Many of you are aware that I recently set up a new entity, Iceberg Travel, in order to look after group travel for our various clients. The system works! We booked all the flights for the Foot Locker and Cornett's IGA Conferences, successfully bringing delegates to South East Queensland from all over Australia and New Zealand. We also booked quite a few domestic and international flights for the APHA National Congress. I'm pleased to report that all the flights for these conferences went smoothly and without incident thanks to Kara Sullivan, our resident flights guru! Kara is looking forward to booking the flights for the ASAM Conference in Hong Kong later this year. We would love to book your flights - please let me know if you have any group travel that we can quote on!

Networx Marketers Meetings are still going strong. We hosted iXmas at the end of last year - a combined end-of-year Christmas party for all of the digital marketing and advertising networking groups in town. Lisa did a great job bringing that together, and the events coming up this year look fantastic!

We are looking forward to the events we've got coming up, including SportsComms 2013 for PRIA at Bond University on the Gold Coast, the Australian Association of Practice Managers Staff Development Day at BCEC and APNIC's Staff Retreat at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat both in June, and the Weed Symposium in Hervey Bay in July.

Jodie Parker
Managing Director

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In December last year, we all attended the PCO Conference (thanks Jodie!). It was a great opportunity for us to not only see what is going on in our industry but to experience from the other side - as delegates. There were a variety of different speakers which we learnt a lot from as well as quite a few social functions which were fantastic! The Conference dinner was held at Movie World which was a great start to the conference - we even saw Scooby Doo and Shaggy gangnam styling!

BACCHUS features three unique settings: an outstanding fine dining restaurant, cocktail bar and a pool bar.

Dinner is served in the restaurant Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch served in the restaurant and on the pool deck every Friday.

Their unbridled passion for seasonal ingredients is matched only by their love of exceptional cooking and service. Choose from the la carte menu or degustation menu, which is also available as a vegetarian option.

A superb wine list, collated with attention to detail by their Head Sommelier Andrew Giblin, makes the perfect accompaniment to your BACCHUS dining experience.

Recently named one of the World's Best, the Bacchus Bar and Pool Bar have quickly become favourites on the Brisbane social circuit. Soak up the sun poolside with a cocktail in hand, or dance the night away beneath the stars.

BACCHUS is also home to one of Brisbane's finest High Tea offerings. High Tea is served on William Edwards fine bone china, the very same specially commissioned crockery used at The Goring in London where the late Queen Mum liked to take High Tea.

A truly unique addition to the Brisbane dining and entertainment landscape.

For your chance to win a Champagne High Tea for Two at Bacchus (valued at $98), email us with your contact details before Friday, 26 April 2013 and the answer to: Who is BACCHUS Restaurant and Cocktail Bar's Head Sommelier?

9 Glenelg Street, South Bank, Brisbane QLD 4101
Phone: 07 3364­ 0843
Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter: @BACCHUSBrisbane
www.bacchussouthbank.com.au

From there we caught the train to Tung Chung. We were told this was a great spot for outlet shopping, but also the cable car to the Big Buddha at Ngong Ping.

We didn't end up catching the cable car as we were worried that we would be late for our very important meeting this afternoon, but we checked out where it left from and how to get there - so we will be able to advise delegates.

At 2.30 ish we caught the train to Hong Kong Disneyland to talk about bringing groups in. There are some great spaces - like the train station for cocktails (best vantage point for the fireworks), and the Banquet Hall.

We did learn, however, that the week our group will be here is referred to as "Golden Week", and will be very crowded!  We knew that there was a public holiday that week (National Day) but we were unaware that that would affect all week! This is good information!

We were able to stay and enjoy the park after our meeting, so we did. ;-)

We stopped again at the Temple Street Night Markets on the way home to pick up some last minute prezzies for people at home, and then fell into bed, completely exhausted!!

Some observations:

You do a lot of walking in Hong Kong so make sure you've got comfortable shoes!

Nothing seems to be open before 10 am. 7.00 am doesn't seem to exist traffic-wise. Peak hour seems to be from about 8.30 am to 10ish, and from 5.30 in the afternoon.  Don't even bother trying to go shopping before 10.

The crowds seem to walk on the right, even though they drive on the left!! Same with escalators - stand to the right so people can get past you.

Public transport is great - easy and cheap. Don't stress if you can't get on the train - there will be another one along in a minute or so. I love public transport where there is no timetable.

I think Hong Kong is a great spot for a conference. Everyone seems to speak English, the hotels and facilities are fantastic, lots of flights and easy to get to and get around, and there are lots of really special and fun things to do. I'm looking forward to bringing more groups here!

For more photos, click here to visit our Facebook Page.

We started out getting the train across to Central - easy as!! We had breakfast somewhere local and then set off to find the China Club - a members only venue.  We had serious trouble finding it, but when we finally got there, it was worth it. An incredible art collection is found all through the top three floors of the old Bank of China building.  Lots of different rooms and options, including a fabulous library and the smoking terrace which is open air.

From there we made our way to the Peak Tram, and up to the Peak. Watching as you climb higher than the incredible skyscrapers is pretty amazing.  We were checking out Pearl at the Peak - a restaurant at the top. Truly amazing views, but the restaurant can only seat about 80 pax, so a bit small for what we were after.

    

From there we had to detour to Cathay City which is near the airport on Lantau Island.  I don't think Cathay City would be available as a venue generally, but it was good to see what was there.

Back to Hong Kong island from there to see Sevva - a very funky bar and restaurant on the 25th floor of the Princes Building.  Another green wall!  And an outdoor terrace with a great view of the harbour. Great for a cocktail function or an smaller dinner.

Next to Jumbo Floating Restaurant which is on the far side of Hong Kong island at Aberdeen. An odd place to get to - and we were given some good advice regarding peak hour traffic so it didn't take too long (avoid Aberdeen Tunnell from 5.30 pm apparently). But clearly this venue caters for groups - some really big groups if you need it! Traditional Chinese fare, and a fun atmosphere.  A great Hong Kong "experience".

Taxi back to the Star Ferry Terminal, and got the ferry back to Kowloon so we could see the harbour skyline from the water - well worth the $2.50 HKD each!

Exhausted again, looking forward to seeing the kinds of venues Disneyland has to offer tomorrow!

For more photos, click here to visit our Facebook Page.

Next stop was the Mira Hotel - set back from the harbour, so a lot closer to the markets. Very funky and newly renovated. Also low ceilings throughout (except the top floor where the meeting space is) but really clever use of mirrors so you don't feel like its closing in on you.

Accommodation at the Mira Hotel is great and they do a very clever thing in giving guests a local mobile phone - so you can make local calls free, and people can contact you by calling the hotel and being put through. Great for foreigners!  Meeting space upstairs was great with a view of Kowloon Park, built in screens and data projectors, and great theming for tables included in meeting packages.

Then a look at Hullet House which is a beautiful colonial building which I think used to be a police station! Great courtyard space and bar area, but not sure it was going to work for us.

Sky100 is a great spot to get your bearings and get that big overview of a new city.  I'm sure at night it is really spectacular!

The YMCA was a surprise. A great spot near the harbour. Lovely private rooms, good facilities, cafes, Internet hubs, everything you'd want - and not like my previous perception of a YMCA!  There will be renos going on this year though, so there may be some noise during the day until the end of 2013.

The Peninsula Hotel is the oldest hotel in Hong Kong - beautiful colonial style. Fantastic high tea which you unfortunately can't book for! Ballroom had a great high ceiling and would be wonderful for a formal dinner.

The Langham in Kowloon was also gorgeous - and also does high tea which we were lucky enough to sample! Undergoing a major renovation the rooms (which are beautiful already) are being modernized somewhat.

From there to the Sheraton - our last stop for the day (which was lucky - we were exhausted).  Sheraton has lovely space with a great sound and light show built in that you can use for your meeting!  Best spot, however, is the Sky Lounge on the top floor where you can watch the Symphony of Lights every evening from 8.00pm.

Today we will check out Hong Kong Island. Stay tuned!

Many thanks to Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers for looking after us while we are here, and to Cathay Pacific for helping us with the airfares.

Our flight left after midnight last night so we slept most of the way here, and arrived at about 8.00 am.  We caught the train from the airport to Kowloon Station, which was really easy and fast, and there was free wifi on the train!

From Kowloon Station, we caught the free shuttle bus to the hotel, which was easy (and free!), though the bus was a bit dodgy looking.  Checked in, but as it was about 9.00 am, our room wasn't ready, so we went for a wander.

Trying to get our bearings, we found Kowloon Park, where many people were practicing Tai Chi, as well as the Avenue of Cartoon Heroes, which was... unexpected!

Needing sustenance, we found breakfast at last! Luckily, the staff stopped us from ordering way more than we would have been able to eat! I am a big fan of the sweet pancakes.

From there we found the Ladies Market in Mong Kok - a bit of a walk, but worth it. I'm not sure why it's called the Ladies Market - it wasn't just for ladies at all. We stocked up in prezzies for family and friends, and then trekked back to the hotel (a good 30 minute walk) for a nap!

Tonight was the Night Markets, and dinner accompanied by a very large bottle of beer.

Tired now!  Looking at conference venues tomorrow!

For more photos, click here to visit our Facebook Page.

 Jodie Parker
Managing Director

I am hopeful that she got the travel bug out of her system, and we will now have her here FOREVER. Emma took photos that reminded her of Iceberg while she was away - I was surprised there were so many!! Click here to see her photos.

And speaking of Travel, we have recently set up a travel arm to Iceberg Events - called (surprisingly) 'Iceberg Travel' (definitely not 'Titanic Travel' as a few people suggested). We were managing the travel for a number of groups already but because we weren’t a licensed travel agent, we were unable to look after the flight component of these journeys. We figured it would be easier to do it all ourselves!  Kara and I have been working hard on setting up the systems for this new venture and we're looking forward to it taking off.

As always, we have been very busy here at Iceberg Events. Please scroll down and read about the conferences and events we have been busy working on throughout the year. Coming up towards the end of the year we have 2nd International Conference on Global Telehealth 2012 in Sydney, and AIMIA iXmas Party hosted by Networx - a fantastic combined Christmas party for all of the digital, marketing and creative groups in Brisbane. Should be a big one!

Then, we will all be heading to the Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Conference on the Gold Coast. The Conference for Conference Organisers is always on my calendar, largely because I find it so much fun to be a delegate for once :-)

Hope that Christmas doesn’t sneak up on you too quickly….



Jodie Parker
Managing Director

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We are very excited to announce the new travel arm for Iceberg Events, aptly named 'Iceberg Travel'.

Iceberg Travel specialises in group bookings - we figure that it’s pretty easy for people these days to book their own individual flights on-line, but booking groups is a bit more tricky and groups have always been our specialty!  Different airlines define “group” differently too - making it all the more confusing!

If you are looking at having more than 9 people travel, give us a call!  We can talk to the airlines on your behalf, and get the best available fares for you.

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Iceberg Events has an internship position available! The intern will assist us in the office and on-site for an upcoming conference on the Gold Coast in March 2013.

To apply for this intern position (unpaid), you are required to work 2-3 days a week commencing January 2013 until mid March 2013.

If you are interested, email your resume and availability to Stephanie at stephanie@icebergevents.com.au. Please pass this message on to anyone who you think may be interested.

Our local Milton Post Office is back up and running after the floods!
Our new PO BOX address is: PO BOX 1179, Milton QLD 4064 - please update your records :-)
 

The ICASM app was available for iPad, iPhone and Android phones and tablets and was free to download from the App Store.

