BESydney Scores $50 Million Nu Skin Mega Incentive

BESydney Scores $50 Million Nu Skin Mega Incentive

Direct selling company, Nu Skin, has confirmed that its 2016 incentive trip will be to Sydney.

The announcement was made at a recent Nu Skin Academy event in Macau.

This is one of the largest incentive wins in BESydney’s 44-year history and one of the largest incentive groups Australia has ever hosted.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said, “It’s a milestone in the making. Sydney shines as a strategically-important destination for Asian corporates looking to reward, motivate and inspire their top sales people. The city is a firm favourite for Asian companies, and this win is testament to this.”

The incentive will see Nu Skin’s qualifying sales people travel to Sydney for a five-day program in April 2016. Delegates will travel from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

Nu Skin Greater China Regional President Andrew Fan said, “Sydney has exceeded every expectation. Throughout this journey its stakeholders have united for a cohesive, whole-of-city approach which we have not witnessed before. I am confident that Sydney will deliver an outstanding incentive program. Our sales people will feel motivated and inspired by Sydney as the 2016 host destination and this is sure to drive sales performances.”

The winning bid was the result of collaboration between BESydney, Destination NSW, Tourism Australia, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and Sydney Airport Corporation Limited.

In addition to the 2016 Nu Skin event, BESydney has secured $278 million worth of confirmed business for the future.

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Sydney Jewellery Fair Piquing Interest

Sydney International Jewellery Fair organiser Expertise Events is predicting a mixture of some returning old faces and exciting new initiatives will lead to a busy fair next week.

JAA International Jewellery Fair (IJF) organiser Gary Fitz-Roy said he’s a little surprised at the level of interest in the year’s fair. “Given that most people are saying that retail trading conditions are tough at the moment, we are seeing a noticeable increase in first-time visitors or people who have not attended [the Sydney fair] for three or four years.”

Fitz-Roy said that there has been an increase in the number of phone and email enquiries but also, “We are seeing an increase this year in visitors who have not attended for a few years. We can say that because they [visitors] must renew their photo ID badge every three years for security reasons so our staff have been more busy this year renewing old ID cards.”

Fitz-Roy was confident of a good turn out this year even if retail trading was tough and said visitors could expect some new sights and initiatives at the fair. “Maybe it’s because things are tough that people are saying I need to get proactive and get out there and look for new and interesting things.

“We've got a whole new look foyer and registration area, we've upgraded the graphics and look and feel of the fair when you come in,” he said. “I felt that it needed to happen. When times are tough you need to be putting it out there that you're still relevant, and show you're investing in the product because you believe in it,” Fitz-Roy

He added that another reason for the increased interest could be due to there being 60 new exhibitors.

Fitz-Roy explained that there is a new registration option this year. Retailers who missed the deadline for online preregistration can now preregister in-person on Saturday afternoon from 2:30 to 5:30pm at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Retailers can come in, register and get cards on Saturday, and that means on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday they'll have automatic access,” Fitz-Roy said.

Buying Groups
 
Nationwide Jewellers managing director Colin Pocklington reports that he’s expecting to at least equal last year’s numbers. “We already have 130 stores registered, and at this stage we expect to equal last year’s figures. In 2011, we registered over 500 people from 203 stores. However another 60 members who had buyer cards, and had not registered via us also attended” he said.

“In anticipation of a similar turnout we have enlarged our seminar room for this year,” Pocklington added.

Leading Edge Jewellers director Josh Zarb also said there had been a “good response” from Leading Edge members.

“Most attendees from our annual conference [which runs from this Thursday until Saturday in Sydney] will stay on and go to the fair,” Zarb said. “We’re expecting about 75 members to be at the fair. It’s slightly down on last year, but I think that’s due to a combination of things, not necessarily a downturn. Some of our members just have other things on.”

Associations
Jeweller has reported extensively on the slew of new products and services that will be launched at the fair, but some of the trade associations also have exciting offerings for visitors.

The Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) has put together a group of expert business consultants to provide members with free advice and answer questions and concerns. Patrick Ferguson from Goldrick Farrell Mullan will be available to discuss legal topics, including company registration and shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, consumer complaints, debt recovery and more.

Leasing Information Services will be offering demonstrations of its online platform and answering questions about retail leasing, while Finance for Life will be present to discuss superannuation, investments, business and personal loans. RISQ and OzForex will also be on hand to discuss risk insurance and foreign exchange services with members.

The National Council of Jewellery Valuers (NCJV) plans to make education a focal point at its stand too. National education officer Graham Easy told Jeweller he would be at the fair to provide advice to visitors interested in jewellery valuation and support for current members.

"We go to the trade fair to assist members that come with questions, problems, or procedural matters, and people having problems with valuations,” he said. “We are also there to promote the principles of valuing, and talk about the educational process with people interested in becoming valuers.”

Easy said the NCJV was getting close to finalising a new government accredited course, the Diploma of Applied Gemmology (Valuation), which has been in development for several years. He said he would be available to take any questions potential students had about it, while the stand would also provide short courses for valuers, helping them learn about new industry issues.

“We run a small educational section at the stand,” Easy explained. “It’s something there for valuers, a five-minute education, it’s a mini class. In the past we’ve discussed fake watches and led-filled rubies. To be a valuer, you have to do so many update points a year, this helps gain some of those points very quickly.”

The Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) will also be promoting express learning with its new online courses. The GAA, in collaboration with the JAA, is offering a collection of short, web-only courses aimed at newcomers to the jewellery industry. The course list includes ‘Introduction to retail jewellery sales’, ‘Introduction to daily jewellery retail business’, and ‘Introduction to coloured gemstones’.

Terry Coldham, chairman Gem-Ed, a sub-committee of the GAA, will be at the fair and said early feedback about the courses was positive. “We're getting some excellent reviews on them,” he said. “At the fair we will use a computer setup to show visitors how they work.”

Coldham said he would also be giving a talk to Nationwide members on coloured gemstones, in an effort to ”instil some interest and excitement in working and selling coloured gemstones in jewellery”.

World Class Entertainment on the Bill at Sydney’s Event Showcase

Visitors at Sydney’s Event Showcase will come face to face with some of Australia’s hottest talent this year due to Exhibitions and Trade Fairs (ETF) naming Apples & Pears Entertainment the official entertainment partner of the show.

With ‘sourcing quality corporate entertainment’ named as one of the top three reasons people attend the show, this exciting new development represents a complete overhaul of the Showcase’s Entertainment program. It has been designed to go right to the heart of providing the ultimate solution for busy event organisers needing to source quality entertainment.

In a very exciting ‘first’ for the show, the revitalised entertainment program produced by Apples & Pears will be presenting daily surprise performances by major Australian talent. They will also showcase a wide range of professional performers complete with full stage production for maximum effect.   

Jodie Richmond, CEO and General Manager of ETF, said the new partnership is a fundamental change in the quality of entertainment presented at the Showcase.
“Our market research revealed that corporate entertainment is one of the most vital and memorable facets to event planning and management.

“Our partnership with Apples & Pears provides the answer to event businesses wanting to find and experience firsthand the best corporate entertainment available today. The new and improved Entertainment Showcase will provide an unparalleled level of access to an extremely diverse and high quality bill of corporate entertainment,” said Ms Richmond.
 
Apples & Pears combines the experience and musical knowledge gained from having run a successful independent record company, production studio and managing a talent roster of the finest names in entertainment to produce corporate entertainment successfully across Australia.

Over 10 years, Harris Meitanis, Managing Director of Apples & Pears Entertainment has produced entertainment for in excess of 1000 events.

“Artists of the highest calibre are no longer out of reach for corporate event planners through experienced agencies like Apples & Pears Entertainment.

“We are very excited and proud to cement our position as leaders in the events industry by becoming the official entertainment partner for Sydney’s Event Showcase for 2012.

