Pacific Tourism Event Heads Down Under to Melbourne

After a successful inaugural South Pacific Tourism Exchange Event in Auckland in 2014 the organisers are now heading to Australia to sell the Pacific tourism market in June 2015.

Officially announcing the SPTE 2015 event today, South Pacific Tourism Organisation Chief Executive Ilisoni Vuidreketi said the positive feedback from buyers and sellers in New Zealand this year justified the second event this time in Australia.

“Apart from displaying the Pacific at our 2014 exhibition we received feedback from the participants that the networking was an opportunity never to be missed,” he said.

“This event will be staged in conjunction with the Australian Tourism Exchange 2015 event at the Melbourne Exhibition Convention Centre so we have the opportunity to also benefit from their own international and domestic networks.

“A number of participants in Auckland had asked for more time to conduct the event and such feedback has encouraged us as we plan the way forward for SPTE 2015.”

He said in terms of sales from the 2014 event, most participants (76 per cent) reported they were able to establish relations with a wholesaler with 18 per cent actually establishing new business with a wholesaler and the rest already enjoying some partnership but used the event as an opportunity to create and strengthen better contacts.

“We had a total of 1,300 business appointments during SPTE 2014 and anticipate an even higher response when we arrive in Australia for SPTE 2015,” he said.

Mr Vuidreketi said they were announcing the dates earlier as the lessons learned from the inaugural event meant they had to plan in advance to allow international buyers (wholesalers) time to prepare their business travel for the new year.

“As you can see the date is June 2015 so you must be asking why are we announcing the event so early,” he said.

“The reason is there is a lot of planning involved this year to enable us to realise the real cost and logistics involved in planning next year’s event as we are dealing with more than 50  Pacific tourism suppliers (sellers) from our region and about 60 international wholesalers (buyers), for SPTE 2015.

“While it may seem early to reveal our plans we hope to make SPTE 2015 much bigger than the 2014 event – learning from the valuable lessons we gained  this year.

“I urge all buyers and sellers intending to attend this event to please start planning now for SPTE 2015 as we try to enhance our position in the region.

The SPTO is currently consulting with tourism stakeholders including Tourism Australia to promote the SPTE which takes place from June 19-20 at the Melbourne Exhibition Convention Centre.

The Australian Tourism Exchange event takes place at the same venue from June 21.

Miley Cyrus in Sydney | What a Tongue Twister

Past the poster of Henry V walked Miley Cyrus in a shimmering green boxer's robe, primed for the fight and accompanied by the breakfast show's weather person (In leopard print leggings. 

At breakfast. On television – and people say Miley dresses shockingly), and thence to the stage set up on the northern forecourt of the Opera House.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers and sisters who had risen pre-dawn to see the twerking, tongue-twisting, tabloid-taunting Cyrus, waited with the rising sun on our backs. Among us were several dressed like her: more men than women so attired it must be said, and not an eyelash out of place on any of the gentlemen. (No doubt inspiring yon Miley to think, as she peered through a forest of phones held high, "It yearns me not if men my garments wear/Such outward things dwell not in my desires".)

Scattered through were high school uniforms, a few pre-teens and no shortage of mothers. Real mothers too; not the type of "motherf...ers" which some reports had Cyrus referring to more than 30 times during her Melbourne concert at the weekend. 

If those mothers were bracing themselves for similar language and performance – the type of legs splayed, crotch-rubbing, drug-referencing on-stage activities which earned terms such as gynaecological and scatological – they needn't have worried.

Save for a "good f---ing morning to you guys" and a bit of hip thrusting later, when the green robe was shucked and the orange and pink leotard was allowed its moment in the sun, Cyrus was by most standards respectable, even tame.

Her singing was not merely respectable though: a powerful and more than capable voice ringing true and genuinely live. Likewise, her responses to the familiar questions lobbed at her by the two slightly awkward (as ever when a teen pop star is patronised/promoted in equal measure) Sunrise hosts were considered and a step above pat answers.

