With eased restrictions around the world, the MICE market is making a comeback. Even if the events are being run virtually still, the industry is continuing on with meetings, events, conferences and incentive travel.
Here is the latest MICE news from around the country, and beyond.
Accor launches hybrid meetings solution across the Pacific
Accor has launched ALL CONNECT, a hybrid meetings concept supported by a range of technology partners including Microsoft Teams, Events Air, Encore and AV Dynamics, at many of Accor’s 380+ hotels, resorts and apartments across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
By combining the brands and service culture of Accor with the powerful meetings and collaboration technology of our partners, ALL CONNECT enables seamless hybrid meetings at Accor properties across all brands, from economy to luxury, allowing companies and event organisers to combine physical in-hotel meetings with virtual interactions across multiple locations simultaneously.
Accor Pacific CEO, Sarah Derry, said “Accor is committed to delivering exceptional meetings and events experiences through access to the best technological innovations. The future of work is hybrid, and the services and experiences we offer our guests reflect this. ALL CONNECT is an important tool for our guests, offering them the opportunity to organise safe, qualitative and seamless hybrid meetings. We are delighted to partner with Microsoft Teams, Events Air, Encore and AV Dynamics – leaders in videoconferencing solutions – on this new offering now available at many of our hotels across the Pacific region.”
ALL Meeting Planner members will earn triple (3X) Reward points on eligible events held and paid for by 31 December 2022. Members simply need to register and book by 31 May 2022 at participating hotels in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Ala Moana Hotel Honolulu. For more information on ALL CONNECT and to search for an Accor hybrid meeting location across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, visit accorevents.com
AIME 2022 success valued at $120M boost in business events
Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), has released new insights on the success of the show that was recently held in Melbourne (21–23 March), and online (28 March–1 April). Research revealed that buyers placed/expect to place $120M in business as a result of their attendance at AIME 2022, and increase of 20 percent on 2020 (pre-Covid).
Exhibitors cited AIME 2022 as an important event for their business, with over 94 percent stating they were impressed with their return on investment and 95 percent of delegates agreeing AIME is the place to make important business connections, namely due to its great atmosphere (83%) and strong reputation (81%).
Endorsing the success of the 2022 event, AIME Event Director, Silke Calder said, “This year AIME defied all expectations. We’ve received incredible feedback from exhibitors and buyers from all over the world, many of whom have revived their business activities as a result of attending AIME. It was most rewarding to see the industry back in its natural element – networking and building relationships face-to-face – these are the things that build success and enrich us on a personal level.”
Celebrating 30 years, AIME 2023 will be held at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on 13–15 February 2023. For expressions of interest or for more information, please visit aime.com.au
Connect with New Zealand at IMEX
Make a deeper connection with New Zealand at IMEX this year and learn your pepeha, a traditional structured introduction in Māori culture that connects people to place. Guests to the IMEX trade show stand will receive assistance to create their own printed version of their pepeha, which establishes one’s identity and heritage using natural landscapes – their maunga (mountain) and moana (river or sea) – plus their whānau or family name, to paint a picture of where someone belongs. The New Zealand partners will be able to reciprocate with their own pepeha, seeking to find common connections.
Tourism New Zealand General Manager New Zealand and Business Events Bjoern Spreitzer said “Pepeha speaks to each individual’s identity and provides a warm introduction for connecting with others; where they’re from, what is important to them. These are all important connections to make when organising a business event. It’s also a way to introduce how Māori culture can be incorporated into a business event, providing a unique and authentic New Zealand experience that delegates would get nowhere else.”
Guests to New Zealand’s IMEX stand can meet with representatives from Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team, Business Events Wellington, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, ChristchurchNZ Business Events, Auckland Convention Bureau, and incentive specialists Liberty Australia & New Zealand, and JCM Destination New Zealand Ltd.
The Star launches new event space
The Star Gold Coast has launched a new poolside venue and events space, Isoletto Pool Club. The spectacular venue is located on level six Leisure Deck of its new 53-storey hotel and apartment tower. The Isoletto Pool Club delivers an ideal spot for guests to enjoy delicious island-inspired cocktails and light refreshments while enjoying sweeping views of the Gold Coast skyline.
The iconic Broadbeach property is also building on its already-extensive events and conference portfolio with the opening of Isoletto Privé, a dedicated event space complete with a sprawling lawn, deck and terrace, available for corporate functions, private celebrations and weddings.
The Star Gold Coast Chief Operating Officer, Jessica Mellor says the property has built an undeniable reputation as a prime destination to stay and play, with the latest dining and events offering further showcasing The Star’s dedication to delivering a leading leisure and entertainment destination.
“We are incredibly excited to unveil a suite of poolside spaces that open the doors to a whole new world of possibilities here at The Star. The launch of the Isoletto Pool Club and Isoletto Privé event spaces is the perfect example of our commitment to helping the Gold Coast remain one of Australia’s leading tourism and entertainment destinations for leisure and corporate travellers alike. Whether they are looking for a new sun-kissed space to relax and recharge, or to create an unforgettable event, I’m excited for our guests to experience all The Star Gold Coast has to offer from a brand-new vantage point.”
Wellington welcomes line-up of international conferences
With New Zealand’s borders now reopened, capital city Wellington is preparing for a busy roster of in-person events in 2022. Upcoming events include the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works’ IIC Biennial Congress, Feeding the Future conference of the Infant Nutrition Council of Australia and New Zealand, and the Combined Scientific Congress of the New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists and the Australian Society of Anaesthetists.
The city’s high-tech strengths will be on show when it hosts both the ACM Interactive Surfaces and Spaces Conference, and the International Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference in November.
Business Events Wellington Manager Irette Ferreira said “We’re looking forward to hosting an exciting calendar of conferences. These range from domestic events, which have sustained the city’s conference market since borders closed in 2020, to international conferences secured over the past several years which are now able to welcome delegates and speakers from around the world with no event restrictions.”
Meanwhile, Tākina, the new Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, is on track to open mid-2023, with more than 60 conferences already pencilled in at the central city venue.
Accommodation Conference hits Adelaide
This month (May 3-5), saw the return of one of the world’s largest Accommodation Conferences, the Australasian Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE) to Adelaide, representing a welcome milestone in the sector’s return to normal. Some 1200 delegates attended AHICE, hosted by Travel Business Media, HM (Hotel & Accommodation Management) and organised by Interpoint Events.
Australia’s hotels, motels and accommodations providers have survived massive challenges throughout the past few years following droughts, bushfires, floods and COVID. The ongoing challenge of workforce and skills shortages also continues yet right across Australia, hotels and motels continue to step up to deliver for travelling Australians and, increasingly, returning international tourists.
If you have MICE news, please send it to kate@travelmonitor.com.au
