GLEBE ISLAND EXPO KEEPING SYDNEY NUMBER ONE

Infrastructure NSW announced today that the interim exhibition facility on Glebe Island will be bigger than planned and has been designed to meet the requirements of Sydney’s valuable exhibition and event industry.
Sydney Harbour Expo @Glebe Island has been selected as the preferred tenderer to build, operate and remove the interim facility, which will host exhibitions and events during construction of the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) at Darling Harbour between late 2013 to late 2016.
Sydney Harbour Expo @Glebe Island is the company formed by the leading event and equipment hire company, Pages, to deliver Glebe Island Expo.
Pages, which has developed its own in-house design and manufacturing capability, has been a highly successful supplier of event infrastructure in Australia and internationally since 1957.
Infrastructure NSW Project Director Tim Parker said, with Pages on board, we are able to create a fully-enclosed and fully-serviced, marquee-style structure of 25,000 sqm - almost replicating the current exhibition space at Darling Harbour.
“Previously, we asked tenderers for 15,000 sqm of enclosed space, with the extra 10,000 sqm to be available on a temporary basis for the larger shows,” Mr Parker said.
“The plan to have one large space undercover was developed in consultation with and endorsed by the major exhibition organisers that use the current facilities in Darling Harbour. It can be provided at the same cost to the NSW Government.
“Glebe Island will be able to accommodate Sydney’s major exhibitions, which attract more than 500,000 visitors and generate more than $100 million in economic benefit each year.
“We are proposing a strong focus on public transport to Glebe Island Expo. We will introduce shuttle services to Glebe Island on event days – including ferries from Darling Harbour and buses from the CBD.
“This facility is part of a city-wide interim solution which will keep our important conference, meeting and exhibition industry open for business to ensure Sydney remains the number one choice for events during the SICEEP construction period.
“Our interim solution will provide a platform for transition when the new, world-class facilities at Darling Harbour open in late 2016,” Mr Parker said.
Glebe Island Expo will:
-Provide 25,000 sqm of exhibition space.
-Be a destination for local and international visitors, capitalising on the proximity to Sydney Harbour.
-Deliver the experience of a more permanent facility through a uniquely designed solution.
 Provide access for loading, private vehicles, ferries and shuttle buses
Glebe Island's role as an important port facility will continue while Glebe Island Expo is in use. Port activities will continue once the temporary facility is removed when the new convention, exhibition and entertainment facilities open late 2016.
The target for development consent is March 2013, with construction commencing mid next year.
Bookings for Sydney Harbour Expo are currently coordinated through Business Events Sydney, and the transition to the new operator will happen in March 2013.

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 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.

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