With the Harbour Bridge as a backdrop, a Madame Tussauds model of Cyrus – which for a change actually looked something like the original – set up at the back of the crowd and the bonus of a song after the cameras switched off (Coldplay's The Scientist), you could hardly complain. Unless, of course, you wanted more sinner than saint on stage.

Still, in the telling and retelling in years to come no doubt the gentlemen and women in Australia still a-bed would think themselves accursed they were not here while ever any speaks who stood by the water with us on St Miley's day.

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Sydney Craft Beer Week

The week will see a variety of events available that suits every craft beer lovers taste.

Who needs Oktoberfest? Craft Beer Week returns in October

by Gwen O’Toole

Sure Germany has Oktoberfest, but this October, Sydney will be flowing with Craft Beer as Sydney Craft Beer Week (SCBW) returns bigger, better and tastier for its fourth year.

Over 40 of Sydney's leading venues will host the city's largest celebration of Craft Beer, with more than 100 events happening from October 18-26, 2014.

Event dates: 18/10/2014 - 26/10/2014

Sydney Craft Beer Week offers experienced Craft Beer connoisseurs, as well as newcomers to the scene, the opportunity to experience all that the Craft Beer community has to offer.

Visitors and Sydneysiders alike will let their taste buds do the talking as they travel between craft breweries, pubs, restaurants, galleries and pop-up installations over the packed week-long event.

Sydney Craft Beer Week returns in October for the 4th year.

"Though we've grown faster than we ever imagined, we're proud the event still has a local and relatable feel, giving everyone attending a sense of ownership of these locally produced craft beers," said Sydney Craft Beer Week director (and passionate craft beer consumer) Joel Connolly.
"In a way, there is a definite form of community spirit and kinship built and celebrated during the festival, as we give craft beer a much deserved time to shine."

The festivities for the Sydney Craft Beer Week will kick off with a bang (or would that be a pop and a light, bubbly fizz) at a Gala Event on Friday October 17th at The Giant Dwarf Theatre. The week's opening night Gala will get beer fans prepped for a week of tantalising experiences, with over 25 Australian and International breweries showing off their craft (pun intended), as electrifying live music keeps the party going.

The festival will feature plenty of sampling and education opportunities for craft beer veterans and newbies alike.

The celebrations will continue throughout the week, as enthusiasts will be invited to attend numerous events – a mix of free and paid opportunities – to enjoy one-off beers, educational seminars, tap takeovers, beer high teas as well as a tantalising four course beergustation of the highest quality where each course is served with an accompanying beer (matched to the meal's core ingredient) at the Blackrock Brasserie Beergustation Experiment. If this doesn't have your mouth watering, nothing will.

The Sydney Craft Beer Week is gearing up to be one of the highlights of the Sydney social calendar, so save the date and prepare yourself for an unforgettable beer-fuelled experience.

To check out the full program of events visit the website.

Source: http://www.weekendnotes.com/sydney-craft-beer-week/?sb=1&i=1&j=2&k=1&wemid=44160&wuid=557219&ap=AJU2GQkXOY

Strong International Theme at EEAA 2014 Conference

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has secured a top line-up of speakers for the EEAA 2014 Conference to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre next month. 

EEAA Chief Executive, Joyce DiMascio, said the conference program will tackle three key themes: “Internationalising” events, products and services; the security landscape around events and what's driving consumer engagement.

“We are honoured to have the CEO of Austrade, Bruce Gosper, and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Director - Australia and New Zealand, Bonnie Shek head the line-up for the international theme,” Ms. DiMascio said. “Matt Jones, Director & Creative Strategist of Better Happy will deliver a wake-up call about customer communications and behaviour. 

In addition, a panel including Victorian Police will address the topical subject of event security. We always aim to deliver outstanding content and this year will be no exception. The program is intensive, strategic and challenging and directly aligned with issues that matter to the industry – right here, right now.”