App features included Event Schedule, Favourites, Speaker Information, Sponsor Information, Twitter, Directions, About the Congress and Feedback.

Delegates' feedback included:

We would love to help you create and develop an App for your next Conference or Event.

Features for your Conference or Event App could include:

Contact Iceberg Events on 07 3876 4988 or complete the enquiry form.

The hotel offers Privé249 for fine dining, Thyme2 restaurant for everyday luxury dining and Cuvée Lounge Bar on the lobby level.

The multi award winning Privé249 boasts a superb menu of French inspired Australian cuisine. Privé249 offers guests an extensive wine list featuring local, national and international drops along with an inspiring 5 course tasting menu.

Thyme2 Restaurant delivers an inspiring dining experience featuring the theatre and movement of an open plan, interactive kitchen. Sleek tandoori ovens, wood fired ovens and wok stations feature in the extensive choice of dining alternatives for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

At Cuvée Lounge Bar, discerning champagne tastes are indulged with vintage and non-vintage labels from 20 of the world's great champagne houses, complemented by a connoisseur's
selection of Australian, European and New World wines. By day, the lounge is a discreet meeting place, while by night, contemporary live entertainment combines with subdued lighting to create a decadent mood of five star sub-tropical charm.

For your chance to win a Dinner for Two in Thyme2 Interactive Restaurant, email us with your contact details and the answer to: What is the name the fine dining restaurant at the Sofitel Brisbane Central?  12/11/12 Update: The correct answer is Privé249, congratulations to J. Lam for winning the prize! Thank you to everyone who entered.

With 11 first class venues, Sofitel is the largest fully integrated hotel conference facility in Brisbane. From a discrete event for 10 to a superb cocktail function for 1100 delegates, guest or school leavers, Sofitel Brisbane Central seamlessly weaves exceptional facilities and the pleasure of luxury into every event experience.

High Speed Wireless Internet Access, Video Conferencing, Technical services and support teams ensure all events reach the highest of international standards. Advanced production tools, the hotel ‘theme team’, state-of-the-art boardrooms and award winning banquet chefs make a long lasting and unique impression on all attendees.

For conference enquiries, please contact Jackie Klus, Business Development Executive - Business Events by email, or phone 07 3835 4955 (direct).

249 Turbot Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: 07 3835 3535
View upcoming events | Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter: @SofitelBrisbane
www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au

The Conference dinner was held at the incredible Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) and if you have ever visited MONA you will understand – it was definitely one of the most talked about experiences of the Conference! The optional social dinner at the historic Cascade Brewery was a great night out with the beer pulling competition adding another fun element to the night!

The 2012 Conference was an opportunity to make new, or re-establish existing professional and personal relationships with peers and suppliers who continue to rise to the challenge of an ever changing health care environment. With a combination of fantastic social events, networking and a diversity of speakers the conference will definitely be one to remember!

We look forward to working with IHEA again on the 2013 Conference in Sydney!

To view more photos from the Conference click here.

The welcome reception was held at the Convention Centre where guests were invited to join fellow friends and colleagues for canapes and drinks in an Australiana themed room. Guests had the chance to get up close with Australian native animals - this was a great hit with the International delegates!

Other social functions included an optional dinner on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, a black-tie dinner for Academicians' at The Australian Club and a dinner for the Australasian College of Aerospace Medicine Fellows to commemorate its achievements in its first year of operation.

To close the congress, ICASM delegates were invited to attend the Congress Dinner which was held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, in the Members Dining Room overlooking the stadium.

We are looking forward to assisting the ASAM committee with their conference next year in Hong Kong!

To view more pictures of the event click here.

After a long day of presentations, the training board members and trainees attended either The Bradman Museum tour or a visit to the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk - both activities were thoroughly enjoyed.

On the final night of the training weekend the group partook in a cooking class ran by Blue Bowl Brown Sugar. The delegates prepared their own 3 course Asian menu and found it very rewarding to indulge in what they had created afterwards. The evening progressed with wine blending and tasting from a local winery in the Southern Highlands.

It was a wonderful weekend had by all and we look forward to organising the 2013 Training Weekend!

To view more photos click here.

Walking through the city on my way to catch the ferry, there was a huge crowd of people looking towards Customs House where a combination of lights and images were being projected onto the building’s façade. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! ;-)

Lights and pictures were also being projected onto surrounding buildings all around the harbour – it was a great time to be catching the ferry! Leaving the harbour was an incredible sight with lights and images projected all over the city buildings.

For more information on this festival visit the event website.

This form of entertainment during festivals and events are becoming very popular. The Brisbane Festival debuted the Santos City of Lights event in 2011. This was a fun and exciting display of coloured lights and lasers radiating from the roof tops, along the river and bridges in sync with music at South Bank. It was a fantastic experience. If you missed it last year – check out the video:

If there is any truth in the old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words,” you’ll be amazed by the following videos below. Who would ever forget a show like this? This is a video of a 3D projection event that was displayed in Brisbane's Customs House in 2010.

Bringing it back into perspective, this type of entertainment could be great for an opening night or social function in your event program. Even just incorporating a higher level of lighting in the room and different lighting features and projections like in the picture below. It can really add that something extra to your event and let me tell you from first hand experience – it is a definite crowd pleaser! ;-)

Rainy weather did not deter us!!  Simon, our knowledgeable guide, luckily had kitted us up with a rain jacket and hats as well as our climb suits, so though the heavens opened while we were at the top of the bridge, we can just call that an experience that doesn’t normally happen.

With a maximum of 12 in the group per climb, the headset radios mean that you can hear everything Simon has to say as you march up to the top. We learned a lot about the bridge, and how they built it (the three free beers for workers per day is a bit disturbing, but somehow typically Aussie :-) And it is heartening to know that when they joined it up in the middle they were within a millimetre. Amazing what Aussie blokes can do, even with a few beers in them. Some might say that the beers helped with the accuracy.)

Highly recommended as something to do for groups in Brisbane – a great way to see the city, and get your bearings if you haven’t been here before, and a whole lot of things you didn’t know even if you do live here. Check out a few of our photos:

Everyone rocking the jump suit look!

Jodie, Kara and Lisa all ready to take on the Story Bridge!

What a view!

Kathleen and Joern

At the top!

Thanks again to the Story Bridge Adventure Climb for looking after us!

It has been a busy first quarter for the girls at Iceberg – starting with our long-time clients Cornett’s IGA for their Staff Conference on Daydream Island (tough gig!), and then Foot Locker Asia Pacific’s Team Week at the Gold Coast (again – tough gig!).  A new client, Selected Independent Funeral Homes (SIFH), had their meeting at the Four Seasons in Sydney which included walking tours of The Rocks and cruising on Sydney Harbour (should I say it again?).

As well as going to AIME in Melbourne to see what is around (the Australasian Incentives and Meetings Exhibition - a big trade show for people who organise meetings), we also went along to the opening of the new BCEC on Grey Street – which will be a fabulous addition for conferencing in Brisbane!  Some great spaces, and fantastic built in AV possibilities.  Looking forward to using it!

NETWORX Marketers Meetings has been great this year – two sold out events so far!  One at Iceworks, and one at Eagle Street Conference Venue, ably facilitated by Cat Matson, Business CATalyst.

So now we go into planning mode again for some of the bigger conferences that we have coming up later in the year in places like Bowral, NSW, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart.  We will also be working on Hong Kong for a client in 2013.

Looking forward to working with you soon,

Jodie Parker
Managing Director

Click here to view the photos.

Bringing together the very best of Australian architecture, design, produce and service, Vintaged Bar + Grill is far more than a fine-dining steakhouse or stylish bar. It is a celebration of home-grown excellence on every conceivable level.

Vintaged Bar + Grill offers the flexibility to match any occasion, from an intimate dinner to a corporate event. They've developed some ideas to inspire you, but feel free to request a theme that’s all your own.

The Wine Table, Chef’s Table and Private Dining Room are ideal for - corporate dinners and cocktail receptions, product launches, media launches, birthday celebrations, Christmas parties, leaving dos, wedding receptions, and milestone celebrations for anniversaries and birthdays.

Vintaged Bar is a sophisticated, dynamic space for your next entertaining event.

They take great pride in creating an ambience to suit any occasion, from a sit down dinner to a stand up cocktail reception. If you have a special event in mind, they have the creative flair to bring it to life.

For your chance to win a $100 dining voucher to Vintaged Bar + Grill, email us with your contact details and the answer to: "What is the name of one of the function areas at Vintaged Bar + Grill?". The winner is Sharon Ible, congratulations!

Vintaged Bar + Grill
Hilton Brisbane
190 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, Australia 4000 | Call 07 3234 2000 | events@vintagedbarandgrill.com | www.brisbane.hilton.com

Here is what our new business cards look like:

And here's our new promotional DL Flyer:

To view the DL Flyer, click here: http://icebergevents.com.au/uploads/contentFiles/files/marketing/Iceberg-Events-Promo-DL-Flyer-Are-You-Wandering-Around-Lost.pdf

The artwork was by our graphic deisgner, Lisa Ma. She looks after conference and event branding and collateral for our clients.  On top of that, she also does no-event related design work!

It was Stephanie, Kara and I's first time to experience Tallship Island Adventures.  We were very excited to imagine your own exclusive use tropical island for an entire evening!  Dress was Cocktail - 'but prepare for sand between your toes'.  Love it.

We arrived at the Tallship office in Mariners Cove, Main Beach on the Gold Coast on the late afternoon of Friday 20 January and were greeted by friendly staff and beverages on arrival.

It didn't take us long to find a seat with a view and relax with Friday afternoon drinks. There were canapes served during the trip to to McLarens Landing.  It wasn't substantial food but we found out later why!

No, we didn't stay downstairs for the whole trip!  We did make our way to the upstairs deck!  What a spectacle in front of our eyes on the shore (and in the water!) of McLarens Landing. McLarens Landing is like a 'hidden tropical paradise', situated in South Stradbroke Island.

As we got off the vessel and walked through the Island, it was such a feast for the eyes.  There were performers everywhere and the Island's tiki torches lit created a wonderful island paradise atmosphere.

We made our way to the cocktail reception area, a beautiful private beach.  Guests enjoyed a coconut cocktail as the sun set over the ocean.  There was a stage set up on the sand for the official welcome speeches, and the island band Geed Up did a couple of numbers.  The finale of the official welcome was a spectacular display of fireworks!  What a way to wow the crowd!

We then moved over to the dining areas and food stations.  The food selection was amazing, we walked through the area and chose from seafood, Asian, Indian and roasts.  The seating was plentiful, great for large groups!

We soon realised we got prime seats to be entertained by Geed Up again.  The island band was AMAZING.  I'm not normally into dancing at functions and they even got me up on my feet!

The party continued on when we had to board the vessel back to Main Beach, Gold Coast.

To view a video summary of the evening's festivities, please view Blask Photography's video below.  It includes footage of the spectacular fireworks display:

To view the photos from the evening, courtesy of Blask Photography, click here.

Many thanks to the team at Tallship Island Adventures, and the Nicholls family. 

Imagine your own exclusive use tropical island for an entire day or evening on the Gold Coast. 

Set sail for Australia’s most desirable, diverse & exclusive destination for offsite events! Select from one of our many magnificent vessels & experience the magic at our hidden tropical island paradise on South Stradbroke Island.

Your own day or evening can be designed with team building activities, watersports or private whale watching experiences. Vessels depart from Mariners Cove Marina, only minutes from Surfers Paradise or they can pick up from other jetty locations.

