SYDNEY BOUTIQUE BREW NAMED TOP BEER

Boutique Sydney-based brewer Redoak has taken out the top gong at the 2006 Australian International Beer Awards with one of its signature brews. Redoak won the prestigious 'Grand Champion Beer' award for its Special Reserve at the awards in Melbourne after being judged the 'best of the best' out of 969 beers from 31 countries. The beer was also named Champion Speciality Beer. The Redoak Brewery was established on 2004 and is wholly Australian owned and operated by brother and sister founders Janet and David Hollyoak. Last year the Hollyoak’s also opened their Redoak Boutique Beer Café in Sydney’s CBD which showcases their beers. Along with head chef Richard Park they have developed a menu of dishes designed to match the Redoak beers.(hospitalitymagazine 15-05-06)

NEW RESORT BRAND APPOINTS DESIGNER TO CREATE STYLE

One of Australia’s newest luxury resort brands Domain Resorts has appointed high profile designer Linda Gregoriou to the job of creating a ‘unique style’ for its properties. Gregoriou’s past design projects have included the redevelopment of Sydney’s Homebush Bay for the 200 Olympic Games. As part of the project she will sourcing “quirky pieces” from Europe, Africa, and Asia to add character and comfort to rooms and public spaces while keeping with an Australian coastal theme. (hospitalitymagazine 15-05-06)

MECC EXPANDS EXECUTIVE TEAM TO DRIVE BUSINESS GROWTH

The Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre’s (MECC) chief executive, Mr Leigh Harry, today announced the expansion of the centre’s executive team, which will deliver business growth as a result of Melbourne opening a new 5,000-seat convention centre in 2009. Ms Melissa Mac Court has been appointed director of sales, while Mr Clive Dwyer has been appointed director of business development. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust will manage the new facility and the MECC’s strategic intent is to increase activities not only to attract a greater number of business events to Melbourne, but also to identify opportunities, which will enable the centre to significantly broaden its market reach. Ms Petrina Gillespie will take on the director of marketing role, responsible for development, direction, implementation and co-ordination of marketing programs. MECC 17-05-06

CONSUMERS PUT ACCOR ON TOP

Hotel guests have voted Accor the Best Hotel Chain across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The hotel group was announced as the winner of the award at the inaugural HotelClub Hotel Awards held in Sydney last week. More than 300 hotels throughout the region were nominated in the awards with 74,000 consumers in 170 countries voting online in a series of categories. Accor’s properties were also voted as one of the Top 3 Hotels in Victoria and in the Northern Territory. The hotels voted the best three in the region overall were Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast, Hayman Island Resort and Crown Towers Hotel Melbourne. The awards were run by online accommodation provider HotelClub in conjunction with travel show Getaway and Ninemsn. A total of 35 awards were presented in 14 categories (hospitalitymagazine 15-05-06)

EIBTM Growth in Event Services Village

The Event Services Village at EIBTM 2006 has already sold 50% of its space and has doubled in size compared to last year. Companies who have already reserved space include: Parthen The Meeting Services Company, provider of audio visual and registration products from Holland; Nexus Collections Ltd, a UK based specialist designer and manufacturer of conference bags, portfolios and lanyards and Phoenix Entertainment Holding Group, an event and entertainment company, and Next Generation. Now in its second year, the Event Services Village is a specialist exhibitor area, which features all aspects of support services for events, meetings and incentive travel. The exhibitors offer expertise in specific sectors, such as: Audio Visual, Entertainment, Catering, Production Companies, Chauffeur, Services, Stand design & build, VAT & Financial, Name badges, Marquees, Speakers, Pyrotechnics, Theming, Furniture and Incentive gifts. (EIBTM 12-05-06)

New Exhibitors Line Up For AIME 2006

Expect to see a range of new product and destinations when AIME 2006, the AsiaPacific Incentives and Meetings Expo opens 6 and 7 June at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. With less than a month to go, over 150 new exhibitors have taken stands with more enquires being processed daily. Rosemarie Sama, AIME Event Director, says the interest received from first time exhibitors to AIME 2006 has been extremely positive. New exhibitors come from over 25 different countries including: Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea South, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. (Schreiber PR 12-05-06)

Melbourne Venues Team Up to Launch Cabaret Festival

A group of diverse venues which regularly host cabaret are teaming up to present an exciting two weeks of creative and cutting edge cabaret right across Melbourne. The inaugural Melbourne Cabaret Festival will be held from Thursday 29 June to Sunday 9 July. The private and publicly run venues joining forces to create a cabaret festival are each responsible for their own programming over the two weeks, and include: The Butterfly Club (South Melbourne), Chapel off Chapel (Prahran), Gasworks Arts Park (Albert Park), Glen Eira City Council (Caulfield), Kingston Arts Centre(Moorabbin), Northcote Town Hall (Northcote) and Theatreworks (St Kilda). The festival will present a broad range of cabaret genres. Such an inclusive and accessible cabaret festival right across Melbourne has the potential to communicate the breadth and dynamism of cabaret, support and develop cabaret performers and build the standing of the arts in general and of cabaret in particular. website

Sizzling New Chef Stations Spice up Events

Dishing up fresh flavours, amazing variety and new options like chef cooking stations, the 2006 Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Menu Compendium is a feast for the senses.The Centre’s innovative cooking stations add the excitement of live theatre to any event and include a modern twist on a time-honoured Aussie tradition – the barbecue – as well as stir fries and yum cha prepared for guests on the spot. The latest compendium also features more than 80 individual canapé choices, five flexible stand-up menus for working lunches, as well as takeaway executive lunch boxes to enjoy in Darling Harbour’s beautiful parks or by the water. (MG Media 15-05-06)

GCCEC WINS THREE NATIONAL AWARDS

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) celebrates after being awarded three (3) National Awards at the Meetings and Events Industry (MEA) Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday night at Conrad Jupiters. The MEA Awards are the premier accolade of best industry management practice and outstanding performance in the Australian Meetings and Business Events Industry. The Awards on Saturday proved highly successful for the Centre picking up all Awards it was nominated for. (GCCEC 02-05-06)

SA VERSUS VICTORIA IN WINE CLASH
With restaurants increasingly using wine dinners as part of their marketing tactics Sydney’s Botanical Restaurant is adding interest to the idea by adding a sporting touch with the launch of a State of Origin themed dinner. While the football world prepares for its own various State of Origin competitions, Botanical sommelier Christopher Vivian is pitting Victoria against South Australia for the title of Best State in the Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Shiraz categories. Matt Harrop from Shadowfax Winery in Victoria and Russell Gehling from Wirra Wirra Vineyards in South Australia will compete against each at the State of Origin wine dinner at the restaurant later this month. Chef director Paul Wilson has designed a four course meal for the occasion that will see the victor declared at the end of the night. (hospitalitymagazine 08-05-06)

AUSTRALIAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Tourism operators around the country can now apply for grants worth approximately $7 million under the third round of the Australian Government’s Australian Tourism Development Program (ATDP). The ATDP supports projects that promote tourism development in regional and rural Australia. The program provides successful applicants with grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 in two separate categories: Tourism Projects and Integrated Tourism Development Projects. Applications for round three close on Wednesday 28 June. For more information contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46. (Tourism Essentials 04-05-06)

SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK DRAWS RECORD CROWDS 
Sydney Olympic Park attracted a record 7.7 million visitors during 2005, according to a new publication which highlights the growth of business and sporting events in the precinct since the Games. More than 1,470 business events were staged at Sydney Olympic Park during 2005, including meetings, exhibitions, conventions, incentives and corporate team building events. Together the events were worth more than $20 million and represented 10 per cent of all visitors to the park. Sydney Olympic Park Authority Chief Executive Brian Newman said he was confident visitation would reach 10 million people per year by 2010. (Business Events 19-04-06)

 
INDUSTRY CHANGE NEEDED TO STOP STAFF EXODUS

The average staff turnover for the Australian hospitality industry has jumped from 30% to more than 50%, according to a new survey looking at salary and staffing trends in the industry that’s highlighted the need for the industry to rethink how it treats staff. The 2005/2006 Salary Survey from Pinnacle Hospitality and Travel People revealed average national turnover for the industry was 53% in 2005/2006 compared to just 30.1% the previous year. The results highlight the crucial need for employers in the industry to look at ways they can create a more attractive work environment for staff in order to retain them, said Pinnacle managing director Wendy Mead. (hospitalitymagazine 24-04-06)

IT&CMA RETURNS TO BANGKOK

TTG Asia Media, the organiser for IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific has confirmed soon-to-be Bangkok’s newest landmark – the Central World Hotel and Convention Centre – as the venue for 2007. Having staged the two trade events for the MICE and corporate travel industries in Bangkok from 2001 to 2004 and in Pattaya from 2005 to 2006, the decision to return to the Thai capital is part of the host country’s celebrations to honour His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday which falls on 5 December 2007. (Conworld.net 18-04-06)

M2006 PROVIDES MELBOURNE  WITH MAJOR TOURISM BOOST

The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games  was the largest sporting event ever staged in Melbourne with 4,500 athletes from 71 nations  and 1,500 team officials attending. The Games generated the  busiest two weeks on record for Melbourne’s  hotels. Preliminary research from M2006 indicates Victoria is on track to reach the forecast  90,000 visitors. It is estimated that a third of the tickets were sold to  interstate and overseas visitors. A survey conducted by The Age found that 100%  of athletes said they felt safe in Melbourne  during the games. The spectacular Opening Ceremony saw 80,000 people fill the  Melbourne Cricket Ground, accompanied by more than 100,000 people along the banks  of the Yarra River and in live sites. An estimated  1.5 billion people worldwide tuned in to the start of the event. Melbourne also hosted a $12 million cultural festival  during the games, celebrating diversity and showcasing Victoria’s passion for the arts. (Tourism Australia)

SYDNEY SHOWGROUND WINS

Winning one award is great, winning a second is special and it was smiles all round for the Sydney Showground team following the announcement of their dual success in the 'Specialty Meeting Venue' and 'Catering & Banqueting' categories at the annual Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) NSW Awards held at the Hilton Sydney. The 'Specialty Venue' category is the third win in a row for the Sydney Showground and the second consecutive year the 'Catering & Banqueting' award has been won by the team. (Sydney Olympic Park 19-04-06)

$250K COMMITTED TO RECOVERY CAMPAIGN

Tourism Australia will match the Queensland Government's commitment of $250,000 for a special domestic tourism campaign to assist North Queensland in the wake of Cyclone Larry. The Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey this week announced the $250,000 commitment, which follows the announcement by Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, of the provision of a special grant of $250,000 for the campaign. The campaign will be run over the next three months and designed to ensure that the rest of Australia knows that tourism in North Queensland is open for business. The campaign will also help to drive additional visitation to assist the economic recovery of the region. For more details click here (Tourism Australia 21-04-06)

BUSINESS EVENTS MANAGER ONE OF MOST POWERFUL

Tourism Australia’s Business Events Manager for Europe, Mara Patterson, has been recognised as one of the most influential people in the UK business events industry. Listed in the prestigious Conference and Incentive Travel Magazine's Power 50 ranking, Mara was placed 26th on the list, which was produced following consultation with industry. Mara has become a familiar face in the business events sector through Tourism Australia’s annual workshops and on the Australia stands at business events’ trade shows. As well as featuring in the top 50 of most powerful people in business events, Mara's work in the sector led to Tourism Australia being recognised for its contribution to the business events industry at the prestigious 2006 Meetings & Incentive Travel Industry Awards in the UK back in February 2006.

INDUSTRY URGED TO GET EDUCATED ABOUT WORKCHOICES

With the Federal Government’s new workplace legislation Workchoices now in place Restaurant & Catering Australia is urging its members to attend a series of seminars it’s conducting to provide industry specific information on the changes. In conjunction with the state-based R&C associations, R&C Australia, is conducting 59 of the seminars in metropolitan and regional areas across Australia throughout April and May. R&C Australia John Hart said it was vital that all restaurant and catering business, small, medium, and large gain an understanding of the changes and how they can benefit from them. R&C Australia said businesses that are companies and those that are in Victoria and the Territories would be immediately effected by Workchoices but that every restaurant and catering business should consider whether it is worth opting into the new system.(hospitality magazine 18-04-06)

DE PIERI PROMOTES FOR FRESH FOOD MARKETER

Celebrity chef Stefano de Pieri has signed a deal to become the “face” of Australian fresh fruit and vegetable marketer Perfection Fresh, in a 12-month campaign that will include independent retailer promotions, Sydney and Melbourne markets, “guest chef” appearances, media relations, and recipe development. The campaign aims to capitalise on de Pieri’s reputation as a chef, his support of farmers, growers and irrigators along the Murray River; and his restaurant at the Mildura Grand Hotel, one of only four Victorian country eating establishments to be awarded three hats in The Age Good Food Guide Awards. Perfection Fresh chief executive officer, Michael Simonetta, said Stefano’s unique cooking style, which recreates the cuisine of the Veneto region in his native Italy, would make “superb” use of Perfection Fresh’s 50 specialty and proprietary fresh produce lines. (hospitality magazine 18-04-06)

TETSUYA IN TOP FIVE WORLD'S BEST

Sydney restaurant Tetsuya’s has been named the fifth best restaurant in the world in an annual top fifty list of the globe’s best establishments. The iconic restaurant of Tetsuya Wakuda had slipped one place however from its fourth position last year in the awards run by The Restaurant Magazine. Meanwhile, the only other Australian restaurant to make the list, Neil Perry’s Rockpool has climbed 12 places to number 30. Missing completely was Melbourne’s Flower Drum which was at number 33 last year. Both Wakuda and Perry were at the awards presentation ceremony at London’s Science Museum. Crowned the best restaurant in the world was Spain’s El Bulli which knocked the UK’s The Fat Duck from top top positiong to reclaim its foodie crown. Also in the top five were Pierre Gagnaire (France) at number 4, French Laundry (US) at 4. (hospitality magazine 11-04-06)

AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLER TO PROFILE AUSTRALIAN 101 BEST HOTELS

The June edition of Australian Traveller magazine will reveal the 101 Best Hotels in Australia. Having received more than 80,000 votes, the magazine will reveal Australia's top hotels in the following categories; Luxury Hotels, City Hotels, Boutique Hotels, Family Hotel/Resort, Best Resort, Best Hotel under $200, Best Hotel under $100 and Best Boutique Hotel. There will also be a special feature dedicated to the hotels that were rated highly but did not receive enough votes to make the final 101 list. There are limited advertising opportunities on offer for organisations that would like to participate in this bumper reference issue. For more information, click here. (Tourism Essentials 13-04-06)

SHOWCASE YOUR PRODUCT AT DREAMING FESTIVAL

The 2006 Dreaming Festival will bring together cultural custodians from across the nation as well as a range of international Indigenous performers to celebrate both traditional and contemporary Indigenous expression. This year’s festival will be held from 9 – 12 June just outside the township of Woodford, an hour’s drive north west of Brisbane. A showcase of Indigenous dance, music, storytelling, theatre, comedy, ceremonies, art and an amazing cultural heritage that dates back more than 40,000 years will all be on display. For more information about the event click here. (Tourism Essentials 13-04-06)

MALAYSIANS GET A TASTE OF AUSTRALIA

Twelve culinary personalities from New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria will be on hand for the first time to cook for Malaysian food and wine enthusiasts. A 10-day gourmet extravaganza called A Taste of Australia has been organised by Tourism Australia in conjunction with the Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Tourism Victoria and Tourism New South Wales promoting Australian excellence in tourism, food, wine and culture as well as raising the profile of Australia as a contemporary, cosmopolitan and culturally diverse nation. The event will be held from 22 – 30 April at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur. For more information about the event, click here. (Tourism Essentials 13-04-06)

REQUEST FOR TENDER: TOURISM AUSTRALIA EVENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Tourism Australia invites suitably qualified organisations to submit a tender for the provision of event management services for two up-coming events; Dreamtime 2006 and the Australian Tourism Exchange 2007. Responses for either tender are to be lodged in accordance with the RFT documentation by Tuesday 9 May 2006 For more information, click here <http://www.bcimages.australia.com/trade_events/Trade_Events/Tendering/Tourism_Australia_Request_for_Tender_Advertisement.pdf> (Tourism Essentials 13-04-06)

EXHIBITION INDUSTRY IS SPENDING BIG ON MARKETING

Exhibition organisers are spending an average of $27 per visitor on advertising to attract them to trade events and $13 per visitor for consumer events, according to recent research released by the Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia (EEAA). In total, the exhibition industry’s marketing and advertising spend is in excess of $25 million per annum, a figure which the EEAA hopes notice and start taking the power of the exhibition industry seriously when allocating their clients’ spends. The EEAA commissioned two pieces of research: an industry benchmarking study compiled by Evaluation Solutions; and a study into visitor and exhibitor trends since 2003, produced by Micromex Research. (conworld 29-03-06)

CHEF SAYS LOOK AT BALANCE TO ATTRACT YOUNG

Trying to create work life balance for their staff is one of the ways chefs heading up the operations of some of Australia’s most successful restaurants are aiming to tackle the problem of staff shortages, a panel of chefs has told audiences at Fine Food Queensland. A panel of three chefs, Alastair McLeod from Brisbane restaurant Bretts Wharf, Dayle Merlo of Bistro C in Noosa and Dominique Rizzo of Mondo Organics in Brisbane, said that young people coming into the industry today expected very different conditions than today chefs had experienced in their apprenticeship days. Each said that attracting young people into the industry and retaining them was a major challenge. (hospitalitymagazine 03-04-06)

SYDNEY WINS $A63.8m ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Sydney has won the right to host one of the world’s largest annual international business events, the 2014 Rotary International Convention for 22,000 delegates. The convention will inject an estimated A$63.8 million into the local economy during four days in May 2014, making it one of the largest and most lucrative business events ever mounted in Australia. Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau Managing Director Jon Hutchison said Rotary International had chosen Sydney for the 2014 event on the strength of an earlier bid for the 2012 convention. Sydney’s bid was made jointly by three local Districts of Rotary representing 200 clubs, supported by the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau and the New South Wales Major Events Board. (conworld 28-03-06)

COFFEE NEWCOMER EXPANDS DRIVE THROUGH CONCEPT

Newcomer to the competitive coffee retailing market, Western Australian-based Muzz Buzz, has signalled more aggressive expansion plans with news that it plans to focus on opening more stores on the east coast. Muzz Buzz is a drive-through espresso coffee retailer that launched more than a year ago in Western Australia and now has more than eleven stores there. Its first store outside of WA was launched around eight months ago in Sydney’s Fairfield. It also operates a second Sydney store in but not as a drive through. Managing director of Muzz Buzz Australia Warren Reynolds says the company’s growth strategy includes expansion into other states over the next two years. (hospitalitymagazine 03-04-06)

WAGAMAMA APPOINTS NEW TOP NOODLE

Restaurant chain Wagamama has appointed a new chief executive officer and operations director as part of new organisational restructure for the company that will allow Luke Fryer, who launched the chain in Australia, to focus on growing the business in new markets. New CEO Mark Rowland is formerly the general manager of strategic business development with Coles Myer. Prior to this he was principal consultant of strategic change practice and corporate finance manager with Price Waterhouse Coopers. As well Wagamama has appointed Somer Sivri has been appointed as the new Wagamama operations director. Somer’s background includes managerial positions with Aldi Food Stores, Fox Studios and Hilton Hotel (hospitalitymagazine 10-04-06)

CAIRNS TO HOST BUSINESS EVENTS WORKSHOPS

From 26 to 29 May, the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region will host the first Sell TNQ Workshop, which promotes Tropical Queensland’s business events capabilities and offers meeting and event planners the opportunity to learn more about the destination and to network with key contacts. The workshops are being introduced in the alternate year to the Sell TNQ tradeshow and will be in the format of one-on-one appointments. Click here for more information. (Tourism Events Australia 03-06)

PLANS UNVEILED FOR MELBOURNE'S NEW CONVENTION CENTRE

Multiplex/Plenary Consortium has been announced as the successful tender for Melbourne’s new convention centre. The consortia’s $1 billion proposal includes a 5,000 seat, six-star energy rated convention centre, a five star Hilton Hotel, an office and residential tower, a riverfront promenade of retail shops, a premium brand homemaker retail complex and an investment in public spaces including a partnership with the National Trust for a revitalized Maritime Museum. Construction is scheduled to start after the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and the centre will be operational in 2009. When complete it will be the largest convention centre in Australia. (Tourism Events Australia 03-06)