2014 has marked the establishment of strengthening ties between EEAA Members and the Australian Government’s export agency, Austrade. So it is most fitting that EEAA should hear from Austrade CEO, Bruce Gosper. Mr. Gosper helped kick-start EEAA’s positive work now being undertaken with Trade Commissioners in the Austrade network across Asia.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a leading player in the business events sector, launching highly successful partnerships with the exhibition industry. EEAA is honoured that the HKTDC is joining Association Members to talk about their successful initiatives.

Ms. DiMascio said, “The program also includes speakers from within the EEAA community. Our Members are always keen to hear from organisers of trade and consumer exhibitions so we’ll have an interesting panel discussion with Reed Exhibitions Executive Director, John Gorton; Gaming Technologies Association CEO, Ross Ferrar; Exhibitions & Trade Fairs MD, Gary Daly; National Media MD, Mark Harvey; and WALDRONSMITH Management MD, Kate Smith.”

The conference begins with a Welcome Reception at Cargo Hall, on Melbourne’s South Wharf Promenade on Wednesday, 19 November with the 2014 Conference and Awards for Excellence on Thursday, 20 November. The Awards night will honour the high achievers in the industry in the Melbourne Room at the MCEC.

“This year’s Conference encourages in-depth discussions with top-tier speakers, offers great networking and will be a rewarding experience for attendees. The industry has undergone many changes in 2014 following the closure of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre – events have relocated to other venues and cities. 

New events have been launched. The conference, which coincides with the end of the 2014 event season, will provide an important opportunity to assess where the industry has landed,” Ms. DiMascio said.

To view the Preliminary Program, go towww.eeaa.com.au/pdfs/2014/EEAA_2014_Conference_Preliminary_Program_V1.pdf.

Register to attend the EEAA 2014 Conference and Awards for Excellence:http://www.eeaa.com.au/conference.php.

KEY DATES:
2 October - Registration opened
20 October - Early bird discount ends

KEY CONFERENCE DATES: 
19 November - Welcome Reception
20 November - EEAA 2014 Conference

KEY AWARDS DATES: 
Mid-October - Finalists announced
20 November - EEAA 2014 Awards for Excellence

About EEAA 

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) is the peak association for the exhibition and event industry, representing organisers, venues and suppliers. As a not-for-profit organisation, EEAA’s primary objective is to maintain high industry standards and ensure industry growth by promoting the professionalism of EEAA members and unique benefits offered by exhibitions. For more information, go to www.eeaa.com.au.

Contact:
rius@eeaa.com.au

Session to help Gladstone city get ready for cruises

GET the party started when Carnival Australia comes to town with an information session on the future of cruise liners in Gladstone.

Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd and Carnival Australia will present on the P&O Cruise Liners as part of a business leaders' luncheon.

P&O Cruises announced in August that Gladstone would be a port of call for up to 10,000 passengers a year from 2016, with ships to dock at Auckland Point.

The luncheon is presented by GAPDL in partnership with Gladstone Regional Council and Gladstone Ports Corporation.

GAPDL chief executive Glenn Churchill will give an insight on destination tourism development and regional development priority projects, while product manager Sarah Budd and director Michael Mihajlov will talk for Carnival Australia.

The luncheon will be followed by an information session with a question and answer session, giving people an opportunity to expand further on individual and business opportunities/ learnings, and any other creative discussion points to ensure we are "Region Ready".

The luncheon will be held at the Oaks Grand Gladstone on Tuesday, October 21, from 11.30am-2pm.

Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/liners-on-the-horizon/2413873/

The Secrets Flight Attendants Want You to Know

WE’RE infatuated with life in the skies — and all the myth-busting that comes along with it. Who would’ve guessed that dim lights are meant to prep you for evacuation, or that those airline blankets aren’t always freshly washed?

Of course, nobody knows these secrets better than flight attendants. Abbie Unger, a longtime flight attendant (formerly employed by United, Continental and US Airways Express) who retired in 2011 to publish a book and launch a new career as a flight attendant consultant, tells all.