McLarens Landing is an all-weather venue in a beautiful natural bushland setting overlooking its own calm water private beach and is ideal for any type of event, day or night. They can cater for groups of all sizes from small, exclusive incentives to large conventions of 1000 guests. The homestead and covered pavilions cater for a range of functions and events including:

Contact Iceberg Events if you are interested in having a Tallship Island Adventure as part of your conference or meeting.

The IMA judges evaluated websites based on five criteria: Design, Content, Feature Functionality, Usability and Standards Compliance.  The Outstanding Achievement award is the second highest honour bestowed by IMA and an extremely challenging award to win.

Vivo Group was successful in other categories too.  Congratulations to David Steel and the Vivo team on a deserving win!

Bring on the end of 2011, I say. I don't think I know anyone who hasn't been affected in some way by the various disasters (natural and otherwise) that have happened this year.

In spite of all of these hiccups, we have had a very busy second half of the year. Thank goodness for Catherine Connors, who has ably stepped in while Emma Tooth went on leave to the UK for a year. 
We sadly say goodbye to Jasmine Russell, who is following her heart to Sydney. I know that everyone will miss her friendly smile and her ability to sort things out quickly and with a minimum of fuss! We certainly will.

Jas is ably replaced by Stephanie Iovannella. Make sure you say hello and introduce yourself if you get Steph on the phone.

I recently got back from the annual PCO Conference (or "the conference for conference organisers" as I like to call it) which was held in Auckland at the beginning of December.  Social media and Apps I think dominated the program - so if you are interested in either (or both) for your meeting, please let me know.

The last couple of months have seen us in Adelaide a couple of times - for the Institute of Hospital Engineers as well as the Australian National Parking Steering Group.  Injury Prevention was in November and Successes and Failures in Telehealth was in Brisbane in December.

Plus we continued with our NETWORX events each month, finishing the year by taking part in iXmas - a big combined christmas celebration for all of the groups focussed on digital marketing.

In the new year we will be again taking the Cornetts IGA store managers to Daydream Island, and the Foot Locker Asia Pacific store managers to RACV Royal Pines Resort.
Here's to having a well deserved break, and all the best to you and your families. J  ;-)

A little insight into our new Event Assistant, Stephanie Iovannella! 

I have always been drawn to the event industry… to the dynamic, ever-changing, challenging and exciting environment that events encompass. After recently graduating from The University of Queensland, I commenced work with Iceberg as an Event Assistant and immediately started assisting with the organisation of the ‘Successes and Failures in Telehealth Conference’ held in early December as well as learning all the “ins and outs” of the administration side of the office. I love working with the girls at Iceberg and I am very excited about next year!

Find out more about Stephanie and her role at Iceberg here.

The Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ASAM) held their Annual Scientific Meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Newcastle from the 6-9 October, 2011.

The conference program had a diverse range of sessions on endocrinology, ophthalmology and aviation space medicine, as well as optional workshops on CPR and Colour Vision Testing and Assessment which were both sell outs. Social functions included a Welcome Reception held at the iconic Fort Scratchley, a winery tour at the local Hunter wineries for the Partner’s Day and a highlight of the program - the Conference Dinner held at the Newcastle Museum where delegates danced the night away!

Overall, ASAM 2011 was a professionally rewarding and socially enjoyable meeting in the spectacular surroundings of the Hunter region!

On Tuesday 21st November, Iceberg Events assisted with the organisation of the Herrenknecht Media Launch of the Legacy Way Tunnel Boring Machine where Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced the names of the two tunnel boring machines as well as outlining the future plans for the Legacy Way tunnel.

The tunnel boring machines are named in honour of two Brisbane war heroes - Annabell, daughter of Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney killed in Afghanistan last year and Nurse Joyce Tweddell, who was captured by the Japanese in 1942 and remained a prisoner of war in Sumatra for three years.

The tunnel boring machines will next year begin to dig the $1.7 billion Legacy Way from Toowong to Bowen Hills. One cent from every toll will be donated to Legacy when the tunnel opens in 2014, raising $600,000 for Legacy in the first five years of operation.

The Institute of Hospital Engineering Australia (IHEA) held their 62nd National Conference- the Healthcare Facilities Management Conference from the 19-22 October at the Hilton, Adelaide.

Not only was the Conference informative and valuable in exchanging ideas about the Health-Care industry, establishing cost-effective solutions to industry challenges as well as celebrating successes and achievements, it was also a great opportunity for networking at the various social functions where delegates experienced one of Australia’s premier wine destinations, South Australia.

The 10th National Conference on Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion was held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on 2-4 November 2011. The multi-disciplinary conference focussed on research, teaching, practice & policy surrounding injury prevention both in Australia and around the world.

Attendees enjoyed the conference dinner which was held on the second night of the conference at The Strand at Rugby Quay. The riverside venue overlooked the Brisbane River showcasing fabulous views of the iconic Story Bridge. Delegates all enjoyed dinner and danced the night away to entertainment from Phoenix.

On the 1-2 December 2011 The University of Queensland Centre for Online Health held The Successes and Failures in Telehealth (SFT) Conference at Royal on the Park, Brisbane. This year’s SFT Conference was also host to the Australasian Society’s 2nd Annual meeting, where Anthony Maeder was voted President.

The presentations were highly informative and topical as Telehealth has quickly developed as a key strategy to assist in overcoming the logistical challenges associated with health service delivery. The conference attracted approximately 200 national and international speakers and delegates and was an overwhelming success!

Over 100 marketers came together on 21 September to network and listen to panellists discussing 'The Shift to Inbound Marketing'. The Networx event was held at Brisbane Powerhouse with networking in the Turbine Hall and the presentation was held in the Visy Theatre.

View photos | View the panel interview video

Brisbane marketing and communication professionals networked and received tips from a panel of experts discussing 'Mobile Marketing in the Mix'. The final Networx panel event of the year was held in the Sky Lounge at The Exchange, Brisbane CBD. 

What do Networx Brisbane events look like? Networx TV shows us what goes on behind the scenes.  Networx are monthly networking seminar events for marketing and communication professionals. We've been to great venues such as Cloudland, Brisbane Powerhouse, XXXX Alehouse and more. View the video

In late November I was fortunate enough to be treated by the lovely staff of The Mantra Group to check out some of their newly furbished properties on the Tweed Coast.

To start the Mega Mantra Famil off, we were surprised by 3 awaiting helicopters to take us to our first site visit at Pepper’s Ruffles Lodge and Spa. Hidden away in the Gold Coast Hinterland, this exclusive retreat features only 12 accommodation rooms. Ruffles have a few meeting spaces available, ranging from outdoor space in the Garden Gazebo to further breakout rooms indoor, all particularly ideal for small business meetings. Not to mention the rooms all look out to spectacular views of the hinterland - very peaceful!

A 40minute bus trip took us to our next destination of Pepper’s Broadbeach, where we  quickly checked out both Tower 1 and Tower 2 and the facilities. Moving on to our next property site visit at the Mantra Legends Hotel in Broadbeach, we were shown their many conference rooms and meeting spaces.

Just when we thought we were hopping back on the bus, we were suprised by 20 bikers and their Harley Davidsons! I must admit it was quite scary but eventually I relaxed and enjoyed the scenic ride to Pepper's Salt Resort and Spa at Kingscliffe. Here we checked-in and were treated to a 3 course dinner at Seasons restaurant where an episode of Masterchef was filmed - Very yummy!

Click here to read more.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Click here to watch our Christmas video.

From the Iceberg Team - Jodie, Catherine, Lisa, Kara, Stephanie & Narelle.

:)

Tip of the iceberg...
Perhaps a little late, but have you considered combining your Christmas party with someone else's? Maybe with a supplier, or a client, or using your industry associations shin dig as your own?

Could take some stress and expense away - and the more the merrier, I say!

Did you know... We can help with your graphic design needs!
Lisa, our in-house graphic designer not only designs event collateral such as registration brochures; she can also design for non-event related projects.  She has been helping out organisations with their brochures, flyers, newsletters, pull-up banners, stationery and business cards.  Please do not hesitate to call or email to discuss any upcoming graphic design needs.

Follow us:    

To start the Mega Mantra Famil off, we were surprised by 3 awaiting helicopters to take us to our first site visit at Pepper’s Ruffles Lodge and Spa. Hidden away in the Gold Coast Hinterland, this exclusive retreat features only 12 accommodation rooms. Ruffles have a few meeting spaces available, ranging from outdoor space in the Garden Gazebo to further breakout rooms indoor, all particularly ideal for small business meetings. Not to mention the rooms all look out to spectacular views of the hinterland - very peaceful!

A 40 minute bus trip took us to our next destination of Pepper’s Broadbeach, where we  quickly checked out both Tower 1 and Tower 2 and the facilities. Moving on to our next property site visit at the Mantra Legends Hotel in Broadbeach, we were shown their many conference rooms and meeting spaces.

Just when we thought we were hopping back on the bus, we were suprised by 20 bikers and their Harley Davidsons! I must admit it was quite scary but eventually I relaxed and enjoyed the scenic ride to Pepper's Salt Resort and Spa at Kingscliffe. Here we checked-in and were treated to a 3 course dinner at Seasons restaurant where an episode of Masterchef was filmed - very yummy!

Day 2 of the Mega Mantra Famil - The day started off with a site visit around Pepper's Kingscliffe. Their meeting space consists of a Boardroom and Ballroom which can be reconfigured into 3 seperate meeting rooms - and all fully equipped by their onsite AV team.

Only a short walk over to the Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliffe, we visited the Plantation Room, Boardroom and The Pavilion spaces. All which had a very relaxing yet modern feel!

The day was coming to a close but the surprises kept coming! Half hour massages from the lovely ladies at the Mantra on Salt followed by an adventure ride around the property on segways - so cool!

Thank you to The Mantra Group for showing me around the Mantra properties on the Tweed Coast and for all the exciting surprises we were treated to!

Click here to view more photos.

In the past couple of months, CoreNet Global have had their annual Brisbane Symposium, Jasmine has accompanied a group of trainee Colorectal Surgeons to Hamilton Island, and the Australian Association of Practice Managers (AAPM) had their annual Staff Development Day at the BCEC.

We’ve had some great Networx Events in the last couple of months too – we were lucky enough to use the new Alice Room at Cloudland for our August Event, “Maximising the Media”, and we worked closely with Social Money Solutions to assist with “Face-to-Facebook” with Paul Borrud, the Australian Head of Facebook.  This event was an introduction to using Facebook for the Not-for-Profit sector, and was held at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

We recently bid Emma Tooth “Bon Voyage” as she and her partner went on their great European Adventure!  Emma promises to be back soon, but in the meantime, the lovely Catherine Connors is ably filling her (high heeled!) shoes.  Some of you may know Catherine - she has helped us out on various projects in the past.  If not, you can get to know a bit about her below.

Hope all is going well for you after our rough start in Queensland this year.

Talk soon

J  ;-)

Above photo: Kara Sullivan, Jasmine Russell, Jodie Parker, Lisa Ma at Cloudland

We look forward to welcoming delegates from all over Australia and overseas!

Keynote speaker, Bruce Sullivan opened the day giving us all tips on how to have the energy of a four year old every single day!  The Front Desk Superstar workshop was again sold out, and other topics such as Improving the Quality of Healthcare and Informed Financial Consent were also popular.

In 2012, that National Conference for the AAPM will be held in Brisbane so the Staff Development Day will take a back seat, but will be back in 2013, bigger and better.