“The program we’re producing will not only excite visitors with an entertainment experience never-before-seen on the tradeshow floor, but also provide them with a taste of quality performances they can have at their next event. Our aim is to completely blow the socks off all the visitors to the show. We are really looking forward to revealing to the industry the extent of what we can do,” said Mr Meitanis.

Performances by major Australian talent will be announced closer to the Showcase date.  Seats at the Entertainment Showcase will fill up quickly across the two days. Attendees are encouraged to visit the Show’s website or Facebook page to keep an eye on the release of acts, program line ups, and show times.

Sydney’s Event Showcase, 15 – 16 August 2012 is co-located with Australian Business Events Expo at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. 
Registration is free and strongly encouraged before the show dates to avoid queues at the door.

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.

The Internet Show Exhibition - Over 2500 Pre-Registered Visitors

The Internet Show Sydney
27-28 October 2011
Sydney Convention Centre, Sydney, Australia

Would you like to drive more traffic to your website? And make more sales when they get there? And do you need to develop a social media strategy? Then pre-register now for Australia's internet business event.

Over 2500 visitors have pre-registered to visit the free Internet Show exhibition! If you have not pre-registered to visit the exhibition, are you missing out on the opportunity to learn from experts and get latest updates in the industry?
Pre-registerfor the free exhibition >

The Internet Show Sydney is Australia's largest event of its kind dedicated solely to covering internet related issues for business. It provides the ideal environment for you to learn from the experts and gain hands-on experience with the latest products and solutions.

Over 60 free education seminars will be running across the 2 exhibition days.
Pre-register for the seminars now >

The seminars cover Social Media strategies, Content management, Connectivity & Collaboration, E-commerce & Payments or Digital Advertising and Marketing. These have been designed so you can move freely between the different seminar rooms and listen to the presentations that are important to your role.
Sign up for the exhibition seminars>

The Internet Show Sydney

See 1000s of new products on display at The Safety Show Sydney

Register now to attend and discover what’s new at THE SAFETY SHOW SYDNEY. Discuss your workplace safety needs with industry experts and learn what’s on offer to help you reduce risk and increase safety.

Gain in depth knowledge at these free seminars: WorkCover NSW Seminars Attend WorkCover NSW Safety Information sessions to discover how their Ambassadors improved safety in their business, and why they spread the work safe home safe message. Find out how the construction industry will be impacted by the new Work Health and Safety Act. Get the latest information on safety issues in the manufacturing industry, and learn how small to medium businesses will be affected. Free Harmonisation Seminars Reserve your place to stay up to date with National Workplace Legislation and find out how you too can prepare for changes, including advice on how to understand key provisions. Crisis Averted - Managing the Mayhem - An Interactive Guide to Incident Management Sit in while the Norton Rose Australia team hosts an interactive role play and mock trial on incident management. Using a case study to follow the progression of an incident from the immediate aftermath, to the investigation process and ending with an OHS prosecution, the team will provide practical tips on managing an incident, dealing with the regulator and facing the consequences of an OHS breach – all as a court hearing. 11.30am, 25th October. Attendance to all seminars is free. Sessions held daily. Bookings essential. Book your seat now Plus, don't miss these dedicated feature areas: Technology & Training Corporate Health Learn safety solutions including staff induction, risk management software, contractor management, first aid and emergency response training. Reduce the number of sick days, discover how to tackle poor employee health, motivation and absenteeism.

BE SMART. BE SAFE.

2011 Canberra Qantas Corporate Travel Show Post Event Report

Metro Hotels recently took part as an exhibitor at the 2011 Canberra Qantas Corporate Travel Show which attracted 864 guests (135 Travel Agents, 263 Travel Coordinators and 466 Frequent Flyers).

Sydney hotels generate a great deal of business from Canberra and the ACT from both the government and corporate sector.