BUSINESS EVENTS ON THE RISE IN THE SUNSHINE COAST

The Business Events Study, recently undertaken by the Queensland Treasury has revealed a 27 per cent increase in the number of business events being held on the Sunshine Coast over the twelve month period to June 2005. One of the key drivers of growth in this market is the increase in direct flights from southern capitals into Maroochydore airport, with airline capacity rising from 5,600 seats per week in July 2004 to over 9,000 seats per week in June 2005, an increase of over 60 per cent. (Tourism Events Australia 03-06)

CRUISE DOWN UNDER CONFERENCE

Cruise Down Under would like to invite industry to attend Cruise Down Under’s 2006 Conference, to be held in Cairns from 23 - 24 August 2006. The conference will feature international and Australian cruise executives and other cruise industry experts speaking about cruise shipping trends, marketing our destination, itineraries, the passenger experience, and getting into the cruise market for tourism operators. There is also the opportunity to participate in interactive forums and concurrent sessions as well as network with industry members from cruise lines, tour operators, shipping agents, ports and tourism organisations. (Tourism Australia 30-03-06)

TASTING AUSTRALIA SKY HIGH

During April and May, all intercontinental KLM Royal Dutch Airline flights departing from Amsterdam will have the chance to experience Australia. More than 2.5 million Australian 'fusion cuisine' meals will be served on all KLM intercontinental flights, as well as some of the best Australian wines. A special in-flight magazine Taste Australia has been developed that showcases modern Australia as well as a specially created website – www.australianexperience.net – which provides information on the food and wine being served and menus. The website also features information on all major cities in Australia including shopping and dining hot spots, comprehensive information on Australia’s wine regions and links to www.australia.com. Australia was selected because of the 400 year anniversary of the start of the relationship between Australia and the Netherlands. (Tourism Australia 30-03-06)

MEA CONFERENCE SET TO EDUCATE THE INDUSTRY

The national Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) conference will be held next month from 26-29 April 2006 on the Gold Coast. The conference program incorporates a plenary session with high profile presenters on each day, followed by a number of business streams targeted at specific audiences. The program topics have been developed to meet industry needs, and the speakers have been carefully selected to ensure the delivery of valuable insights for attendees. (Tourism Events Australia 03-06)

NATIONAL FOODS BUILDS SHARE OF CHEESE MARKET

Australian dairy company National Foods is set to substantially boost its share of the cheese market with the announcement that it is set to acquire Lactos Pty Ltd from its French parent. Lactos owner Bongrain SA said that an agreement has been signed to sell Lactos and its subsidiaries to National Foods. National Foods—a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation of the Phillipines—already has a substantial share of the Australian cheese market through The King Island Company. Lactos is best known for brands including Lactos, Australian Gold, Mersey Valley and Tasmanian Heritage. The sale is now dependent on government approval which Bongrain said it anticipated would happen within the coming weeks. (hospitalitymagazine 20-03-06)

AUSTRALIA GOES WALKABOUT IN THE US

Tourism Australia, in partnership with Tourism Queensland, Tourism New South Wales, Tourism Victoria, Tourism Northern Territory, Tourism Tasmania and the South Australian Tourism Commision recently hosted a series of roadshow events targeting top media and trade in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC. Timed around Tourism Australia's new campaign launch and the STO's New Product Workshop in market, the Walkabout allowed approximately 150 retail trade and 100 print, broadcast and radio media to learn about Australia's experiences and meet over 25 new experience representatives. The roadshow was the second part in a Walkabout series that visited Chicago and New York last November. For more information on the roadshows, click here. (Tourism Australia 23-03-06) .

TEAM AUSTRALIA VISITS THE UK

The third Team Australia UK/Europe event will be held in London from 5 -10 April 2006. The event aims to increase Team Australia’s presence in the UK and European business events market as well as develop business for the nine bureaux and five participating industry products. The Team Australia UK/Europe event provides a platform for Team Australia to establish relationships with corporate end users and conference and incentive agencies from the UK, France, Germany and Belgium. The program includes one-on-one appointments, team building activities and networking opportunities. For more information about Team Australia, click here . (Tourism Australia 23-03-06)

PACIFIC SET TO SPARKLE AT AIME 2006

With 50 countries represented at AIME 2006 get ready to see some of the most beautiful properties and exotic conference and incentive locations in the world when AIME 2006 opens, 6 and 7 June, Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The Tahiti stand will turn up the heat when Le Méridien Bora Bora shows visitors why it has been awarded French Polynesia’s Leading Spa Resort at the World Travel Awards ceremony, for the second year in a row. Check out the new St Regis Resort Bora Bora, it will be the first St Regis Resort in the French Polynesia when it opens in April. It will also contain the largest suite in the region, the ultra-luxe Royal Suite – at more than 8,000 square feet. Visit the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti Resort & Spa. All rooms have been fully refurbished, a WIFI centre has been built and ADSL lines are now available in 70 rooms. (Schreiber PR
24-03-06)

HOTELS ASSOCIATION OPPOSES ROUND THE CLOCK CHECK TIMES

Once again standardisation is raising its head, is the response of International Hotel and Restaurant (IHandRA) CEO, David McMillan, to consumer advocacy groups calling for regulation that would force hotels to offer flexible check in and check out times and rates for their clients. At the last meeting of the International Organization for Standardization Consumer Policy Committee (ISO-COPOLCO) held in Toronto, Canada in 2005, COPOLCO called for the hotel industry to abandon its fixed check in and check out times. As an example, instead of fixed check in and check out times, which invariably affect consumers adversely, a guest should be charged on a 24 hourly basis, COPOLCO says, ie check in should start from the time he/she actually checks into a hotel and finishes when he/she leaves. (TravelWireNews 14-03-06)

CONSUMERS DEMAND QUALITY, HEALTHY FOODS

When it comes to fast food consumers are continuing to show a greater concern for better quality and healthier food as foodservice increasingly becomes a substitute for meal preparation at home, according to the latest Fast Food in Australia report.The report from industry analyst and forecaster BIS Shrapnel predicts that the trend towards healthier eating will prove to be just as sustained as it has proven to be in Britain where the trend looks unstoppable. (hospitalitymagazine 20-03-06)

PUBS TO TRADE ALL HOURS

Hotels, clubs, restaurants and bottle shops are about to enter a period of unrestricted trading in South Australia. Under a 1984 Act of Parliament for the Grand Prix, the Clipsal 500 week is a prescribed period allowing round the clock trading in liquor from 12.01am on 21 March until midnight 27 March, throughout the State. Other restrictions still apply. (hospitalitymagazine 19-03-06)

AIME WINS INDUSTRY AWARD

AIME 2005 has won the Event of the Year Award in the Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) state finals, placing it in the running for the national award to be announced at the MEA National Conference in April. AIME, the AsiaPacific Incentives and Meetings Expo, is the largest international industry event held in Australia and an economically significant event for the Asia Pacific. Accepting the award on behalf of Reed Travel Exhibitions, AIME Event Director, Rosemarie Sama said that she was delighted to receive the award for AIME. Each year it brings into this country, major international buyers of convention and incentive business. For AIME 2005 those buyers were expected to spend US$590 million dollars in the Asia Pacific region. (Conworld.net 14-03-06)

