combined.

The superb podium lawns directly outside the ballroom foyer can also readily accommodate a Hoeckerdome up to 3000sqm catering for up to 150 exhibitor booths.

This is also ideal for outdoor functions.

Another popular choice is Royal Pines undercover tennis courts which can accommodate up to 1800 guests in a cocktail style event.

Australia’s leading in-house events provider Avantage takes care of all the conference production needs from the simplest of boardroom meetings to the most complex of functions with fully themed productions.

At RACV Royal Pines Resort, any corporate event will be in the hands of people committed to success.

Pedal Power
AS ENVIRONMENTAL issues and climate change shifts to the forefront of industry, Bicycle Queensland is encouraging the state’s business community to set an example.

Business leaders can make a difference to the environment and promote this healthy lifestyle activity by choosing to cycle to the next business event or conference.

The challenge comes as Bicycle Queensland, the state’s peak organisation for cycling, hosts the largest ever bicycle festival from Saturday March 13 in Brisbane.

The Bike Week 2010 festival’s growth coincides with cycling becomes a major mode of transport in Australia.

Last financial year the non-for-profit organisation with 12 staff and 300 volunteers recorded a record high 10,000 members and an annual turnover of more than $2 million.

Pedalling the message, ‘cycling is smart travel’, Bike Week 2010 will present a range of rides and free activities to demonstrate the numerous fitness, financial and fun benefits of the pursuit and encourage people of all ages to get in the saddle.

The BDO Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge, with its 70km track, famous hill climb and South Bank Parklands finish line will continue to be the signature event.

More than 20 other events ranging from the corporate challenge of Scody Ride to Work Day to the leisurely riverside Goldcross Family Fun Ride are also open to all participants.

“We’re excited to offer so many activities for the whole family to enjoy together during Bike Week 2010,” says Bicycle Queensland manager Ben Wilson.

“We encourage locals and visitors to Brisbane to join in the Goldcross Family Bike Ride, Babes on Bikes or try something a little different like Bike Orienteering.”

Online entries are now open for the Great Brisbane Bike Ride and BDO Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge, which supports the Endeavour Foundation. Full program details are available at www.bq.org.au.

Lauxes
SUBTLE oriental touches on French grandeur, sophisticated elegance and meticulous attention to fine detail has renowned Lauxes Lounge Bar and Restaurant as a luxurious dining experience.

The venue is however, also gaining a strong reputation as a multi-functional event space perfect for any event ranging from business conferences, wedding receptions and cocktail parties with canapés.
Lauxes’ beautifully appointed open plan design has the ability to transform the sophisticated restaurant into an enchanting magical party space.

Restaurant co-owner Jojo Leatham says location and convenience are just two factors in the design process.

“Two of our restaurants in Japan were centralised between five star hotels and a convention centre. Our experience overseas inspired us to create a similar venue here and Lauxes is in great vicinity of the Gold Coast Convention Centre, the Casino and many other high class venues,” says Leatham.

With a conference room designed to sit 30 in theatre style, the renowned Lauxes team specialises in catering for small to medium conference and events groups.

“As the owners we are always on site to provide real personalised attention to any group. We’re very ‘hands on’ operators and cater for individual needs from entertainment to catering and much more.” says Leatham.

Located in the heart of Broadbeach directly opposite Conrad Jupiters Casino, Lauxes has quickly become renowned as one of the Gold Coast’s ultimate social experiences.

Warner Village
FROM feeling like you’re in Hollywood to dining among marine life, Warner Village are the experts in live show entertainment.

With venues including Sea World, Movie World, Wet ‘n’ Wild and the Australian Outback Spectacular, Warner Village events are bound to be special for any corporate, social and milestone occasion.

Years in the planning and $23 million to build and stage, Australian Outback Spectacular is an entertainment extravaganza like no other. Big, bold and breathtaking, it’s the ultimate event and backdrop for your next function.

With a group booking of 100 or taking the venue exclusively, the Australian Outback Spectacular is a unique and exciting evening dinner and show capturing the grandeur of the outback, presented in a giant arena with seating for 1000 guests.

Choose Sea World and events can happen virtually anywhere within the park, from sun-up to way after sun-down.

All three of Sea World’s event venues are just as impressive for dinner and cocktails as the sun sets slowly over the Broadwater.

For those who prefer lights, camera and action, Warner Bros. Movie World truly is Hollywood on the Gold Coast, bursting with a stellar cast of screen legends ready to make your event an award winner.

From classic stars of the golden years through to the action heroes of today, Warner Bros. Movie World can call on some of the biggest names to add their unique glamour, style and personality to any occasion.

Or splash out on an event at Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World and delegates can soak up the action and atmosphere of Australia’s premier water park.

Before the fun starts, kick off the day with one of two sumptuous breakfast choices.

A calypso beach breakfast is a totally laid back experience, complete with a delicious tropical feast and the soothing sounds of a West Indian band.

A more extreme start to the day can be found at an adrenaline rush breakfast. Race your colleagues on the Super 8
Aqua Racer, survive Terror Canyon 2 or Mammoth Falls, then re-charge with a hearty breakfast.

Staging Connections
CHOOSING a quality event management team is often the most crucial decision in ensuring a successful event.

Having completed operations on the Gold Coast for the last 15 years, Staging Connections has extensive local knowledge and expertise needed to seamlessly deliver across all events types.

Staging Connections has a special events team of more than 90 staff that a range of services from technical production management, audio, vision and lighting through to styling, theming and design.

A popular webstreaming service has been recently added to Staging Connections portfolio to open an event or conference to a wider virtual audience.

Company general manager Russell Bennett, says by using a professional event staging company takes the pressure of event organisers and ensures a successful outcome for all.

“We have a team of experienced and enthusiastic technical and design specialists who collectively have one goal, which is to assist clients in staging their events seamlessly,” says Bennett.

“We assist in taking the stress away from clients in the organising of all the technical, design and production needs.”

Cementing Staging Connections reputation as a market leader are 12 quality venue partnerships in southeast Queensland including the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Conrad Jupiters, Surfers Paradise Marriot Resort and Radisson Resort.

Couran Cove Island Resort
AT COURAN Cove, nature and culture blend harmoniously together to create a truly Australian-styled resort.

Renowned for its flair and creativity in food design and theming, Couran Cove Island Resort has been awarded ‘Gold Coast’s Best Corporate Caterer’ by Restaurant and Catering Queensland four times.

Couran Cove’s conference professionals can create a personalised theme around any event, making sure that business functions are remembered by all delegates long after they leave the island.
Now in its 11th year of operation, general manager Scott Hayden says that Couran Cove has witnessed a clear change in the business conference market.

“Company shareholders and the general public are seeking socially responsible business practices along with a heightened sense of corporate social and environmental responsibility,” says Hayden.
“In the past, conference groups would come to the resort despite the ecologically sound principles of the property, however now they come because of them.”

Couran Cove Island Resort offers the perfect balance between comfort and amenity, and the magnificent natural environment of South Stradbroke Island.

Adding to the Resort’s appeal are over 100 recreational and teambuilding activities, which makes it a popular venue choice with conference attendees wanting to clear their heads after a day of intense meetings.

Relax, recharge and rejuvenate with a Couran Cove Island Resort experience tailored to suit you or your team.