Guests where invited by Qantas and a snapshot of the companies that attended this year's show are listed below:

The Travel Agents session included guests representing over 36 agencies and

groups including ACT World Travel, AIIU Travel, Britain & Europe World

Travel, Capital Travel Manuka, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Civic Travel

Service, Corporate Traveller, Cruiseabout Manuka, Escape Travel Garema, FCm

Travel Solutions, Flight Centre - Belconnen, Capital, Dickson, Mawson,

Queanbeyan, Tuggeranong, Weston & Woden, Harvey World Travel - Belconnen,

Canberra, Weston & Woden, HRG Canberra Team, Jamison Travel Gungahlin,

Jetset Southlands, Maria Slater Travel, Mecca Travel Co Pty Ltd, QBT

Canberra, Queanbeuyan City Travel & Cruise, Reis & James Travel Associates,

STA Belconnen, Travel Makers, Travelscene Canberra City & Manuka.

The Travel Coordinators Morning Tea included guests representing over 85

companies, associations and government departments including ACT Chief

Ministers Department, ACT Executive, ActewAGL - Distribution, ACT Tourism,

Acumenta Pty Ltd, ADFA, Department of Defence, Airservices Australia,

Attorney Generals Department, AusAID, Australian Bureau of Statistics,

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, Australian Crime Commission,

Australian Federal Police, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Australian

Medical Council, Australian National University, Australian Sports

Commission, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, British High Commission,

Canadian High Commission, CARE Australia, Centrelink, College of Asia &

Pacific, ComSuper, CrimTrac, CSIRO, Defence Housing Australia, Defence

Materiel Organisation, Dept Environment, Sustainability, Water, Population,

Dept of Broadband, Communications, Dept of Climate Change and Energy

Efficiency, Dept of Defence, Dept of Families, Housing, Community Services &

Indigenous Affairs, Dept of Health, Dept of Human Services, Dept of

Infrastructure & Transport, Dept of Innovation, Industry, Science &

Research, Dept of Premier & Cabinet, Dept of the Prime Minister & Cabinet,

Dept of Veterans' Affairs, Dept of the Treasury, Earlybird Conferencing &

Events, Embassy of Belgium, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of Norway, Embassy of

Peru, Embassy of Romania, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of Switzerland, Embassy

of the Russian Federation, Family Court of Australia, Financial Strategy &

Business Performance, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Haddow Pipeline

Operations Services, High Commission of Canada, Indigenous Business

Australia, International Organization for Migration, International Visits

Team, IP Australia, Murray Darling Basin Authority, National Farmers'

Federation, National Health & Medical Research Council, National Library of

Australia, National Museum of Australia, NATSEM, New Zealand High

Commission, Office of National Assessments, Office of Parliamentary Counsel,

Pakistan High Commission, PHIAC, Procurement & Contract Management Branch,

Royal Danish Embassy, SABRE Pacific, SEWPAC, Sofema Australia, Supportlink,

Tetlow Tigwell Watch Lawyers, The Indigenous Marathon Project, UCELI/UCC,

Universities Australia & University of Canberra.

According to Metro Hotel’s Business Development Manager, Richard Amour, “trade shows are an excellent opportunity to make new business relationships and also to touch base with existing customers.”

AGE 2011: Hoteliers Anticipate 2011's Biggest Trade Event!

As the emphasis on differentiation of the venue offering continues hoteliers will look to Australia’s best showcase of hospitality innovation for new ways to exceed their customer’s expectations and streamline their venue operations. Be it the latest in gaming products, exceptional food and beverage or improvements in back of house operations the AGE guarantees to impress.

The event will be held on 21-23 August at Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre and over 5000 Australian and international visitors will attend. This timing is of great benefit as a number of industry events will take place at the same time, allowing non Sydney metropolitan hoteliers to maximise their time whilst away from their venue.

The Australasian Gaming Expo has historically been the primary platform for the launch of new products by more than 150 trade exhibitors and 2011 will once again see the event host the newest and most exciting product and technology developments of the last 12 months.

As the flagship exhibitors of the 22nd AGE the GTA member organisations Ainsworth Game Technology, Aristocrat Technologies, Aruze Gaming Australia, Bally Australia, IGT (Australia), Konami Australia, ShuffleMaster Australasia and WMS Gaming Australia will combined display over 700 new gaming machines across their 8 exhibition stands as well as a host of new poker machine software and gaming systems.