Did you know... We can help with your graphic design needs!
Lisa, our in-house graphic designer not only designs event collateral such as registration brochures; she can also design for non-event related projects.  She has been helping out organisations with their brochures, flyers, newsletters, pull-up banners, stationery and business cards.  Please do not hesitate to call or lisa@icebergevents.com.au to discuss any upcoming graphic design needs.

Tip of the iceberg...
Be careful when running events in museums or libraries - anywhere that has a 'collection' which the curators want to protect.  There may be rules about bringing in plant materials, or soil, or other living things.  Make sure you tell your venue what kind of items you and your exhibitors will be bringing in to the venue - you don’t want them to be turned away at the door.  The more information your venue has about the content of your event, the better.

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A multi‐million dollar refurbishment of the 4½ star Royal on the Park has begun encompassing all 145 Deluxe Rooms, Foyer, Restaurant and Bar.

Completed earlier this year, “The Royal” as it is fondly known will be restored to its former glory as a place of traditional elegance, comfort and as a home away from home for guests.  The plans for refurbishment include all 145 Deluxe guest rooms, encompassing the replacement of carpets, guest furniture and bedding. The foyer, Walnut Restaurant and cocktail bar areas will also be refreshed with new seating, tables and the addition of crystal chandeliers and private degustation dining areas.

The design has been completed to enhance and complement the existing club‐like, traditional and comfortable feel of the Hotel. Built in 1969 as the vision of Mr Irvin Rockman CBE and Mr Jessel Rothfield to be one of the most impressive and expensive hotels in Brisbane at the time, the hotel was designed to make an architectural statement on the skyline to move the city forward and help grow Queensland’s tourism market.

The hotel features the CBD’s best location with uninterrupted views across the City Botanic Gardens from one whole side of the building and the largest suites and swimming pool of any Brisbane hotel. 

Not just a hotel, the property also hosts weddings, conferences, gala events and business meetings of all size.

As part of the Renaissance of Royal on the Park and to celebrate 40 years of service you are invited to submit your “Royal” story by emailing: hotel@royalonthepark.com.au

Book your Christmas function at Royal on the Park and enjoy a complimentary an upgrade on your wine package. Contact Karen Naylor, Director of Sales and Marketing on 07 3112 1691 or email karen_naylor@royalonthepark.com.au for your next function enquiry and make sure you mention 'Iceberg Events'!

*Subject to terms and conditions, minimum numbers and bookings by 7 October 2011.

Steeped in traditional elegance, the relaxed and comfortable The Walnut Restaurant offers guests a varied à la carte menu, or Brisbane’s best value seafood buffet. The cuisine is ever-evolving with new and interesting dishes being created with the best and freshest local produce available each season.

The winner of the $100 dining voucher to The Walnut Restaurant was drawn on 3 October 2011. Congratulations to Leah Burns!

Some of you may know Catherine - she has helped us out on various projects in the past.  If not, you can get to know a bit about her here...

What do you like about events?
I love the variety within the industry.. and I love the feeling when everything comes together according to plan.

What is the best trip you’ve ever taken?
I’ve just spent three months travelling around Europe, America and China with my hubby and our 5 and 7 year old. It was an amazing, intense, crazy, fun adventure!

Favourite…

If you were a superhero, what would your super power be?
Seeing the future. I like being prepared for anything!

So what does Catherine do at Iceberg?

Catherine Connor's position as Event Manager at Iceberg Events involves managing event logistics, liaising with and assisting, clients, sponsors and delegates, and working to ensure that your event is outstanding! 

More about Catherine Connor's role at Iceberg Events:

We're so happy to have Catherine join the team, please make her feel welcome when you call up!

We recently went to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat for our annual staff getaway – what an adventure!

I had never been to O’Reilly’s before, though I’ve heard a lot about it, and have proposed it to clients on several occasions.  I’ve never actually held anything there though, probably partly because I hadn’t seen it.  Though it seems like a “junket” when we go and look at properties like this, it really is indispensible.  If I am going to take a large group of people somewhere – I want to know how it works!

It is a couple of hours drive from Brisbane to get up there – and quite a wind-y trip – but so worth it!  The weather was gorgeous – it was cold, but beautiful clear blue skies.

When we arrived, our lovely host, Lara, showed us all around the property, including their fantastic new area for cocktail functions – overlooking the ranges, it was MAGNIFICENT. 

We got to see all of the various levels of accommodation, the meeting rooms and the day spa – very tempting!

We got to stay in the Mountain Villas – there are two and three bedroom configurations.  Huge spaces with incredible views, and a spa on the balcony!!

The highlights, I think though, were the various experiences you can have there – like doing the treetop walk (luckily for me they had one of those backpacks that you can carry babies in when bushwalking – they said it’s just there for guests to use!), and the glow worm tour.  My son (8) loved this!

The Birds of Prey show was amazing too – though not recommended if you don’t like birds – it’s pretty up close & personal! We loved it.

It’s truly amazing what is available just a short drive from Brisbane.

To check out more photos of our annual staff getaway to O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat click here.

J ;-)

Cheers
Jodie, Lisa, Emma, Jasmine & Kara

Email: admin@icebergevents.com.au
Call us on 07 3876 4988

Make an event enquiry

     

With video coming up in blended search results, this is a great way for your conference and event to be found online.

1. Showcase your conference location as a destination:

Are you going to a captial city of Australia? 

For our event websites, we like to add text and images to our about the destination webpage... but why not also embed a video highlighting the beauty of the conference destination?  Often you can find these videos from the media library of your destination's tourism bureau.

This way, potential delegates can  visually engage across all mediums.  This is especially great if you have international visitors.

Here is an example of a promotional video of Brisbane that we may embed in our 'About Brisbane webpage':

What a great way to have the text on the page talking about the great weather and lifestyle in Brisbane, and you have a video to prove it!

2. Promotional video for your conference or event:

Do you hold an annual conference?  Why not get a videographer to film your conference this year so you can have footage for a promo video for next year's event? 

Here is a great example we found of a promo video for South by Southwest (SXSW):

 3. Interview the speakers:

Asking speakers for a few minutes of their time to answer a question that may have not been covered during the presentation or panel discussion gives delegates another opportunity to engage with the event and a great value add.

Check this with the MC, facillitator and speaker. They may be excited to be involved with this additional opprtunity.  It's great exposure for them too!

We have made our first foray into video for events - here is a video for one our monthly Networx events 'Blogging & Video Marketing for Business':

As the event organisers, we didn't want to just film the event's panel discussion from start to finish and make it publicly available.  Having a video with 'never-before-seen' footage gives the event attendees fresh content, and a snapshot for people who weren't there.

4. Interview the attendees or delegates:

Client testimonials are important for any business for endorsement; so filming attendees give their tick of approval for the event can be invaluable.

Here is an example of an attendees' feedback video reel that we found from the SES Conference:

If it's an annual conference or event, it's a good idea to include the attendee's name and company name in the video graphics.  Try to get first-timers!  They have a wonderful enthusiasm and genuine excitement for the conference.

Adam Franklin recommends that "once the testimonial is done, keep the video recording and ask if they give you permission to use that video on YouTube and for marketing purposes. This is way easier than worrying about signing release papers!"

1. Speak with your conference organiser so they can budget for a videographer.  It's easier to factor in a videographer in the planning stages.  Potentially the audio visual company knows a good videographer; it may work out better if it's all streamlined.

2. Get a professional!  It is worth the investment in dealing with a professional video production company.  It is one thing to film the conference, but you need a professional to look after the post production too.

3. Make sure you have a video marketing brief! This may be an appointed person on the organising committee. 

4. Remember that it needs to be hosted somewhere!  Ideally, I think it should be on an YouTube channel and shared/embedded from there.  This is so the number of views can stay in one place and you can keep track of it all.

If this is an annual conference or event, why not secure the URL for your conference or event's YouTube channel.  You can make the settings private until you're ready to launch. 

If you have other various marketing videos for your association or organisation's YouTube channel, it could be added to there.

3. Have a plan for where you'll be putting your video. Will it be on an event-branded YouTube channel, email newsletter, conference website or Facebook page? Share, share and share!

All the best with your videos, give it a go, and don't look back!

Today Lord Mayor Graham Quirk launched Brisbane's post-flood economic and community recovery campaign Together Brisbane 'to tell the world that Brisbane is re-energised and focused on getting back to our best, if not better than ever.

Together Brisbane is a celebration of our city's unique community spirit and is designed to address negative perceptions of Brisbane post-flood, capture community and business optimism for our future and to firmly position Brisbane nationally and internationally as Australia's new world city.

It's a long-term strategy resulting from extensive stakeholder research and a post-flood advertising media industry forum, hosted by Brisbane Marketing in January, where support was expressed for an overall recovery campaign.

The campaign includes a comprehensive television, radio, print, outdoor, cinema and online advertising campaign, which will run locally, nationally and internationally from April to September 2011, thanks to the generous pro bono support of the advertising media industry.

The key component of the campaign is an interactive website http://togetherbrisbane.com.au through which residents and businesses can share their photos and stories with the world as to why they believe Brisbane is better than ever. Highlights of these contributions will feature throughout a number of exhibits during the Brisbane Festival from 3-24 September, 2011.

Together Brisbane is a true celebration of our community spirit, I hope you can join in and help us show the world that Brisbane is better than ever and invite your networks to come to Australia's new world city to see for themselves.

Kind regards

John Aitken
Chief Executive Officer
Brisbane Marketing

These funky new photo booths are designed for guests to let go of their inhibitions in front of the camera, perfect for both entertainment and creating priceless memories that will last long after your event. These crowd pleasers are great for any event, from gala dinners, birthdays and formals to corporate functions.

An example of these mobile digital photo booths is Flashback Photobooths.  They have joined the phenomenon of mobile photobooths, catering not only for parties and celebrations but also corporate events.  They have a range of packages available including their unique Corporate Logo Option - a great marketing tool for promotional events. Your event logo will be printed on the last frame of every photo-strip and corporate dressing on the photobooth itself. A valuable token for guests to take home and remember your event and how much fun they had.

We were at Event Conneqion in 2010 and below is an example of a branded photo by Photorazzi:

Here are some more Photo Booth companies servicing Brisbane/Gold Coast & the rest of Queensland:

Flashback Photobooths
http://www.flashbackphotobooths.com.au/Home.aspx

The PhotoBooth People
http://www.thephotoboothpeople.com.au/

Photorazzi
http://www.photorazzi.com.au/

Funky Foto Booths
http://www.funkyfotobooths.com/index.asp

What a start to the year it’s been!

Lots of exciting events happening here (of the non-disastrous kind).  Cornett’s IGA had a great time on Daydream Island (a week after Cyclone Yasi - thank goodness!),  Foot Locker had their Team Week at the Hyatt Coolum, and thousands of women participated in the RACQ Insurance International Women’s Day Fun Run/Walk for 2011.

We would like to welcome Kara Sullivan to the team as our new Event Assistant – this is to support Jasmine Russell, who has been promoted to Event Coordinator, and Emma Tooth, who has moved to Event Manager!  Kara seems to be settling in – please say hi and welcome when you call next!

Her first event onsite will be next Tuesday's Networx event 'Unleashing the Creative Customer - creative marketing in the age of user generated content'.

I hope that you were minimally impacted by all of the natural disasters that have happened lately, but if not, I hope that you have been amazed (as I have been) at the generosity of people wanting to help.

Talk soon.

Welcome

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Check this out!

