Conference Investment Boost to Business

The City of Sydney will invest a further $1.5 million to promote Sydney as a world-class conference city, attracting tens of thousands of visitors who will contribute millions to the local economy.
The City will invest $500,000 a year over the next three years in Business Events Sydney (BESydney), to assist in stimulating and supporting this important market.
BESydney is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that promotes Sydney as a global business events destination. It identifies opportunities and bids to win events for the city, from youth travel events to international medical conferences.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said providing financial backing for business events was vital for the health of the city’s economy, and Sydney had world-class venues and workers.
“The international market for business events is increasingly competitive, with more cities than ever vying to secure these valuable events, so it’s essential that we help promote Sydney to the world,” the Lord Mayor said.
“All levels of government need to work in partnership to secure business events for Sydney and secure our city’s credentials as a world class events destination.
“We welcome the NSW Government’s plans to build a new Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct, which will allow us to stay ahead of the curve.
“It will enhance Sydney’s position as a regionally significant, globally connected city while boosting the local economy through increased tourism and industry spend.”
Deputy Premier the Hon. Andrew Stoner MP, who will be leading delivery of the new Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct, welcomed the investment and the opportunity to work together for the benefit of Sydney and NSW.
“As BESydney’s major supporter, the NSW Government recognises the value that business events deliver to our visitor and knowledge economies,” Mr Stoner said.
“Business event delegates stay, shop, eat, celebrate, explore in our city helping to drive demand for our tourism providers. As part of an aligned economic development strategy, these events also stimulate trade and investment opportunities for local businesses, fuel knowledge exchange, and more broadly promote innovation and productivity.
“NSW is already the preferred Australian destination for international meetings and we want to ensure that we stay on the front foot.
“I congratulate Lord Mayor Clover Moore for recognising the ongoing value of business events to our state, beyond tourism dollars, and for making this valuable investment in our shared future, and I look forward to working with BESydney, the City of Sydney and industry to attract business events from around the world to Sydney.”
Chief Executive Officer of BESydney, Lyn Lewis-Smith, welcomed the investment as the final piece in a truly collaborative approach to securing business events for the city and NSW.
“Sydney is recognised globally as a leading destination for business events. Our future success will be underpinned by a whole-of-city approach to attracting, winning and delivering world-class conferences, corporate meetings and incentive programs,” Ms Lewis-Smith said.
“All levels of government, industry groups and the vast network of industry suppliers need to collaborate. The increased support that will now come from the City of Sydney is the final piece in the puzzle and we are very excited by the opportunities this partnership will bring.”
Last financial year, Business Events Sydney secured 103 events for Sydney. It’s estimated these events will have an economic impact of $225.6 million and attract approximately 58,000 visitors when they take place over the coming years.
The Lord Mayor said hosting business events helped to cement Sydney’s position as a global city.
“The City places a high priority on support for business and we are committed to actively participating in building a flourishing economy at all levels.”

(Source: Sydneymedia.com.au)

Glebe Island Expo

News to hand is that five groups have submitted tenders to design, build & operate an interim venue on Glebe Island – the Glebe Island Expo. The plan is to host exhibitions and trade shows while construction takes place on the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) from late 2013 to late 2016. The bidders are: Infrastructure Glebe Island Consortium, which include: Cox Richardson Architecture Pty Ltd, Singex Venues Pte Ltd; iEDM Pty Ltd; Probuild Construction (Aust) Pty Ltd - Sydney Harbour Expo@ Glebe Island: Pages Equipment Holdings Pty Ltd - GL Events SA- Expertise Events and Renascent Sydney Pty Ltd. While the successful tenderer will develop detailed plans, the Glebe Island Expo is likely to be constructed as a marquee-style structure. The successful tenderer is expected to be selected in December 2012, while the Glebe Island Expo is to start operating by late 2013.

Metro Hotels Exhibits at BTTB

Metro Hotels exhibits at BTTB

Over the past few years, travel managers and suppliers have had to contend with dramatic and often unpredictable changes in the business environment. Natural disasters, financial crisis, political turmoil and civil unrest made travel planning difficult and put pressures not only on travellers, but also on their managers.

With so much uncertainty surrounding their roles, travel managers need as much information as possible about the aspects they can control, and this year’s BTTB Australia conference aimed to provide vital insights into the travel supply chain. From pricing trends to global best practice, the conference content aimed to draw on the best information out there and apply it to the demands of Australasian travel management.

Over two days, delegates heard from leading experts as well as learnt from their peers in a conference programme that addressed the key issues of the day.

Now in its 13th year, also included the region’s biggest business travel trade show where leading suppliers such as Metro Hotels were on hand to demonstrate their products, services and solutions and discuss developments in their particular field.

Metro Hotels Hammers Out a Great Idea for Trade Shows

What started as a simple idea for a low cost give-away has turned into a piece of marketing magic for Metro Hotels.

The sales department at Metro Hotels were looking for a low cost item that they could give-away to delegates who attended the many business trade shows the company exhibited at. "We looked at the usual stress balls and similar sorts of things and then we came across the stress hammer," according Metro Hotels Business Development Manager Richard Amour. "It was quirky, unique and had a certain attraction that we couldn't pass up," he explained.

The stress hammers have proven so popular that the sales staff receive emails from trade show delegates months after attending a particular event, requesting if they could be sent more hammers for their colleagues, children, nieces and nephews etc.

According to Mr. Amour the stress hammers are a great conversation starter and everyone and anyone who works in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry can relate to stress.

"We have had a few politically correct people try to tell us that they are de-stress hammers but we are sticking with the majority opinion and therefore they will always be referred to as stress hammers." he explained.

But what does a hammer have to do with hotel or serviced apartment accommodation?

"Absolutely nothing," said Mr Amour, "and we think that is part of the attraction."

In fact, Metro Hotels staff were getting asked so often what a hammer had to do with their business that they started to ask their clients the exact same question - and listed below are just some of the answers/ideas that they could safely publish:-

* Hammer out a deal at Metro Hotels

* Get hammered at Metro Hotels

* Metro Hotels - building relationships

* I nailed a great deal with Metro Hotels

* Metro Hotels are hammering down prices

The only problem the sales team at Metro Hotels have now is ........... what do they come up with next?

"The success of the Stress Hammers has been so huge that we are really scratching our heads to find something that will surpass the success of the Stress Hammers." Said Mr Amour.