Hospitality suppliers of all shapes and sizes will also attend to exhibit in force – be it uniforms, security, vending, promotions, food and beverage or HR and banking services the very best of Australasia will be on-show and ready to do business with the nation’s leading decision makers from hotel venues.

Ross Ferrar, CEO of Gaming Technologies Australia, commented;

“The GTA members look forward to welcoming the hotel industry’s leaders to the AGE. The 2011 Gaming Expo will be an opportunity for hoteliers to experience both innovations in technology and operations as well as exceptional networking with their trade representatives and management peers. The 22nd AGE will once again be the benchmark in exhibitions for the Australian gaming and hospitality industry. We look forward to seeing you there.”

REGISTRATION: for AGE 2011 is now open and can be completed online at www.austgamingexpo.com or by calling the Gaming Expo Help Line on 1300 724 030.

For further information contact:

Ross Ferrar
Gaming Technologies Association
(02) 8216 0931 or info@gamingta.com

For Sydney Accommodation, Metro Hotels

Sydney Announced as Host City for Dreamtime 2011

Tourism Australia today announced Sydney has been selected as host city for Dreamtime 2011, Australia’s premier trade marketing activity for international business events buyers.

More than 100 business events decision makers and 20 media from key international markets will be invited to participate in the five day Dreamtime itinerary. The event begins on 13 November and includes a series of educational activities, gala and business networking events before concluding on 18 November 2011.

Up to seven other destinations in Australia will also form part of the itinerary for the international delegates. A request for proposals is being issued to Australian destinations wishing to host educational visits prior to the host city program.

Ms Penny Lion, Head of Business Events Australia, said Sydney’s proposal for Dreamtime 2011 highlighted the city’s creative thinking, contained an innovative communications strategy and support for the event from across the city.

“Dreamtime is Tourism Australia’s highest profile incentive event and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the very best Australia has to offer in one of our most beautiful cities, Sydney,” said Ms Lion.

Incentive events are used by organisations to improve the performance and motivation of their people and are a key strategy for improving productivity, increasing sales, or retaining and recognising high achievers.

“Bringing key incentive buyers to experience Australia is the best way to encourage them to bring their clients here,” said Ms Lion.

“We are absolutely focused on presenting an outstanding Dreamtime – which will showcase exceptional destinations and experiences around Australia and leave buyers with no doubt about the high value Australia delivers,” she said.

Mr Jon Hutchison, Chief Executive Officer, Business Events Sydney, said Sydney was delighted to be appointed host city for Dreamtime 2011.

“Sydney’s Dreamtime program has been designed to inspire buyers to choose Australia for their next international event. I’m proud of the professionalism and quality of Sydney’s business events industry and certain of their support in delivering an amazing Dreamtime experience,” said Mr Hutchison.

(Source: TravMedia.com 2nd April 2011)

Delegates Welcomed to ATE - Sydney Trade Shows

International buyers attending ATE11 are arriving in Sydney this week with many already on familiarisation tours of Sydney and regional NSW. Delegates are being greeted by welcome banners at Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, hotels and at the airport.

As co-host of the event, Tourism NSW has planned a full schedule of functions and activities over the nine days to showcase Sydney and regional NSW. The city’s credentials for hosting large-scale business events will be on display along with the State’s quality food and wine and dynamic tourism businesses and experiences. More information will be provided in the Insights ATE Special Edition that commences on Saturday.

Two new fact sheets have been added to the ATE11 special series on international market segments. Tourism NSW has analysed the baby boomer market from Eastern and Western Hemispheres including looking at opportunities to grow visitation from those groups. To see the fact sheets click here.

Sydney’s new Sydney Airport Citybus Express is offering $10 airport transfers for ATE delegates. The luxury coach service runs to and from Sydney Airport to city hotels. Click here for more information. ATE delegates wanting to know more about the Sydney Airport Citybus Express service can visit booth 247 in the NSW area at ATE.

(Source: Insights 30^th March 2011)