Almost 400 guests gathered at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Tuesday night for a glamorous evening of celebration at the venue’s signature event for the year. The grand banquet room was transformed into an opulent dinner setting, showcasing the adaptability of the space, the venue’s leading in-house audio-visual and unparalleled food and [...]

ISES Melbourne Chapter are thrilled that the annual ISES Student Conference, being held at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on Wednesday 23rd May, is once again heading for record breaking attendances. To be officially opened by Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, this year’s conference will explore the concept that “Only Live Gives You Five” – [...]

The Proposal That one of Australia’s capital cities should stage an Indigenous Arts Festival of world standing every two or four years, to honor and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and indigenous cultures from around the world, as a major new visitor attraction. Rationale In a country in which indigenous culture has such [...]

(Address by Sandy Hollway to launch the 2012 Australian Event Awards and the 2012 Australian Event Symposium, 15 May 2012) I would like to thank you all for being with us this evening for the joint-launch of two of the most important fixtures on the calendar of the Australian events industry — the 2012 Australian [...]

Melbourne has officially been recognised as the number one city in Australia for conferences and congresses, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher announced today. The Country and City Ranking Report 2011, produced by The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), saw Melbourne ranked ahead of any other Australian city at number 31 in [...]

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher and Minister for Public Transport and Roads Terry Mulder have today announced that Melbourne has won the right to host the prestigious Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress in October 2016. Expected to attract more than 5000 delegates to the city and generate more than $23.5 million [...]

The Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA) will step up its lobbying of the Victorian Government after it failed to provide funding for the expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in the State Budget handed down last week. Event organisers and suppliers had hoped Victoria would follow the lead of NSW where [...]

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has launched the inaugural EEAA Market Monitor and it reveals a strong and vibrant industry that injects hundreds of millions of dollars into the Australian economy. The report shows that 12 new shows are expected to be launched in 2012. Covering the second half of 2011, the [...]

When Darwin Convention Centre opened its doors in June 2008, it made a commitment to support its host city’s evolving position as an international business powerhouse. The presence of a facility of the international quality and standing of the Darwin Convention Centre has proved to be a powerful additional attraction for Darwin as an outstanding [...]

55 Sydney EAs (Executive Assistants) & PAs( Personal Assistants) from leading corporate organisations, will experience some of the Hunter Valley’s leading meeting and conference product during a one day familiarisation this Saturday 5th May. Hunter Valley Convention Bureau is co-hosting the visit with the Executive Assistant’s Network and Murray’s Coaches and is supported by leading [...]

Two more significant international convention and exhibition centre awards have been added to the growing AEG Ogden trophy cabinet. This week, the AEG Ogden managed Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) was judged “Middle East’s Leading Convention and Exhibition Centre” at the 2012 World Travel Awards in Dubai. The annual World Travel Awards acknowledge, reward and [...]

At first sight a urological conference might not appear to be a logical venue for a historic and emotional medal ceremony – yet that is exactly what happened at the 65th Annual Society Meeting of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, held at the Darwin Convention Centre last week (April 21 – 24). [...]

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today announced that the Harvard World Model United Nations Conference 2013 (WorldMUN), one of the world’s largest student-led international meetings, will be held in Melbourne next year. Ms Asher said Melbourne fended off competition from Spain, France and Turkey to host the event, which was expected to [...]

Scene Change has won the National Prize at the Meetings and Events Australia Industry Awards, in the category of Technical and Creative Production (Branch Turnover <$5m). The award went to Scene Change Tasmania, winners of their state award for the last 4 years. “We’re incredibly proud of going from startup to national award winner in [...]

More than 5000 clinicians and scientists from over 50 countries around the world specialising in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will convene in Melbourne for the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine’s (ISMRM) 20th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Saturday. The ISMRM is a world?wide [...]

Applications open for the British Council’s 2012 Realise Your Dream awards Celebrating 10 years of nurturing Australian creative talent, the British Council’s Realise Your Dream awards are now bigger and better than ever. This year, three lucky winners will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize and a return trip to theUK, where they will be [...]

The Cairns Convention Centre will host 13 international conventions with over 8,000 delegates in the coming six months as the city gets ready to welcome the world. In addition to international visitors the Centre will also welcome over 4,000 national conference delegates in what promises to be an exciting year for the region. Some upcoming [...]