Lovers Cove (featured above) is only one of the many outdoor venues offered at Daydream Island for hosting events.

Book your next conference or incentive at Daydream Island Resort & Spa and receive a special 2 for 1 offer on accommodation and conference packages*.

Read more

With it's New York warehouse style interior design, The Villager offers flexible function areas with sophisticated, yet casual atmosphere.

For your chance to win a $100 Voucher for two at The Villager Hotel email us your details and the answer to the question: "What is the Sword Fish on the menu served with?"

Read more

When: 27 February -2 March 2011
Where: Hyatt Regency Coolum
Attendees: Approx 150
Event Type: conference, store managers, retail

 When: 10-13 February 2011
Where: Daydream Island
Attendees: Approx 100
Event Type: conference, store managers, trade show

When: 30 March 2011
Where: The Villager Hotel, Brisbane

More about the event

When: 22 February 2011
Where: Central Eagle Street Conference Venue, Brisbane

More about the event

Did you know that you can get insurance especially for events? In light of the wild weather we have been having lately, it’s getting more common for people to insure their events against things like your venue being uninhabitable (think: Hayman Island after Yasi), your airline bringing your delegates in going under (think: Ansett), your keynote speaker being unable to attend at the last minute (think: any presenters coming out of the the US after 9/11). In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t cost that much to insure your event against these kinds of unforeseen occurrences!! Chances are that you won’t have to use it, but if you do…

Our local post office closed due to flood damage so we've now got a new postal address. Please update your records to: PO Box 3080, South Brisbane Qld 4101.  All our other details remain the same!

Located across from the Treasury Casino, its central location is close to accommodation, public transport and parking. The Villager aims to provide a relaxed atmosphere in a friendly environment. Delivering a new concept in casual dining and late night lounging to Brisbane’s hospitality landscape – The Villager is a place for the unpretentious yet discerning to stop by for a home-cooked meal or settle in for a night of tasty tipples.

The Villager can accommodate parties of ten through to cocktail receptions of 120. We cater for all events from personal celebrations including birthdays, engagement parties and weddings to corporate events including product launches, private business meetings, conferences, fashion parades, and everything in-between. Read more

185 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000 | Call 07 3211 1300 | Subscribe to the Mailing List
Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter: @VillagerHotel
thevillager.com.au

To win a $100 dinner for two at The Villager Hotel entrants had to answer the question..."What is the Sword Fish on the menu served with?"

The competition is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, Clare Murray from CARRS-Q, QUT!

Daydream Island Resort and Spa is big enough to host major events for up to 250 delegates (catering for up to 500 including partners) and yet small enough to provide a personal touch. The well appointed accommodation, comprehensive conference facilities with five individual conference rooms are complemented by the island’s sparkling bays and secluded beaches. These are perfect for themed team building activities and events.

There are over 70 different types of group or individual team building activities available at Daydream, including Survivor style challenges, a Great Barrier Reef Cruise, reef fishing, a mini Olympics, scavenger hunt, mini golf tournament, or a Croc Safari.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa is home to a 44 foot Outdoor Cinema screening blockbuster movies, a mini themed golf course, ‘Living Reef’ man made living coral reef lagoon and world class Rejuvenation Spa.

Enjoy the abundance of unique outdoor venues ideal for truly memorable events including a casual poolside gathering, a formal dinner at Lovers Cove or an exciting “Oscars” awards ceremony at the 44ft Open Air Cinema. Larger groups can also choose to book the entire island for a sole-use conference or event.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa is the perfect place to motivate and inspire.

Book your next conference or incentive at Daydream Island Resort & Spa and receive a special 2 for 1 offer on accommodation and conference packages*.

Pay for 1 delegate and get the 2nd delegate free as part of a special deal applicable for bookings made by 31 August 2011 for stays up to 31 August 2011 or 1st February 2012 to 31 August 2012.

*Terms and conditions apply. Accommodation based on twin share basis - not available on single room. Includes conference day delegate package. Must make a minimum booking of 50 delegates. Excludes functions and team building. Book, pay and stay from 1 February 2011 to 31 August 2011 or stay 1 February to 31 August 2012.

As part of the official project launch, the design of the first stage of the project was unveiled – the transformation of the iconic Industrial Pavilion into a $59 million convention and exhibition centre. The new centre will importantly retain the key heritage facades built in 1937 and is due to be completed next year.

RNA chief executive Jonathan Tunny says the 22ha. site will be transformed into a year-round culture and lifestyle hub. Other works in the 15-year project include development of a commercial and residential precinct and a hotel.

Here is a copy of the letter from Peppers:

Peppers is going to be a part of something big. Really big!

We are delighted to announce a new multi-million dollar promotional partnership with the top rating television programme MasterChef.

The partnership is one of the biggest in the history of the Peppers brand.

Exposure will include:

As a group, we will be able to exclusively tap into MasterChef concepts to help our business development. This is a coup for consumer, conference and corporate groups as we will be only official accommodation brand able to offer experiences such as team challenges, invention tests, mystery box challenges, pressure tests etc.

But it's not just event-based business that will develop – we'll be able to create accommodation packages featuring official MasterChef merchandise and local food trail experiences. We will also have access to the programme's personalities and contestants from the 2010 series to appear at our events and promotions.

This is also the ideal opportunity for Peppers properties to shine and step up to the next level in terms of delivering a world-class, imaginative and impressive foodie tourism experience.

Last year, each night, more than 1.9 million people watched MasterChef. The 2010 series finale attracted more than 4 million viewers and was the highest rating non-sporting event ever recorded on Australian television. This season MasterChef will air for 14 weeks from May until July 2011. Eighty five episodes of the show will be screened six nights a week, from Sunday to Friday at 7.30pm on Network Ten.

Our promotional activity and business development using a MasterChef theme will continue till the end of November 2011.

So as you can see, we are headed into a very exciting time.

Kind regards,

Ken Minnikin
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

A large component of that was introducing an accreditation program for PCOs.

Accreditation provides clients and industry with an assurance that the Event Manager and or Event Management Business they are dealing with is committed to the highest quality event management business practices, consistency and reliability in the delivery of services, professional standards and dedication to continuous improvement.

I have particularly enjoyed being a delegate (such a novelty!!) at the Annual PCO Association Conference - the opportunity to speak to others in the industry is invaluable.  If I had have had this kind of forum 15 years ago, who knows where I would be now!

We were very quick to go through the accreditation process both at an individual and a company level. I'm very pleased to say that Emma Tooth was recently accredited too!

To learn more about it - see www.pco.asn.au 

Construction of the BCEC expansion which boasts five levels of boutique meetings and events space has reached a milestone with the roof now being completed.

The new expanded Centre will have an additional 19 meeting rooms and event spaces and 52% increase in convention space including three stand alone tiered plenary halls able to accommodate from 200 to 8,000 delegates!

This new expansion will assist in the growth of the Brisbane events industry greatly. Market interest in the venue has already exceeded expectations, with 80 bookings (24 confirmed conventions) that are worth more than $40 million in economic benefit to Brisbane.

Additionally the general manager Bob O’Keefe says the expansion will create more than 4000 full-time equivalent jobs in its first 15 years. This is a fantastic development for Brisbane and Queensland in the aftermath of the floods that have affected many businesses right across the state.

For more information click here.

Emma is a member of the Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Association and is working towards gaining her Certified Events Manager accreditation. 

Well done Emma!

Jasmine is also a member of the Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Association and is looking forward to the new challenge! 

Well done Jasmine!

I'm proud to have these girls as part of the Iceberg Events team!

J ;)

Jodie Parker
Managing Director

It’s already the end of another year, and again, I don’t know where it’s gone.  It has been a big year for me with the arrival of Evie in August – she has fast become an integral member of the team and has even come along to an event or two!  I am, as always, beyond grateful to the fabulous girls that work with me for making it easy for me to disappear for a while.

Emma and I have just returned from the Annual Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) Conference – this time in Hobart.  I learned a lot, and was able to talk to others in the industry, which is always a great opportunity!  Looking forward to next year in Christchurch, NZ.

This year we're celebrating 5 years of Networx Marketers Meetings events in Brisbane!  We had an awesome time at the End of Year event where everyone was surprised with winning a prize!  We've also been to lots of new venues this year.  One of them has been Drift Cafe Jetty Events, a refurbished and rebranded Oxley's on the River. They're hosting a New Year's Eve Party with the theme 'Cirque du Masquerade' and giving away a $50 voucher this month!

Radisson Resort Gold Coast is also offering a chance to win a night's accommodation including breakfast for 2 if you make a conference enquiry by 28 February 2011.  Please spread the word!  They have won a host of awards for excellence and EarthCheck Silver status for outstanding environmental and social responsibilities.

As I write this, I am getting ready for my Grandmother’s 100th Birthday Party (she was born on 10 December, 1910).  The 100th birthday celebrations have gotten bigger than Ben Hur, with politicians and journalists to be in attendance, besides her friends and family. Happy Birthday Granny Grey!!

Merry Christmas to all – I hope to catch up in the new year!

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Party on the river at Drift for their Cirque du Masquerade - New Year's Eve Party! 

Check out the Conference Summer Specials at Mantra Mooloolaba Beach. Dedicated events coordinators will ensure nothing is left to chance in creating a successful conference for up to 200 delegates.

Request a proposal from the Radisson Resort Gold Coast by
28 February 2011 through us to be in the draw to win one night's accommodation, with breakfast
for two valued at $179.

When: November 2010
Jasmine and Lisa attended the iXmas Party which Networx supported

When: October 2010
Emma & Jasmine visit the pandas at Adelaide Zoo and get captured in Adelaide's InDaily online newspaper for the Green Roofs Conference

Brisbane Road Runners Club are again organising the much-loved RACQ Insurance International Women's Day Fun Run/Walk on Sunday 6 March 2011 at the Parklands, South Bank. 

When: 20 -23 October 2010
Where: Adelaide Zoo
Attendees: Approx 120
Event Type: conference, association, green roofs, green walls

When: 29 Sep -1 October 2010
Where: Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
Attendees: Approx 100
Event Type: parking, council, managers, workshop

When: 16 - 19 September 2010
Where: The Shine Dome, Canberra
Attendees: Approx 130
Event Type: scientific meeting, medicine, aviation, australasia, association

When: 22 September 2010
Where: Drift Cafe Jetty Events, Milton

More about the event

When: 28 October 2010
Where: Ship Inn, Southbank

More about the event

When: 17 November 2010
Where: Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Fortitude Valley

More about the event

For our celebrations everyone won a prize at our November event held at the Judith Wright Centre.  We couldn't have lasted this long without our event and venue partners. A big shout out to you all!  View photos here.
 

You want to put together speakers together for a conference panel?

Thanks to Mel Kettle for forwarding us this great article by Scott Stratten: '7 Tips on How to Make Your Conference Rock' on making your conference panel a success! Read More

We're taking a break from 12pm, Thursday 23 December 2010 & returning on Monday 10 January 2011.

The 280-room resort has outstanding features and a team dedicated to service excellence. The resort is less than an hour from Gold Coast and Brisbane Airports, a shuttle bus service will transfer groups from arrival points and to local destinations.

Radisson is 10 minutes drive from golden beaches, the casino, exciting nightlife, shopping precincts, and two major sports stadiums. Delegates enjoy the peace and quiet; the building is set among hectares of landscaped grounds. There are 10 meeting rooms all with natural light, air-conditioning, and free high-speed internet access plus a choice of outdoor areas.  The pillarless Masters Ballroom is the centrepiece.