SUNSHINE COAST CONVENTION BUREAU WINS QUEENSLAND AWARD

The Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau (SCCB) has taken out the 2005 Queensland Award for Best Convention Bureau/Tourist Organisation at the 2005 Meeting and Events Industry Awards held on the Gold Coast at the weekend. Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa were also successful at the awards, winning the 2005 Queensland Award for Best Meeting Venue for 150-500 delegates. SCCB Conference and Incentive Manager, Anne-Marie Coulton believes the award reflects the growing importance of business events to the region. “Meeting and Events Australia is the peak body for Business Events in Australia and it is a great accolade for the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau to receive this award. (conworld 12-03-06)

GAMES BRING BEST OF VICTORIAN FOOD AND WINE

With the Commonwealth Games less than a week away, the Melbourne Food and Wine program is kicking off by showcasing some of Victoria's fabulous food and wine at the free Festival Melbourne 2006. Why not check out  fresh produce at the Victorian Producers' Market or the ultimate cooking competition between some of Melbourne’s best chefs at the Culinary Pro Am of the Commonwealth. If you are still hungry for more, you can enjoy dishes from 100 of Victoria's best restaurants as they present specially designed menus matched with premium Victorian wines served by the glass during the Commonnwealth Games. (Tourism Australia 09-03-06)

CHEFS SHARPEN KNIVES FOR CULINARY GAMES

As the athletes prepare to represent their countries on the sporting arena so too are some of the Melbourne’s top chefs now preparing to go for the top accolades in the culinary version of the Commonwealth Games. A group of Melbourne chefs, each representing a Commonealth nation will be leading their teams in a head to head cooking challenge as they compete in the Culinary Pro Am of the Commonwealth which will run over five days from next Monday. Their task will be to impress the judges with their preparation of a two course meal in 45 minutes. The chefs include Raymond Capaldi (competing for Scotland), George Calombaris (Cyprus), Teage Ezard (Australia), Allan Koh (Malaysia), Marc Brown (Jamaica), Jacques Reymond (Fiji), Peter Gordon (New Zealand) and Ian Curley (England). The Culinary Pro Am is part of Festival Melbourne 2006. (hospitalitymagazine 13-03-06)

SYDNEY SIDERS WIN IN TIPPING STAKES

In good news for Sydney restaurants the city’s residents have been found to be the most generous when it comes to forking over a tip at the end of their meal. The Citibank Dining Insights survey revealed Sydney diners were the nation’s most generous with nearly 40 per cent saying they would tip after a meal, regardless of the service they received. Adelaide restaurant goers were found to be the tightest with only 20 per cent prepared to always live a tip. And a high earning diner is not a guarantee of a fat reward for restaurants with the nation’s well paid—those who earn $80,000 plus a year turning out to be the biggest scrooges with just one in three (33%) saying they always tip after a meal compared to 41% of those on half that wage. The survey conducted by Woolcott Research for Citibank as part of the launch of the new Citibank Dining Guide in partnership with de Groots Best Restaurants which offers special privileges to Citibank customers when they dine at participating restaurants. (hospitalitymagazine 13-03-06)

AUSTRALIA TEAMS UP TO PROMOTE BUSINESS EVENTS

The 2006 Team Australia Business Events Educational (TABEE) was held this week from the 27 February to 1 March. The event showcased Australia's capability as a destination for business events, by highlighting Australian destinations and product offerings. Around 100 Corporate end-users and travel agents from the Asian region met with approximately 60 Australian representatives from Tourism Australia, convention bureaux and Australian tourism product. (Tourism Australia 06-03-06)

AUSTRALIAN CREPE CHAIN HEADS TO MIDDLE EAST

One of Australia’s fastest growing food outlet franchises The Crêpe Café is taking its model to the Middle East. Launched in 2001 on the Gold Coast, The Crêpe Café says it will open its first Middle East store in Bahrain Seef Mall in June/July this year after the Master Franchise Rights for the Middle-East and the Arab World were sold to a Bahraini Group with strong interests in the area. Over the next five years its expected 30 to 50 outlets will be opened in Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia with further expansion in Pakistan. The Crêpe Café Group says it has carved a unique market niche in Australia by focusing on fresh, healthy ingredients for made-to-order traditional savoury and sweet crêpes, waffles and pancakes that can be served at breakfast lunch or dinner. (hospitalitymagazine 06-0306)

AUSTRALIANS LOVE COFFEE BUT ROOM FOR GROWTH

Australians love their coffee but despite the growth they are still being beaten on consumption by lovers of the bean in Italy, Japan and some Scandinavian countries. According to a new study of our coffee habits by BIS Shrapnel the number of coffees served by the Australian foodservice industry had grown by 65% in the last ten years to a total of 1.26 billion in 2005 with the major providers being cafes (350 million) followed by hotels/motels. In 2005, the value of the Australian coffee market — including instant coffee and ground/beans roasted — reached $840m (valued at wholesale prices). Despite the impact of these coffee chains on Australian consumption of coffee and the growth in café culture, international player Starbucks has had limited success in the Australian market, with only 58 outlets opened country-wide so far. (hospitalitymagazine 27-02-06)

CAMPASPE COUNTRY HOUSE HEAD CHEF WINS AUSTRALIAN TITLE

Brad Lobb, Campaspe Country House Head Chef, won a blistering Iron Chef style cook off to clinch the International Association of Conference Centre’s (IACC) Australian Chef of the Year title. He will now travel to Colorado in March to represent Australia at the world titles. The cook off was held at Deakin Management Centre, Geelong. The chefs were required to create a single dish from a list of pantry items, with a few secret ingredients thrown in to add spice – all in just half an hour. If that wasn’t difficult enough there was a theme, Cuisine Provençale – food from the sun drenched French region of Provence. Brad created a modern dish inspired by the French classic, Cassoulet – Sliced Rare Breast of Duck with a stack of Eggplant, Red Peppers, Cannellini Beans and Basil and a salsa of Roma Tomatoes, Black Truffle, Garlic and Thyme. Needless to say the dish wowed the judges, taking out first prize and sees Brad heading over to Colorado to participate in the Third Annual International Copper Skillet Competition for IACC Global Chef of the Year. (Campaspe House 21-02-06)

YARRA REDEVELOPMENT SECURES MELBOURNE AS BUSINESS EVENTS CAPITAL

Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement appointing Multiplex/Plenary Consortium as the successful tender for the Melbourne Convention Centre contract. The consortia’s $1 billion proposal includes a 5,000 seat, six-star energy rated convention centre, a five star Hilton Hotel, an office and residential tower, a riverfront promenade of retail shops, a premium brand homemaker retail complex and an investment in public spaces including a partnership with the National Trust for a revitalized Maritime Museum. Construction is scheduled to start after the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and the centre will be operational in 2009. (MCVB 23-02-06)