Organisers of the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME), Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), today announced new show dates for AIME 2013, which will now take place on the 26 and 27 February 2013. Previously announced March 2013 dates have been revised as exhibition space at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) became available in [...]

The highlight for the Darwin contingent at last week’s MEA conference was the announcement that the 2013 National Conference will be held in Darwin. Malu Barrios, General Manager of the Darwin Convention Centre said the MEA win was a considerable achievement for Darwin which previously hosted the event in 1997, but is a truly memorable [...]

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has won an extraordinary four awards in the national Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Awards for a second consecutive year. The Centre’s wins were achieved across a broad range of categories, from In-house AV Services and Banquet and Catering, to Corporate Social Responsibility and Education, reflecting its world-class services [...]

Representation at this year’s Australian Business Events Expo (ABEE) is strong from diverse and regional areas, making the show a truly national snapshot of the whole business events industry. The Expo has been successful in securing representatives from Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Canberra, NSW and the Northern Territory. “The opportunity to provide an exceptional [...]

At the recent Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) Industry National Awards Night the red carpet was rolled out for the attendees with a virtual audience cheering on the finalists through a LIVE webcast. Staging Connections successfully created a branded online portal that allowed an Australian and International audience to view this important event. The webcast [...]

ExpoNet has claimed two of the event industry’s highest national honours for excellence being awarded winner in the Exhibition Services category and taking home the coveted Platinum Award at the Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) National Awards. The events supplier received the MEA Awards accolades for its outstanding provision of products and services to the [...]

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) won the major venue award at this year’s Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) National Awards in Sydney this week. Operated by leading international venue management group, AEG Ogden, BCEC was named Australia’s best Meeting Venue – 500 Delegates or More from a highly competitive national field of entries in [...]

Renowned NSW venue and catering collection, Doltone House takes out the national 2011 Meetings & Events Industry Award in the Speciality Meeting Venue category as well as national 2011 Cause Related Event of The Year for the Biaggio Signorelli Foundation event. After being announced NSW state winner for both categories in the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) [...]

The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau’s (MCVB) Beverley Williamson has been named Business Development Person of the Year, as well as the coveted Meetings or Events Professional of the Year, at this year’s prestigious Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) National Awards. Announced on Tuesday night at the 25th MEA Annual Conference Awards in Sydney, Ms [...]

Business Events Sydney’s (BESydney) talent, expertise and strategic thinking was recognised and celebrated at last night’s Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) National Industry Awards with Australia’s leading convention bureau winning the Metropolitan Destination Marketing Organisation Award and Senior Consultant Ian Stuart being honoured with the ‘Outstanding Contribution Award. 2011 was a year of exciting change [...]

The spectacular climax to the Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) 2012 National Conference was the 2011 National Industry Awards gala dinner. Over 650 meetings and events professionals gathered at the Parkside Ballroom, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre to await the anticipated announcement of the winners in a beautifully styled black-tie event. 34 awards were presented [...]

A lot of pain for very little gain, says meetings industry veteran by Nate Cochran It won’t be completed for five years, but already NSW’s shuttering of its premier Sydney convention precinct for a revamp has been labelled as half the size it needs to be and lacking vision to meet the state’s needs in [...]

For four days in May, more than 1200 Lions from all around Australia will gather at the Burswood Entertainment Complex, Perth for their annual Convention.  This year their celebrations will be doubled as they mark the 50th year of Lions in Western Australia and the 60th Australian Convention. With 1300 Lions clubs in Australia and [...]

Australia’s leading convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney), is ramping up for next week’s 25th Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) National Conference in Sydney, with three staff members and an Ambassador taking to the stage for sessions on the program. BESydney representatives will tackle topics including the keys to securing event sponsors, the benefits of [...]

You are invited to walk the virtual red carpet and be part of the glitz and glamour of the Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) National Awards Night. On the evening of Tuesday 24 April, Staging Connections will be presenting the 2011 MEA National Awards via live webcast. The webcast will give meetings and events professionals [...]

Tourism Accommodation Australia (NSW) strongly welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement that $1 billion will be invested in creating Australia’s first fully integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct on a 20 hectare site at Darling Harbour. TAA (NSW) director Carol Giuseppi welcomed reports from NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell that a new hotel was among the options [...]