Meeting rooms can cater for up to 700 delegates. All guest rooms have private balconies or courtyards and expansive views. These spacious contemporary rooms have work desks, free high-speed internet access, direct dial phones, minibars, and ensuite bathrooms.

Leisure facilities include two outdoor swimming pools, day and night tennis courts, an exceptional gym, walking tracks and a day spa. The resort links with several championship golf courses. The catering team impresses delegates with well-planned menus designed to cater for all tastes and dietary requirements. The award-winning Chelos at Radisson Restaurant and Bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

Radisson Resort Gold Coast has won a host of awards for excellence and EarthCheck Silver status for outstanding environmental and social responsibilities.

Request a proposal from the Radisson Resort Gold Coast, through Iceberg Events (email us) to be in the draw to win one night's accommodation, with breakfast for two valued at $179. All Enquires are to be received prior to 28 February 2011.

Thanks to Mel Kettle for forwarding us this great article by Scott Stratten: '7 Tips on How to Make Your Conference Rock' on making your conference panel a success:

10 minutes for each person to “present” isn’t enough time to get into anything of substance anyways, but take those away and open the entire up for discussion, now we’re onto something!

People like to hear themselves talk, *cough* me *cough* but they take over the panel and a good moderator not only knows how to cut off a blabbering mouth, but also knows each persons strengths and can direct questions and rebuttals to the appropriate person.

I realize a lot of people speak on panels to get exposure for their company, but the best way to do this is to get into the meat of the panel topic and share great info.

This is also an issue with solo talks, the content doesn’t match the description. It’s even harder with multiple people on a panel. The biggest problem with not being related to the description is people pick which concurrent session to go to based on that write up, which means they aren’t going to another.  If you don’t deliver on your promise, not only is there a let down, but a missed opportunity to see another session that may have been more suitable.

I’m all in favor for banning them altogether, but especially for a panel. It’s a think-tank, and a place to create a dialog that happens nowhere else. A slide deck prevents this, especially if they’re the same ones the panelists use in their individual presentations.

A real let down for an audience is when each panelist says the same thing. This doesn’t mean there has to be violent arguments, but have different perspective on points at least.

This is one of the reasons why I don’t like it when conferences take it upon themselves to pair up moderators and panelists, but the onus is more so on the moderator doing his/her homework on the topic, participants and audience.

View the full article here.

Dedicated events coordinators at Mantra Mooloolaba Beach will ensure nothing is left to chance in creating a successful conference for up to 200 delegates.

Additionally, stay overnight in a 1 Bedroom Apartment from $140* per night.

Breakfast packages are available from $10* per person.

To book call (07) 5452 2871 email conferencesc@mantragroup.com.au

*Conditions apply. Subject to availability. Valid for new business only for bookings contracted by January 2011. Valid for conferences held between February & June. Minimum 20 delegates apply and 20 room nights apply.

Friday 31 December 2010, 8pm - 1am | Drift Cafe, Jetty & Events, 330 Coronation Drive, Milton
Call 3368 1866 for bookings | $160pp or $1,400 for group of 10, from 8pm - 1am

Gracing the river bank on the western reach of the brisbane river and embracing the panoramic views of Australia's most 'liveable city', lies a unique australian dining and entertainment experience we love to call - Drift Cafe Jetty Events.

Located only 2km from the Brisbane CBD and only 200m from Park Road, this beautiful venue has an atmosphere that is relaxed and elegant, and boasts sweeping views from the city down to Toowong.

The dream behind Drift is to bring to Brisbane a wonderful venue that you can have fun in, where you can enjoy the company of your friends over some great food and laughter.  Think of it as an oasis in the middle of an urban jungle.  Showcasing the talents of head chef Benny Loh and his team, drift combines unique modern Australian cuisine with the best Australian produce.  Open for lunch and dinner everyday, this beautiful 220 seat cafe is perfect for long, lazy lunches on the river, drinks in the lounge or dinner by candlelight. With live entertainment everyday, drift truly is a unique dining experience.

drift.com.au

Jodie Parker, Managing Director and Founder of Iceberg Events, was nominated in the 2010 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards as "one to watch".

These awards are an initiative of Brisbane Business News and coincides with the publication’s special annual Young Entrepreneur edition. To be nominated for the awards is a huge achievement and outstanding recognition of the hardwork Jodie has contributed to building Iceberg Events.

The celebratory lunch was held at the award-winning Moda restaurant in the heart of the CBD and was a great opportunity to bring together the candidates that ranged from a variety of industries and backgrounds.

"Phillip Di Bellla of Espresso Enterprises took top honours for his insatiable entrepreneurial appetite as he sought and discovered new markets and products, but denying the Highly Commended duo of Scott Geiszler and Anthony Russo of Pizza Capers the top gong was a tough call." Brisbane Business News article.

View Iceberg's photos from the day.

View Brisbane Business News' photos.

Here is the article that was published in the Brisbane Busines News - Brisbane Young Entrepenuers 2010 edition:

Brisbane is a great destination for your next conference...

Clean, green, sustainable, friendly, tolerant, multi-cultural, creative, collaborative, energetic, progressive and liveable... Brisbane knows exactly where it wants to be.

As conference organisers, we think there are fantastic venues and acommodation places around Brisbane, in the city, South Bank and over to Moreton Island.

For more info, visit www.meetininbrisbane.com.au

Hello again -

We have luckily had a bit of a lull in June/July/August - all the better because things are about to start cranking up for the end of the year!  Emma has been able to go on a well-needed holiday to New Zealand, Lisa is off to Fiji, and I'm about to have a baby (that's not much of a holiday!).

We have just recently organised the the International Nonprofit & Social Marketing Conference for 2010 which was co-hosted by QUT and Griffith University.

Coming up, we have Queensland Sugar celebrating 20 million tonnes of Sugar being sent to the Republic of Korea, the Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine's (ASAM) Annual Conference & Scientific Meeting at the Shine Dome in Canberra, the Australian National Parking Steering Group's (ANPSG) Workshop in Hobart, and the Green Roofs Conference in Adelaide.  Busy!

We are also pleased to welcome back Cornett's IGA, Foot Locker Asia Pacific, the Australian Association of Practice Managers (AAPM) and the Brisbane Road Runners Club for their event in 2011 - all clients that we love working with.

Networx Marketers Meetings continue to do well, which is great!  I have (sadly) missed the last two - for the first time since we started them in Brisbane in 2005, but I love getting texts and messages from people there telling me how much they enjoy attending.   The next one coming up is 'The Art of Negotiation' on 25 August.

Emma and I are already looking forward to attending the Annual PCO Conference in Hobart in December - so much fun to be a delegate for a change!  I know that Lisa is looking forward to attending the ICOGRADA Design Week Brisbane for designers in October as well.

We have a great prize for one night's accommodation to Novotel Twin Waters Resort - make sure you enter!

Talk soon

J  ;-)

Welcome

Conference Venues & Offers

Iceberg Events
Around the Traps

Upcoming Events

Networx Events

Tip from the Iceberg

Be in a chance to win one night’s accommodation with breakfast for 2 adults at Novotel Twin Waters Resort!

Overlooking the Brisbane River and the Dockside marina, this event experience is the ideal space to showcase what Brisbane has to offer.

Exceptional design and
environmental features

When: July 2010
Lisa Ma attends a PCO Famil hosted by Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast

When: June 2010
Jodie sends the Iceberg girls to Sex and the City 2 Fundraiser screening - in support of Australian Animal Cancer Foundation.

When: June 2010
Lisa Ma and Jasmine Russell attend Event ConneQion at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

When: 19 May 2010
Where: XXXX Alehouse, Milton

When: 23 June 2010
Where: Port Office Hotel, Brisbane City

More about the event

When: 28 July 2010
Where: Vapiano Restaurant, Brisbane

Upcoming event: 'The Art of Negotation', 6-8.30pm, Wednesday 25 August at The Landing at Dockside, Kangaroo Point More info | Book Now
 

Though everything seems to be on-line these days, there are always still some printing requirements for events.

Have a think early on in the planning for your event about what collateral you are going to need to design and print.  Postcards?  Posters?  Registration forms?  Programs?  Books of Abstracts?

If you can get all of this down into a plan, with the anticipated quantities you'll need, your friendly printer will probably be able to give you a much better deal.  ;-)

ROOF GARDEN
High above the city streets, with panoramic views of the Adelaide Hills and city skyline, the designer roof garden is a unique sanctuary; the only one of its kind in Adelaide and a must see for any traveller.  Located on the upper most level of the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, relax and enjoy the view.

Overlooking the roof garden on level 7 of the hotel, the Nandina Function rooms offer a perfect fusion of intimate space and natural light. One of Adelaide’s newest and most impressive venues, indulge in exquisite food, wine and superior service. The roof garden is a venue  . . . a meeting point . . . a haven.

CULSHAW’S GRILL
Welcome to Culshaw's Grill at the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel. It all starts with the food! Our Head Chef has carefully sourced the finest products South Australia has to offer to create the modern Australian menu. Couple it with friendly and informed service and an extensive wine list and you have yourself a complete restaurant experience.

At Culshaw’s Grill, food and wine is not our business, it is our pleasure.

Exclusive Offer

Valid from now until 31 March 2011. Terms & Conditions apply.

For more information on how we can make your event one to remember, please contact Sandra functions@majestichotels.com.au or 08 8100 4494 and mention 'Iceberg Events'.

www.majestichotels.com.au

Have a think early on in the planning for your event about what collateral you are going to need to design and print.  Postcards?  Posters?  Registration forms?  Programs?  Books of Abstracts?

If you can get all of this down into a plan, with the anticipated quantities you'll need, your friendly printer will probably be able to give you a much better deal.  ;-)

The resort’s seven purpose built conference rooms are designed to provide delegates with a great venue; top class accommodation, stylish and comfortable conference rooms, specialist technical and creative services, state-of-the-art facilities and, of course, Novotel is synonymous with personalised and friendly service.

At Novotel Twin Waters Resort every conference group can be confident their business can be mixed with pleasure, as the resort offers a range of outdoor conference options including beaches, the Eucalypt Clearing, the Circus Lawn and Lily’s on the Lagoon for a truly memorable and unique experience, plus exclusive access to a range of unique leisure team building activities.

Indulge in an amazing choice of activities including golf, tennis, water sports, yoga and spa treatments at the Lagoon Day Spa, or wine and dine your delegates at any of resort’s range of fine-dining and casual restaurants, pre-function and cocktail areas.

For an unrivalled experience treat the team to distinctive group activities. Fly high at Cirque Espace, a dedicated circus school unique to the region; the perfect team building activity for conference groups with gumption, ideal for building team skills, trust and communication 20 metres in the air. Also exclusive to the resort is Australia’s first two-wheel All Terrain Segway Xperience, perfect for a fun and relaxing end to a long hard day.

Or, for more of a challenge, switch to survivor mode with Xperience’s Lost Challenge. Pull the team together with a simulated air-crash survival scenario, complete with an amazing 22 metre Caribou Fuselage prop for realism.

Novotel Twin Water’s Resort understands that imagination and inventiveness is the key to pulling a team together. So mix your business with pleasure on the beautiful, sub-tropical Sunshine Coast, the perfect venue for meetings, conferences, incentives and gala events.

Chance to Win!
Be in a chance to win one night’s accommodation with breakfast for 2 adults at Novotel Twin Waters Resort. 