TOURISM AUSTRALIA WINS BUSINESS EVENTS AWARD

Tourism Australia has been recognised for its contribution to the business events industry at the prestigious 2006 Meetings & Incentive Travel Industry Awards in the UK. For more information on business events activities click here . (Tourism Australia)

PERTH CENTRE NAMED AUSTRALIA'S BEST

Its now official!  Australia’s newest purpose-built convention, exhibition and meeting venue, the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre (Perth Centre) is the best in the country, having won the highly coveted ‘Meetings and Business Tourism’ title at last night’s 2005 Australian Tourism Awards. The prestigious national Awards are the benchmark for excellence in Australia’s tourism industry. Announced at a gala ceremony on the Gold Coast, the Perth Centre beat a tough field of contenders representing the best in the business.  Among the other finalists were Intercontinental Hotels Group, Northern Territory; Quality Southbank Hotel & Convention Centre, Queensland; Novotel North Beach, New South Wales; Level 1 Adelaide Hilton Hotel, South Australia; Marylands Country House, Victoria; and The Old Wool Store Apartment Hotel, Tasmania.

STEDMANS LAUNCHES TRAINING SCHOOL

With predictions that staffing shortages will present an even greater challenge for the hospitality industry this year, event and function staffing agency Stedmans Hospitality has launched a school of hospitality and events. Called SITE —Stedmans institute training and education — will offer short courses designed specifically for people working the area of events. lSITE principals, Mandy Foley-Quin and Keira Mackenzie-Smith say there are ‘vast disparities between current event staff skill levels and client expectations. Stedmans Hospitality is the leading supplier of casual wait staff and bartenders to the events industry across Sydney, NSW, Australia and internationally. Amongst its credits is the management of the IOC dining facilities at the Athens Olympics as well as for the Winter Olympics now on in Turin. (hospitalitymagazine 20-02-06)

HOTELS COMMIT TO REDUCE WASTE, WATER USE

Fifteen Melbourne hotels are expecting to cut the amount of rubbish sent to landfill from their premises by between 20-40% within the coming year as part of a program launched by the City of Melbourne. The hotels are part of the City of Melbourne’s Savings in the City, an environmental program to help businesses to reduce waste and energy and water consumption. City of Melbourne Lord Mayor John So said the hotels were now Waste Wise-certified and had been benchmarked against international environmental standards. The program is building a support network for hotels to gain access to professional advice about a range of resources where natural resource minimisation has positive environmental and financial implications. (hospitalitymagazine 20-02-06)

NEW STADIUM FINANCIAL CONTROLLER APPOINTED

Ogden IFC has announced the appointment of Julie O’Keeffe as Financial Controller at Suncorp Stadium. Ms O’Keeffe brings to the Stadium 32 years experience in accounting and financial management and 13 years experience in the convention and exhibition industry. For the past six months, Ms O’Keeffe has been Manager of Special Projects with Ogden IFC Head Office reviewing group-wide IT and financial operating systems, as well as providing specialist financial input into the company’s project management bids. (Suncorp 08-02-06)

TEAM AUSTRALIA BUSINESS EVENTS EDUCATIONAL

The eighth Team Australia Business Events Educational will be held in Thailand at the InterContinental Bangkok Hotel, from 27 February - 1 March 2006. The event aims to maintain Team Australia's presence in the Asian business events market and develop new business for the 11 Team Australia members and 35 participating products. Tourism Australia has sourced travel agents, incentive and meeting planners as well as corporate end users from 10 Asian markets to participate in one-on-one appointments, team building activities and networking opportunities. For more information on Team Australia, click here. (Tourism Australia 16-02-06)

FIRST BUSINESS EVENTS SEMINAR HELD IN KOREA

Tourism Australia has held its first Korean Business Events seminar, targeting the Korean travel industry and corporate clients. The seminar was held from 9 - 10 February in Seoul and focused on Tourism Australia's marketing strategies for Business Events. For more information, click here. (Tourism Australia 16-02-06)

NEW SIGNAGE SHOWS THE WAY

Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has taken a new direction with its signage, launching new building and venue names and installing one of Australia's largest digital screen display systems. More than 150 LCD display screens are now located throughout the Centre, along with new fixed signage designed to make it easy for visitors to navigate the venue. Under the name changes, two of the Centre's key buildings, formerly known as Convention Centre North and Convention Centre South, have been renamed Convention Centre Bayside and Convention Centre Parkside to better reflect their Darling Harbour surrounds. (MGMedia 15-02-06)

STAGING CONNECTIONS APPOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER

Teresa Amey is the new General Manager for Staging Connections’ Sydney office. Teresa is a highly experienced senior manager who has worked for Staging Connections for nine years, spending the last seven years as Sydney’s Venue Services Manager. (Staging Connections 09-02-05)

SPINACH WINS MECC TENDER

After an open tender completed late in 2005, Melbourne shop Spinach has emerged as the winner of the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre account. The three year appointment comes just before the announcement of the successful consortium that will build a 5000 seat convention centre adjacent to the existing Melbourne Exhibition Centre along the south bank of the Yarra River. The primary purpose of the appointment is to maximise international, national and local business opportunities for MECC in the interim and post the launch of the new convention centre. By 2009 when the new centre opens for business, Melbourne will have the most versatile and flexible conference and exhibition facilities in Australia, making Melbourne the Australasian venue of choice for global conventions. (MECC 07-02-06)

INTERLUDE CHEF TO GUEST CHEF AT CAMPASPE HOUSE

Celebrated chef, Robin Wickens, of Melbourne’s Interlude restaurant will be cooking a degustation menu on Saturday 25th February at Campaspe Country House as part of the Harvest Picnic Foundation Festival. Robin Wickens’ menus are a food-lover’s delight, daring in their use of less familiar ingredients such as snails, pig’s trotters and eel. Wickens has been cooking professionally for more than 13 years - including 21/2 years at Raymond Blanc's Oxford restaurant Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons. Not surprisingly there is a lot of classical French discipline in what he does but he is not afraid to stretch those boundaries and, when combined with fresh Australian ingredients, the result is something entirely original. Robin and his restaurant, Interlude, have both been showered with awards including a coveted ‘two hats’ and ‘Young Chef of the Year’ by the Age Good Food Guide, Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide’s ‘Best New Talent’ and the Restaurant and Catering Association’s ‘Best Modern Australian Restaurant’. (Campaspe House 08-02-06)

TRAVELODGE ADDS HUNTER PROPERTY TO PORTFOLIO

Toga Hospitality has acquired a new hotel at Newcastle on the NSW Hunter Coast with plans to rebrand it as a Travelodge Hotel. Formerly the Capri Plaza Hotel, the Travelodge Newcastle will be the tenth Travelodge Hotel to be added to the rapidly expanding portfolio. It will undergo a $3m refurbishment. The purchase of The Capri Plaza Hotel was a joint venture between JF Meridian and NRMA and will be operated by Toga Hospitality from 1 February. Travelodge Hotels now offer 1,750 rooms across 10 hotels in Australia with the latest acquisition a key part of Toga Hospitality’s growth strategy across Australia. Travelodge Hotels are managed by Toga Hospitality which also operates Medina Apartment Hotels, Vibe Hotels in Australia and Adina Apartment Hotels in Europe. (hospitalitymagazine 06-02-06)