Coaching wannabe crew members through the rigorous application process, her Flight Attendant Career Connection is a Facebook Group where more than 7,000 members swap job advice, trade stories and discuss the ins and outs of a famously glamorous — and notoriously mysterious — industry.

Here, a few secrets your flight attendant may be burning to tell you:

It’s not a flight attendant’s job to look nice.

A 1957 stewardess manual lists requirements that crew members remain unmarried and under 57 kilograms. 

Flight attendants wore girdles as late as the 1970s, and reports regular weigh-ins seem to have left their mark on the profession. But in her experience, Unger says, today’s airlines focus less on looks. “They do want someone who is pleasant to look at,” she told us. “But you don’t have to be a supermodel. You have to be open and engaging — it really has to do with personality.”

Passengers do not need to panic during turbulence.

Flight attendants have flown enough to know that turbulence-related injuries can occur but are uncommon. Unger advises buckling up and riding it out. “Turbulence is like going down a bumpy road,” she says. “If you’re in your seatbelt, you’re not in danger.”

Listen to the safety instructions of flight attendants and don’t panic

But if you see your flight attendant sitting down, you should definitely sit down.

That being said, Unger says looking at the crew is a sure-fire way to tell if the bumpiness has potential to harm you. Flight attendants will often move around the cabin during mild bumps, but they’ll stay seated if they know things are going to get intense.

2013 Delta flight attendant job seekers faced tougher acceptance odds than Harvard applicants.

In 2013, Delta received about 44,000 applications for about 400 flight attendant job openings — that’s a lower acceptance rate than Harvard’s. 

Unger says this year’s Delta recruitment is looking just as tough — she estimates there will be about 200,000 applications for 1800 open spots. “This is a dream for a lot of people,” she explains.

If you really want to tip your flight attendant, try asking three times.

Unger says passengers often assume flight attendants make a lot of money, but “it’s not a very good wage at all.” Many airlines discourage tipping, she explains, and advise that crew members turn down a passenger’s first attempt at offering a tip. 

Try a second or third time, though, and your flight attendant will feel freer to accept. “Or just put it in an envelope and leave it on your seat,” Unger says.




Flight attendants are there to make your trip enjoyable.

Your flight attendant can make you less nervous.

Flight attendants tend to know what every bump, lurch and strange sound means for the plane, whether it’s a harmless bout of turbulence or the squeaky landing gear doing its regular job. 

And attendants would love to share this information with fliers, if they ask. “If you’re nervous, let your flight attendant know,” Unger says. “I’d be happy to have a conversation so you know you’re not alone.”

If your flight attendant turns quiet, it’s to run through emergency scenarios.

Just before takeoff, Unger says, flight attendants are often required to take 30 seconds to run through their safety training, reviewing what will happen should anything go wrong during the trip. “Your flight attendant may be chatting with you, but she’ll stop and be quiet or just look out the window,” Unger explains. “She’s thinking about what she would do in an emergency.”

Airplane food feeds more than just passengers.

After passengers have been served, Unger says the cabin crew will sometimes eat leftover first-class meals. The best part? “There’s ice cream on lots of international flights.”

Flight attendants eat plane food too

Water is the cure for your jet lag.

Simple hydration is a flight attendant’s number-one hack to feeling and looking refreshed after a long haul, Unger says. She recommends filling a mega-size bottle and keeping it at hand during your trip.

Wicked Family Package at Metro Hotel Sydney Central

To celebrate the return of Wicked to the Capitol Theatre, Metro Hotel Sydney Central is offering this Wicked Family package from $205.00 including:

• One nights accommodation in a Deluxe 2x Double Bedded Room
• Daily Hot Buffet Breakfast for up to 2 adults and 2 children
• Chocolates on arrival

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is conveniently located opposite the Capitol Theatre.

Children age is 0 – 12 years old.

Valid from 1 September - 28 December 2014

**This package does not include show tickets