To enter, email us what your preferred team building activity would be, including your name, position, company, email address and contact number(s) to admin@icebergevents.com.au by Monday 30 August. The winner will be randomly drawn on Tuesday 31 August and notified by phone & email.

Conference Enquiries
For more information about conferencing at Novotel Twin Waters Resort and for the best available rates, call 07 5450 9582 and mention “Iceberg Events”.
Sharon White
Phone: 07 5450 9538
Email: conference@twinwatersresort.com.au

Overlooking the Brisbane River and the Dockside marina, this event experience is the ideal space to showcase what Brisbane has to offer. Your guests can arrive by boat, enjoy drinks and canapés on the terrace, and dance under the twinkle of fairy lights with the iconic Story Bridge adding sparkle to the view.

Catering for cocktail receptions from 30 to 1500 guests, and dining areas from 30 – 500, get away from the office for a day, and meet in our tranquil garden setting, bbq on our terrace and laugh the night away in our Comedy room. With 3 unique spaces, each with their own fantastic dance floor areas, we can offer tailored and all inclusive packages.  Design your whole event from the beginning with the help of our dedicated team, or let us do it for you.

Dining Packages start at $50 per person and Cocktail Packages start at $60 all inclusive.

Tailor an event to suit your style, taste and budget.

Please contact our Coordinators on (07) 3217 3646.
Email us on info@landingatdockside.com.au
44 Ferry street Dockside Kangaroo Point 4169
Download our menus, packages and photos landingatdockside.com.au

Fortunately for us, Clare from Lucid Photography saw that we needed help after we sent out our May Newsletter (and seeing our old team photo) and we quickly accepted her expertise in professional corporate photography. 

We were really happy with the results and we think she delivered quality corporate head shots that she describes as: "Well planned head shots [that] will capture your style and personality, with a smart, professional edge."

Here are the photos from the shoot, we hope you like them!

Above: Jodie Parker, Lisa Ma, Emma Tooth & Jasmine Russell

Above Left: Jodie Parker; Above Right: Lisa Ma

Above Left: Emma Tooth; Above Right: Jasmine Russell

Only 10 accommodation rooms makes it very cozy - gorgeous rooms, all individually decorated.  My room (lucky me) had a spa in the bedroom!  Huge bathroom with his 'n' hers (his 'n' his??  Hers 'n' hers???) showers - love the heated towel rails (you don't get that often in Queensland, now do you?)

Oh - and the little window seats in your room (if you are on the first floor) with cushions, looking out into the valley.  Love it.

Books everywhere - lots of little spaces with bookshelves full of novels and coffee table books and "14000 things to make you happy" kind of books.  Love the library, to - perfect spot to curl up on the couch with one of their books (or one of your own) - or play Trivial Pursuit or Backgammon.  Nice.

Gorgeous day spa, which smells divine.  I think it was cinnamon and vanilla??  Not sure, but it was lovely.

Everything here is French influence - from the framed french newspapers on the wall, to the french Cooking Classes which you can take (I now know how to bone a chicken.  Who'd have thought!?)  We made our own lunch, which of course, was fantastic.

Executive groups of about 10 (any more and you'd need to twin share) - retreats, planning days, strategic meetings - would be perfect.  Apparently the restaurant will be opening to the public for lunch and dinner in the next little while - another great lunch spot in Montville!

A lovely Parisienne breakfast this morning before we went to see Spicers Tamarind - which is just up the road at Maleny, and is not even open yet.  Tamarind will have more conference space (around 30 people here), but it will be a while before the accommodation catches up - there's currently only six rooms being built, which will go up to fourteen in Stage 2.

Where Clovelly Estate is French influenced, Tamarind is Thai.  There will be a Thai Cooking School here (Tamarind was originally a Thai Cooking School - so they are building on that and adding accommodation).

Looking forward to seeing this one completed!

The hotel is beautiful, and the service is fantastic.  We were using a boardroom which had loads of natural light, but the main "conferencing" floor has HEAPS of space for trade displays as well as large meetings.

Michelle, our contact at the hotel, is wonderful to deal with - nothing is ever too much trouble.

We had a very fun dinner in Benihana's - the teppenyaki restaurant.  So much food, and so much fun!

We also had a staff dinner at Dracula's - not quite in the same league as Benihana's, but an experience, none-the-less.  The show was called "Vampirates", and the girls did enjoy the big fishbowl cocktails...

I wish I had have done this at the time - I'm sure that my memory would be clearer - but suffice to say that my overall impression and recollection is that we had a great weekend, and I'd highly recommend it!!

J  ;-)

It's been a busy couple of months here at Iceberg Events, with the first quarter keeping us running with Cornett's IGA Staff Conference, Foot Locker Asia Pacific Team Week, RACQ International Women's Day Fun Run/Walk, the CoreNet Global Brisbane Chapter Symposium and AAPM Staff Development Day!  All great events and clients that we love working with.

We are very lucky to have had Jasmine Russell join the team - she hit the ground running, that's for sure, during this very busy period!

We got a bit of a breather in April, but May is ramping up already!  I've been travelling about all over the place looking at venues for events we have coming up in 2011 and 2012.  I spent a day or so in Newcastle which was surprising!  Not at all what I expected.  I also attended a trade show in Auckland where I met some great people, and got some fantastic ideas for clients looking to go off shore.

We also went away for our annual Strategy Weekend (the Iceberg girls and their partners) to the fabulous Couran Cove Island Resort - what a great place to spend some time thinking.

Couran Cove Island Resort have a great Winter Conference Special at the moment and all enquiries will go into a draw to win one night's accommodation including return ferry transfers, bike hire and buffet breakfast for 2 adults!

We've had three sold out Networx events in a row which is a bit of a record.  All of that social media activity, and SEO for the new Networx website seems to be paying off!  We held our March event at Iceworks Paddington and were really impressed with the space. They're giving away 2 tickets to their June LOL Luncheon!

Our next event coming up on Wednesday 19 May is perfect for gaining an unique insight into sponsorship and community engagement and investment.  We hope you can join us or pass the info onto anyone who you think may benefit.

Looking forward to the weather getting colder.

Welcome

Conference Venues & Offers

Iceberg Events
Around the Traps

Recent Events

Networx Events

Tip from the Iceberg

Also be in a chance to go into
a draw to win a night's accommodation!

Contemporary function spaces offering individual charm.
Chance to win 2 tickets to the
LOL Luncheon on 18 June!

Exceptional design and
environmental features

Iceberg Events held their own
Strategy Weekend in April

The TEC group that Jodie's a
member of held their meeting
on a boat

The girls were excited about meeting the entertainment
at the Foot Locker Asia Pacific
Awards Dinner

When: 15 May 2010
Where: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Attendees: Approx 400
Event Type: conference, trade exhibition, association, healthcare practice managers

When: 7 March 2010
Where: South Bank Parklands
Attendees: Over 7,000
Event Type: Public community event, fun run/walk, sporting

When: 28 February -3 March 2010
Where: RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast
Attendees: Approx 150
Event Type: conference, store managers, retail

When: 24 February 2010
Where: Central Eagle St Conference Venue

When: 24 March 2010
Where: Iceworks Paddington

When: 28 April 2010
Where: Cloudland,
Fortitude Valley

Most venues will leverage the room hire on the space that you want to use against the amount you are
planning to spend on food & beverage (and maybe accommodation as well).

If they don't mention it in the proposal, see if they will waive the room hire charge if you get to a certain level of F&B spend, and make sure it's a level you are comfortable with!

Many thanks to Ruth Appleby from the Newcastle Convention & Visitors Bureau, who really knew her stuff!  She managed to fit in heaps of potential venues for us, and even a couple that weren't on our agenda!

Though my client was Aviation related, there are many, many places that any group interested in Marine or Aquaculture would love - such as the Maritime Centre or the area around the Honeysuckle Boiler Shop which is being restored to become part of a larger precinct.

We were lucky enough to be staying at Crowne Plaza - right on the harbour, and also part of the Honeysuckle Development.  All of the rooms at Crowne Plaza are suites (nice!), and though it is a very looooong building (it looks like there is a mirror at the end of the hallway when you are going to your room - but no, the hallway really is that long), it's place on the harbour, with the walkway all along the water is lovely, and there are a heap of great restaurants very close by.

We saw some great function spaces such as Longworth House (beautiful for weddings, and a great tapas bar on Thurs/Fri/Sat nights), Fort Scratchley (where - if you want - your President/Chair/CEO could FIRE ONE OF THE GUNS as part of your event!!), and Newcastle Ocean Baths - where I just want to see some syncronised swimmers in neck-to-knee swimsuits and bathing caps.

Noah's on the Beach has a fabulous spot - with floor to ceiling glass in the conference room - but how could you concentrate with whales and dolphins frollicking in the surf right outside?

The Civic Precinct is also fantastic - what a great old theatre (would be fabulous for a Phantom of the Opera kind of event), and the City Hall (I do love a Town Hall - so much character - not at all like modern function rooms).

All in all - lots to see and do.  Highly recommended for groups that have been there and done that!

J  ;-)

Couran Cove Island Resort is the perfect destination for rewarding a job well done; for spoiling a high-performing team, or simply for getting down to business. Located on South Stradbroke Island, just a 40-minute ferry ride from the Gold Coast mainland, Couran Cove Island Resort offers conference groups the opportunity to do as much or as little as they like.

Themed events and dining venues range from forest clearings to beachfront, or for more intimate groups the Resort offers it’s ‘Spirit of Gwonda’ catamaran for private sunset cruises and dinners. Couran Cove Island Resort is perfect as a venue for an intimate gala-dinner, staged in the picturesque Mango Chapel, or the roomier Beach Pavilion for an awards presentation.

Luxury accommodation at Couran Cove Island Resort is situated overlooking either the marina or lagoon, with choices including Marine Deluxe Rooms, Marine Suites, 2-Bedroom Marine Lodges or 4-Bedroom Villas.

If the aim of your trip is to bring your team closer together, then why not have the onsite Sport & Recreation team facilitate an Island Challenge Treasure Hunt or a South Straddie Stranded activity.

The team at Couran Cove Island Resort are dedicated to making conferences and incentives memorable and enjoyable…for all the right reasons!

It’s a wonderful winter to conference at Couran Cove Island Resort! Special offer for conferences booked and held from 1 June - 31 August 2010. 

The all-inclusive residential conference package $249pp per night twin share includes:

Accommodation, ferry transfers, bike hire, in room internet, buffet breakfast, plus complete residential conference package including meeting room, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, standard AV and entertainment.

Plus, choose a reward of:

Terms & Conditions apply. For more information please contact haleybrunell@couran.com or phone 07 5509 3030.

All enquiries received for the above Winter Conference Offer will go in the draw to win a night’s accommodation at Couran Cove Island Resort including return ferry transfers, bike hire and buffet breakfast for 2 adults. For more information please contact haleybrunell@couran.com or phone 07 5509 3030 and mention 'Iceberg Events'.

I've just cut this excerpt from the SmartCompany email that came out today:

Good meetings are scarce but you know when you are attending one. The agenda is clearly defined for everyone, everyone is focused and knows what's going on and everybody there has a sense of purpose contributing. It starts on time and ends promptly with the next steps marked out and confirmed for everyone. There may even be a sense of camaraderie. The alternative is a waste of time.

Meeting "do's":

Meeting "don'ts":

It takes a bit of prep to have a good meeting, but it's so worth it in the long run!  Hope that helps!