MECC APPOINTS CORPORATE SALES MANAGER

The Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC) has appointed Mr Chris Lamb as corporate sales manager. Chris joined the MECC’s sales and marketing team in late January after seven years with the Grand Hotel. In his role at the MECC, Chris is responsible for a range of sales activities that will generate business from the corporate sector. He is also responsible for managing the existing local and national business accounts. Chris will play an important role in positioning the MECC as an outstanding facility for corporate meetings, functions and seminars. Chris has a background in sales and most recently was responsible for organising conference and incentive events. During his previous roles, Chris developed close working relationships with the key corporate contacts and meeting organisers  (MECC 09-02-06)

OGDEN IFC TO MANAGE SYDNEY SUPERDOME
 
Ogden IFC has been appointed as the long term venue manager at the Sydney SuperDome following negotiations with Sydney SuperDome leaseholder, Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd and the approval of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. This was announced today by Ogden IFC Group CEO, Harvey Lister. Mr Lister said Ogden IFC intended optimising the business result at the venue with a focus on driving more revenue from existing event activities as well as on additional concert, sporting, exhibition and family events. He said Ogden IFC, the largest venue management company in the Asia Pacific region, was well equipped to take the SuperDome to the next level in terms of the financial return from the venue’s event activity. (Ogden 09-02-06)

PERTH CENTRE'S AWARD WINNING SUCCESS CONTINUES

The award-winning credentials of the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre (Perth Centre) have continued to escalate, with the venue taking out the ‘Function / Convention Centre Catering’ title at the 2005 WA R&CIA (Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Australia) Awards for Excellence in Catering, announced in Perth this week. Representing the benchmark for excellence in Western Australia’s functions and convention market, the title is testament to the Perth Centre’s high quality approach to catering. The Award is the latest in a growing list of awards won by the Perth Centre in recent months, including the prestigious Catering Institute of Australia (WA) 2005 Gold Plate Award for Venue Caterers, the 2005 Western Australian Tourism Award for Meetings & Business and the Kimberly-Clark Professional 2005 Golden Service Award. (PCEC 10-02-06)

CAIRNS TO HOST AUSTRALIA'S PHYSIOS

For the first time in its history, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) will hold one event which will bring together its twelve national sub-groups that include physiotherapists from the areas of Sport, Neurology, Continence and Women’s Health. In October 2007, over 1000 delegates will meet at the Cairns Convention Centre for the week long conference that is already being billed as the biggest educational event for physiotherapists ever held in Australia, an event that will bring over AUD4 .5 million to the Cairns economy. (Conworld.net 25-01-06)

SYDNEY TO WELCOME 30,000 DELEGATES IN 2006

Sydney is poised to welcome almost 30,000 international conference delegates this year, with 30 major business events secured by the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau to be held in 2006.The events are worth an estimated A$136 million to the economy of New South Wales and include eight conferences of 1000 delegates or more. (Conworld.net 25-01-06)

SINGAPOREANS GET INTO M2006 GAMES SPIRIT

With less than 50 days to go until the start of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, Singaporeans are getting into the Games spirit thanks to a joint Tourism Australia/Tourism Victoria promotion. The first phase of the campaign included an editorial series on Victoria and the Games, complemented by tactical advertisements in Singapore's leading newspapers, and an SMS consumer promotion in the Straits Times. The promotion has generated a huge response from Singaporean consumers. For more details on the campaign, click here <http://reporting.australia.com/redirect.aspx?id=350> . (Tourism Essentials 02-02-06)

AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS

Tourism Australia is proud to be the principal sponsor of the Australian Tourism Awards. Tickets to the awards are on sale now. To further support the awards and the tourism industry, Tourism Australia has also negotiated several national media deals to raise the profile of the finalists and winners, encouraging Australian consumers to travel domestically and experience the best of Australia. For more information click here. To secure your place at the Australian Tourism Awards click here. (Tourism Essentials 02-02-06)

AUSTRALIAN TOURISM ON SHOW DURING QUEEN'S BATON RELAY

The  Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton Relay is the world's longest, most inclusive  relay, traveling more than 180,000 kilometers and visiting all 71 nations of the  Commonwealth in one year and a day. The baton  will touch down and the relay will commence in Australia on January 24, 2006. It  will visit more than 500 Australian communities and be carried more than 21,500  kilometres by 3,500  relay runners. Tourism Australia will be partnering the Queen's Baton Relay with eight Young Tourism Ambassadors  joining the relay team. At the end of each day of its journey across Australia, the Melbourne 2006  Queen's Baton will be greeted with an evening ceremony, hosted by local  communities where these young tourism ambassadors will speak and encourage Australians to holiday within their own country. Click here for more information on the Queen's Baton Relay including the Australian Runners Schedule. (Tourism Events 03-02-06)

NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR PERTH CENTRE

The Perth Convention Exhibition Centre has announced two new specialist appointments to support the venue's business development in 2006. Linda Benson has been appointed Commercial Manager for the Perth Centre, overseeing all accounting, finance and administration responsibilities, as well as commercial matters such as supplier relationships, legal and insurance. The Perth Centre has appointed Janelle Forward as National Corporate Sales Manager, responsible for driving meetings and convention business with new and existing clients across Australia and New Zealand (Conworld.net 30-01-06).

SEARCH FOR AUSSIE CHEFS FOR US BONDI

The company behind the launch of a new Australian-themed restaurant chain in the United States is searching for Australian chefs, including an executive chef, and other hospitality professionals. Called Bondi, the chain is due to launch in July this year with the first outlet to be located in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. The Australian-owned parent company behind the concept, Bondi Lifesaver USA LLC, plans to open a further six restaurants in southern California. Bondi is the brainchild of West Australian hospitality and entertainment veterans Julian Heppekausen (CEO), Michael Cameron (chief operating officer), and David Zampatti (chief concept officer). As part of an aim to five Bondi a “genuinely authentic feel” the company plans for Australians to make up 60% of each outlets staff (hospitalitymagazine 27-01-06).

CAMPASPE COUNTRY HOUSE HEAD CHEF WINS AUSTRALIAN TITLE

Brad Lobb, Campaspe Country House Head Chef, won a blistering "Iron Chef" style cook off last Friday night to clinch the International Association of Conference Centre's (IACC) Australian Chef of the Year title. Chefs were required to design their menu and submit the entry with photos for judging. Three finalists were chosen and were required to undertake a cook off to select the overall winner. The theme " Cuisine Provençale" - food inspired from the sun drenched French region of Provence - and Lobb's winning dish was inspired by the French classic, cassoulet - Sliced Rare Breast of Duck with a stack of Eggplant, Red Peppers, Cannellini Beans and Basil and a salsa of Roma Tomatoes, Black Truffle, Garlic and Thyme. (Campaspe House 30-01-06).

