IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE
that this financial year is already
almost half over. Last year was a financial year most of us would
rather forget, but this year has started with a new promise and
plenty of industry activity which we all hope will translate into
strong business performance improvement.
For MIAA, the interest in our networking functions has rarely
been stronger. It is a fascinating feature of our industry that
when difficulties are encountered our need to pull together as a
community and to make connections is pronounced. This
augurs well for our national conference next year where it is no
coincidence that the theme is all about connections. Connect
with Excellence 2003 is already shaping up to be a "bewty" I
hope you already have the dates (April 2-5 2003) in your
schedule and the registration in your budget!
This month we feature our national supporters for 2002/3. It is
very exciting to welcome American Express and QANTAS to
this illustrious group of leading industry organisations. These
two companies have also taken a prominent role in our Awards
for Excellence. The major convention centres in Australia
(Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Cairns) have
continued to demonstrate their strong commitment to the
industry through their national supporter sponsorship.
Without the investment made in MIAA by the national
supporters, much of the research, business advice and general
lobbying work we do would not be possible. This also applies to
important benefits such as accreditation, which continues to
be heavily subsidised by other MIAA activities and revenue
from sponsorship.
Government lobbying has been a major focus for activity in the
last six months in the run up to the release of the Federal
Government's Green Paper relating to the 10-Year Plan for
Tourism. Our membership of the Business Events Council of
Australia is proving most beneficial particularly with Executive
Director, Elizabeth Rich, working as hard as ever for the benefit
of the industry. We also acknowledge the contribution of the
Association of Australian Convention Bureaux and its director,
Michael Cannon. The resulting "Elizabeth, Michael and Jenny"
show, with expert guidance from the Presidents and CEOs of
the association members of BECA, has
been a great display of industry unity in
achieving a better deal for the business
events industry.
Best wishes and regards
Jenny Lambert
CEO's Corner
5
I N D U S T R Y N E W S
CEO's Corner
Member News
NEW ROLE FOR GEOFF
One of Australia's leading venue management specialists, Ogden IFC has
announced the appointment of Managing Director of the Cairns
Convention Centre Geoff Donaghy to their newly created Brisbane based
role of Director of Queensland Venues.
This follows the company's appointment by the Queensland
Government as operators of the $280 million, 52,000 seat Suncorp
Stadium project due for completion in May 2003.
Donaghy's new role will include CEO responsibility for the Stadium
which is to be the home base for the Brisbane Broncos NRL team and
venue for several Rugby World Cup fixtures in October and November
next year. He will also maintain overall management of the Convention
Centre and continue direct involvement in the award winning facility's
strategic marketing.
Geoff has been a member of the MIAA National Council for the last
two years.
FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS TOPS
RANKING FOR MEETINGS
Four Seasons ranked highest in the annual J.D. Power and Associates,
2002 Meeting Planner Satisfaction Index Study, ahead of several other
luxury and upscale hotel chains. The study, released recently, measures
how well upscale and luxury hotels serve independent and corporate
meeting planners. "Our objective is to treat our clients with the same
warm and personalized service with which we treat our guests," said Wolf
Hengst, president, worldwide hotel operations, Four Seasons Hotels and
Resorts. "This recognition by meeting planners is a tribute to the
employees who work so hard to make every meeting an enjoyable event."
OFF-SITE OPENS IN CAIRNS
Award-winning event company, Off-Site Connections Event Management,
has opened an office in Cairns as part of an expansion strategy to enable
them to service their clients Australia-wide, as well as internationally.
Nick Millis, will head up the Cairns office. Nick's diverse career
background has also included roles with the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau
and several events-related companies, providing him with the broad
spread of product knowledge and experience required by the demanding
events industry. Off-Site Connections Managing Director, Peter Kinnane,
has indicated that this latest move into Tropical North Queensland is a
logical progression for his company. "The loyalty of our client base has