The Australian Event Awards and Australian Event Symposium will be launched together on 15 May 2012, revealing the hotly anticipated 2012 Symposium program and providing the first glimpse into the Event Awards for this year. Sandy Hollway AO will also present insights into both programs and the state of the industry. Two of the events industry’s most [...]

ISES will celebrate in high style and for one night only it’s the ISES Penthouse at Mon Bijou. Set amongst the clouds high above Melbourne’s vibrant life, this breath-taking penthouse space sets new standards in a realm of celebrations and corporate events. The night is built around enjoying life, from the stunning vocal sounds of [...]

As an acknowledged leader among business events destinations, Darwin Convention Centre is committed to supporting the city’s evolving position as an international business powerhouse. Darwin boasts one of the fastest growing economies in Australia, with predictions that the city will be the second fastest growing in the country over the next 5 years, with 4.2% [...]

The City of Sydney is organising an even more spectacular Christmas celebration this year with a bigger budget, event program and more support for retailers – to be led by a new Christmas creative consultant. The plans – part of the City’s push to establish Sydney as a global Christmas destination – involve boosting existing [...]

As a result of the recent announcement by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell regarding the closure of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre for three years, Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) will be hosting a free information session for all industry people to hear directly from Infrastructure NSW on what the changes mean for the industry. [...]

Picture this: You’re walking around a conference with a busy schedule of sessions, hands full, running late and trying to plan your day… Frustrated? Well throw away your printed program and highlighter pen and pull out your smart phone – because the new way to manage your conference experience is here. For the first time, [...]

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and Sydney Entertainment Centre today welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a timeline for the creation of the new Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct at Darling Harbour. The Centres’ Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said the creation of the Precinct was evidence of the overwhelming success of [...]

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) welcomes the New South Wales Premier’s announcement today of the tender for the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) and is ramping up efforts to profile other venue options during the three-year build. The tender confirms the functional brief and development timelines for the new precinct, which will see [...]

In the final week of March, the Darwin Convention Centre provided the venue for the historic, inaugural meeting of Indigenous tourism experts from around the world, the Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference (PAITC). Hosted by the Northern Territory Government, PAITC was a joint initiative of Tourism NT, the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and the [...]

The Hunter Valley will be on show over the next three days to a group of influential incentive and conference buyers from New Zealand. Co-hosted by Tourism Australia and the Hunter Valley Convention Bureau, the educational visit will bring eight leading business events organisers to the Hunter Valley. Incentives are used by corporate organisations to [...]

Darwin Convention Centre (DCC) has received one of the major awards in the prestigious Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Industry Awards, being declared the Northern Territory winner in the prime category, Meeting Venue – 500 Delegates or More. MEA is the key meetings industry association and its national awards are hotly contested by the highly [...]

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has demonstrated again that it’s switched on to environmental issues – by offering exhibition organisers the option of switching off. In a move designed to reduce power consumption and exhibitor costs, the Centre has installed dedicated electricity outlets for cleaning in its main exhibition halls, enabling exhibition organisers to [...]

Event people need to know and experience the latest and greatest venues on offer to ensure they can provide fresh and exciting options to their clients. This is the inspiration behind Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) hosting their 2012 Conference’s Welcome Reception at a venue never yet used for corporate or business events. Delegates to [...]

The Australian Event Awards, Australian Centre for Event Management (ACEM), and International Special Events Society (ISES) have announced that they will join forces to present the 2012 Australian Event Symposium at Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Symposium will be staged on September 13 and 14 and will incorporate: The ISES Australasia Conference for Event Practitioners [...]

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) held its second project update on the redevelopment of Darling Harbour in partnership with Infrastructure NSW to provide industry access to the latest news about Sydney International Convention Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP). The project update covered the key facts about the redevelopment, issues related to the [...]

The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) today announced that Andrew Hiebl will take on the role of Executive Director from 30 April.  Andrew Hiebl and Karen Bolinger (MCVB CEO)will take on the role of Executive Director from 30 April. Andrew’s extensive business event industry experience equips him well for this executive role, which focuses on fuelling [...]

A dynamic, creative and devoted group of industry professionals have come together to form Sydney’s Event Showcase Advisory Committee. This new initiative for the 2012 show will ensure the continuing high standard of experience delivered by Sydney’s Event Showcase. Established by Exhibitions and Trade Fairs (ETF) the owners of the show, the Sydney’s Event Showcase [...]