AUSTRALIA DAY TRIBUTE LUNCH

Gourmet produce from around the nation was on offer at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre this month, as the venue hosted the annual Australia Day lunch for 1500 guests. Executive Chef Detlef Haupt created a mouthwatering meal that began with an entrée of Angus beef from northern NSW, cured and sliced and served with a miso sauce featuring seaweed from South Australia. For main course, guests were served grilled rare tuna from Mooloolaba, in southern Queensland, accompanied by an eggplant caviar and a putivier of duck confit and red wine jus. Australia's wonderful summer citrus fruits came into play for dessert - a vanilla bean and yoghurt pannacotta with an orange and lime compote. In all, Detlef and his team of 12 chefs used more than 90 kilograms of beef and 300 kilograms of tuna at the lunch, held on January 20, six days before Australia Day. MG Media Communications 27-01-06)

QUEENSLAND HEADS SOUTH TO POACH WORKERS

The Queensland hospitality industry is eyeing workers from the south of the border in its strategy to overcome a chronic shortage of skilled workers. A new lifestyle and work expo @Work and Play — Queensland on Show is being held in Sydney in August this year with the aim of providing a venue for Queensland employers to pitch their market to skilled hospitality workers from the country’s largest marketplace. The event is being sponsored by the Queensland Government as part of its ongoing campaign to solve the problem of a lack of skilled workers which is restricting growth opportunities in the state. Acting Premier Anna Bligh launched the event this week saying that heading to New South Wales was a necessary step to fuel growth in Queensland industry promising to use the cheaper cost of living and the lifestyle of Queensland to tempt your workers north. The @ Work and Play – Queensland on Show exhibition will be held at the Sydney Superdome in Sydney Olympic Park from August 11-13 2006. (hospitalitymagazine 20-01-06)

NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE TO UNDERGO MAJOR REFURBISHMENTS  

The National Convention Centre in Canberra will undergo major refurbishments over the next 18 months, with the first stage of internal works commencing as early as mid 2006. This upgrade project, with an estimated value of $30 million, would provide significantly improved functionality and appeal for the centre (Tourism Events).

AUSTRALIA WEEK SHOWCASES MAJOR EVENTS AT GALA DINNER  

Tourism Australia hosted the 2006 Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) dinner recently in Los Angeles as part of the Australia Week Celebrations. With a focus on Major Events, the dinner showcased Australia to this influential group, as a leader in attracting and hosting global events. The overall objective of Australia Week is to raise Australia's commercial and cultural profile in Southern California. The key theme for G'Day LA is Australia - a great place to do business, source products, invest or visit and this dinner forms part of a colourful and spectacular calendar of activities. The week consisted of more than 15 events aimed to reach key decision makers, US buyers and influencers, consumers and potential investors. Events ranged from contemporary Australian art exhibitions to fashion catwalk displays, film premiers, trade day exhibitions, business seminars, energy security forums, as well as supermarket promotions. Australia Week celebrations conclude this Sunday (Tourism Events).

CROP SCIENTISTS TO DESCEND ON MELBOURNE

Melbourne has secured another international scientific congress for the new Melbourne Convention Centre to be constructed by the end of 2008 adjacent to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre (MECC). The International Congress for the Chemistry of Crop Protection will bring 1,500 delegates to Melbourne in 2010 to present achievements of science and technology and exchange opinions about pesticide chemistry and bioscience. Melbourne won the event following strong competition from Washington DC. According to Dr Greg Simpson, Deputy Chief, CSIRO, Molecular Health and Technologies the congress committee was extremely impressed with Melbourne’s new Convention Centre development. (Conworld.net 13-01-06)

HAT TRICK FOR MORETON HIRE

Moreton Hire, the 35 year old, national equipment hire company, has scored a hat trick, winning three contracts worth more than $5 million to supply equipment to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, Volvo Ocean Race and Australian Open Tennis Championships. The largest contract is for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and has been awarded to Moreton Hire in consortia with PICO. Together, PICO Moreton Consortium will supply 5.7 kilometres of wall paneling, 45,000 square metres of carpet and more than 20,000 square metres of tents across 31 venues. Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Harnden, welcomed Pico Moreton Consortium as an Official Provider to the Games. The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness 4500 elite athletes from 71 nations taking part in the XVIII Commonwealth Games to be held from 15-26 March 2006. (Schreiber PR 17-01-06)

DELEGATES RECOMMEND MELBOURNE

A recent study has revealed that 73% of international convention delegates and 80% of domestic delegates would recommend Melbourne as a holiday destination following high levels of satisfaction with the city during their stay. The study commissioned by Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC) found that over 71% of international and domestic convention delegates are ‘extremely satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with Melbourne as a convention destination. The level of satisfaction from international delegates was based on the perception that Melbourne is a ‘friendly’ and ideal ‘location’ for a convention. Domestic delegate’s satisfaction was based on Melbourne being ideal for shopping and a ‘convenient’ destination with ‘easy access’. Food and transport were also high on the satisfaction list. Delegates also rated Melbourne above average in terms of the costs of food and beverages, accommodation, clearance through customs on arrival in Australia and Visa requirements. 82% of international delegates noted that the time taken to travel to Melbourne had no, little or minimal impact on the overall enjoyment and satisfaction they found in Melbourne. The Melbourne Delegate Study 2004 was conducted at seven conferences held in Melbourne during October and November 2004. (Schreiber PR 19-01-06)

GAMES CATERING VILLAGE FOR VIPS DUMPED

Plans for a giant corporate hospitality village in the heart of this years Commonwealth Games action have been abandoned by Melbourne 2006 organisers afte a lack of interest from the corporate sector. Thousands of corporate VIPs from around Australia and overseas were expected to use the lavish village as a base during the 12 days of the Games. Numerous supply and delivery companies involved in the set up and catering of the proposed village have been left inconvenienced by the cancellation. The proximity of most Games venues to Melbourne's central business district means that five star hotels and restaurants will instead pick up most of the massive corporate splurge expected during the Games. With numerous heads of state, VIPs and 90,000 overseas and interstate visitors expected to attend, corporate spending on wining, dining and entertaining during the Games is expected to run into the millions. (The Age 21-01-06)

QANTAS CHEWS FAT WITH POTENTIAL CATERERS

Qantas says it is continuing its discussions with several catering industry players in its review of a proposal to sell its catering unit Qantas Flight Catering Holdings. Qantas’ executive general manager for airports and catering Grant Fenn earlier this week confirmed that Qantas was looking at a number of options and had had discussions with various players in the industry. He said that the discussions were “at an early stage” and that no decision had been made. A Qantas spokesman today said that there was still no decision. He would not confirm who the potential buyers were however media reports have pointed to Gate Gourmet, LSG Sky Chefs, and the catering arms of Singapore Airlines and Emirates as likely possibilities (hospitalitymagazine 20-01-06).