J  ;-)

A functions package is available upon request and contains information and pictures and menus from each of the distinct areas in the Iceworks Precinct. To take your special functions to the next level Iceworks are also able to arrange music, guest speakers, and theming.  To request a function please email Sharyn Hallas at sharyn.hallas@iceworks.com.au or phone 07 3367 9800.

Be in a chance to win two tickets to the LOL Ladies Luncheon on Friday 18 June 2010.  To enter, email us one of the function spaces available at the Iceworks Precinct, including your name, position, company, email address and contact number(s) to admin@icebergevents.com.au by Monday 8 June. Winner will be randomly drawn on Tuesday 9 June and notified by phone & email.  Thank you to all who entered, congratulations to the competition winner Kathy Pataczek!

Cnr Given Terrace & Dowse Streets
Paddington Qld 4064
iceworks.com.au

Need an event organiser? We can help.

Ooh - what fun.  I got to have a look at the new Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) the other day.

So many fabulous spaces!  A massive auditorium, lots of other different sized rooms, many of which have natural light, the built in AV, and the REALLY COMFY chairs.  (I also liked the way some of the chairs were red, and some were black, and when they set the room they do this cool kind-of diagonal stripe kind of set up - hard to explain!).

The MCEC recently shone at this year's Australian Interior Design Awards, winning the National Award in the Public Design category and the Best of State Award in the Commercial Design category. The venue was also Highly Commended in the Environmentally Sustainable Design category.

As well as being the first ‘6 Star Green Star' environmentally rated convention and exhibition centre in the world, the MCEC has been the winner of numerous awards for its exceptional environmental and design features.

AND we got to also have a look at the Hilton South Wharf, which is literally on top of the new centre.  Not really any meeting space (well, a small board room, but that's all), but lovely rooms (with beds that you just want to jump on) and great bathrooms.  The Tapas Bar downstairs looks like it would be great fun on a Friday night, too.

Hopefully I get to use these great new additions to Melbourne soon! 

J  ;-)

I am looking forward to this year - it's going to be a lot of fun.  We have lots of work on all over the country this year - Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart....  We seem to be everywhere in 2010.

Sadly, we are losing our Kat shortly, who is off to pursue a new career as a travel agent - which she will be FANTASTIC at.  For one thing, she seems to have been everywhere already.  And for another - she is so lovely and engaging and helpful - people will be unable to resist going on their trips after she's talked to them about it!

Happily though, we have already found someone to take over - so Jasmine will be starting with us next week!  We are looking forward to getting to know Jasmine better, and introducing her to all of our lovely clients.

I recently attended the AGM for the PCO Association - I'll say it again - that is a VERY tough gig, and I think the people behind it are doing a great job.  They have made some positive changes to the industry already, and I'm happy to be behind them.

The girls and I are looking forward to going over the Tangalooma Island Resort next weekend too - all of us are there for a famil (even Jasmine!  Lucky girl).  A bit of dolphin feeding is the best way to get to know your colleagues, I always say.

Hope your 2010 is shaping up to be a good one.

J  ;-)

Emma & I have just returned from Canberra where we went to the PCO Association 2nd Annual Conference held at the National Convention Centre - and again, we had a great time.

The PCO Association (PCO stands for "Professional Conference Organiser", for those outside the industry), has been working very hard in a number of areas, and I'm really pleased that they are.  It needed to happen, but trying to organise a bunch of organisers would be a daunting task for anyone - so hats off to my competitors who are behind it.  I'm really pleased that they've put themselves out there.

One of the best things to come out of this conference is the launch of a specific venue contract for PCOs (which can be downloaded from the PCO Association website).  This is important because PCOs can get themselves in all kinds of strife, signing contracts on behalf of clients when acting as agent - this is something that has concerned me for some time.  I very much hope that all of the venues adopt this contract - so far IHG has done so, and hopefully the other big chains won't be far behind.

Another great thing is the Accreditation process that the PCO Association is putting in place.  It's very simple for someone to set themselves up and call themselves a conference organiser - all you need is a computer and a phone line - there is no barrier to entry.  And while I don't begrudge someone doing that (I did it myself, 14 years ago), I've had clients who have been burned by people who didn't really know what they were doing (though by the same token, I've had clients burned by people who should have known what they were doing, too!).  I think it's a great thing, and I've made the effort to get myself and the company accredited.

Next year is in Hobart - I'll definately be there.  Those Tassies know how to put on a good show.

J  ;-)

The end of the year has rolled around again!  I guess that some of us are happy to see the end of 2009;  2010 has a much more optomistic feel about it. 

With all the talk of the GFC this year, the girls at Iceberg have still had a lot of fun.  We've met some fantastic people, and worked on some great events with some clients and suppliers whom we love working with. 

We've been accredited by the PCO (Professional Conference Organiser) Association and gotten behind this new group which is bringing a bit more credibility to our industry. 

We've done some beautiful branding for client events, and have started expanding our graphic design services to those that aren't event-related!

We've travelled and seen bits of the world that we didn't think we'd get a chance to see, and we're launched our new website which I hope will showcase what we do and bring more people to our door!

All the best to you and your family for the festive season.  Looking forward to seeing you in 2010.

Welcome

Recent Events

Networx Events

Tip of the Iceberg

When: 10-11 Nov 2009
Where: RBWH Education Centre, Brisbane

When: 16 October 2009
Where: Brisbane Technology Park
Attendees: Approx 150

When: 9-12 Sept 2009
Where: Gold Coast International Hotel
Attendees: Approx 250

When: 19 November 2009
Where: Press Club, Fortitude Valley

When: 28 October 2009
Where: Melbourne Hotel, West End

When: 29 September 2009
Where: Cloudland, Fortitude Valley

Some may think it's corny (my husband included), but you just can't have Christmas without Christmas Carols.  There is nothing I love more than endless pop versions of classic carols (you can't go past "Mary's Boy Child" by Boney M, or Madonna's version of "Santa Baby"). 

Download a whole bunch of Xmas songs to your iPod, make a "Christmas" playlist, and put it on repeat for the big day.  Everyone will appreciate it.  It's the soundtrack to your life's memories (that's what I tell my husband, anyway).  ;-)   

From the Iceberg Events team!

Certified Event Manager CEM) is the peak professional standard for event managers.  CEM certification is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative assessments of intelligence/academic ability, industry qualifications, experience and quality of delivery.

As the PCO Association says: 'The PCO Association encourages all Conference and Event Managers to strive for industry Accreditation, and we congratulate you on your commitment to providing the highest quality event management business practices, professional standards and dedication to continuous improvement.'

What is the PCO Association?

To speak with Jodie Parker about your next event, please contact us by completing the event enquiry form, email, or calling 07 3876 4988.

I recently got back from 2 weeks in Vietnam - what a fantastic experience! I was lucky enough to take my six year old, Max, on an Intrepid Family Adventure Tour - I can't tell you what a fantastic time we had!

Vietnam would be a fantastic destination for rewards or incentives for really high performing staff - such an adventure! So very different from your day to day life - I love doing things like that.

We learned so much about the history of Vietnam - not just the various conflicts that have happened (and there have been many!), but the culture and food history, and entertainment and pasttimes of the people, and how they make incense, mats, and conical hats!

We travelled from north to south - being able to spend time on boats (overnight on Ha Long Bay), motorbikes, bicycles, as well as travelling by overnight train on the Reunification Express.

I had clothes made in Hoi An (something that I could get addicted to, let me tell you), and we raced through the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Special thanks to Sonny, our guide. I don't think I ever would have attempted an adventure like that with a six year old, without someone like Sonny to make things happen so smoothly!

If anyone is interested in going to Vietnam, please let me know - if only so that I can re-live some of my adventures, and prolong the holiday....

J ;-)

Saw some great spaces - some I'd seen before, and some new ones. Special thanks to the beautiful Park Hyatt Canberra for putting me up, and showing me around. A great space, lots of natural light in conference rooms (I love that), and as always, the special concierge uniform. ;-)

Looked at various other properties, but one that stands out is the Diamante. Funky! Loved the music that was playing in the common spaces. Great accommodation rooms - reminded me a lot of the Henry Jones in Hobart.

The Realm Hotel is new, and sleek, beautiful. Doesn't seem to have a lot of space for pre-function, but I'm sure that they are creative about that.

Some great venues - such as the Boat House - for special occassions. Beautiful spot on the lake. so tranquil (except for the cockatoos!). I really enjoyed my time there.

Canberra is a great place for a meeting or conference - everything is so close, and easy to get to. And professional! I guess they have to be, with all those pollies. ;-)

Being involved in this has made me think more and more about the spaces that we create, and occupy, day to day.

If your office is a mess (like mine is), it's not a very nice place to be. Wouldn't it be better to design spaces that fit with what you are trying to achieve?

I'm sure I'm not saying anything new here. Architects and interior designers have know this stuff for a long time.

We recently ran a conference called Green Roofs - which was all about, you guessed it, growing gardens on the roof. The people attending were all landscape architects and designers, as well as some bureaucrats - but mostly they were outdoorsy sort of people.

Unfortunately, because their dates were fixed, the ONLY conference venue we could find in Brisbane on those dates that suited their program, was a hotel where the conference space has no natural light at all. This was not a space that I would have chosen for this particular group, if I had have had a choice. By 3.00 pm they were all restless - desperately wanting to see some sunlight!

The Networx Events hat we run monthly are always held in bars - the atmosphere that we want for these is relaxed and friendly - like you are having a drink with mates rather than networking. The music, the lighting, the layout of the room - all of this contributes to the atmosphere, and makes those events what they are.

I guess the moral is to pick a venue that suits your audience, and creates the atmosphere you are after. Common sense, really!

J ;-)

I was lucky enough to visit Mackay recently to check out the new Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC)  which is still under construction.

The $12 million waterfront project is expected to be open in July and will feature a cafe, public art works, children's waterplay and playground area, entertainment stage, boardwalk and picnic and barbeque areas.

On the tour of Mackay we also saw the Artspace and Sarina Sugarshed and travelled to the Pioneer Valley to Marian on the Q150 train.

Mackay is going off! I remember going there about ten years ago, and it was like a ghost town. I looked at the Entertainment Centre back then (the new Convention Centre is being built adjacent to the Entertainment Centre - it will all be one building eventually).

I ran an event there about three years ago, and I didn't recognise the place.

Going back last year, I didn't recognise it AGAIN. It has changed so much. There is so much construction and change going on.

Grinders Catering, who has the contract for Catering for the Convention Centre is fantastic - we got to sample a fantastic array of morning & afternoon tea pieces (the vegetarian tart was my absolute favourite). They will do an awesome job. It is fantastic to find such great food in a regional centre!

Now is the time to keep your meetings going. The tough times are when everyone needs to band together and move in the same direction. Meetings give you the platform to spread some optimism instead of the doom and gloom, even if you do it on a budget.

J ;-)

Yaro Starak was our blogger expert, Dale Rankine the mobile phone apps developer from Moket, and Darren Sutton from digital agency XComm opened our eyes to what is coming up in the digital future.

Very cool was being able to project from Dale's Nokia phone on to the big screen - we've never done that before! Death by powerpoint, yes, but I've never seen anyone play a game on their mobile for the whole audience to see! Thanks to Fairchild Multimedia, who always make these things work.... (thanks John!)

Have also been inspired to get on to Twitter (yes, Dale, I'm one of your tweeps!). I can be followed on Twitter here: @jodieparker.

Promise, I'll be back soon. I saw a lot of cool new stuff when I went down to AIME (the Australasian Meetings & Incentives Expo) - will update soon!

J ;-)

Though, at the moment, there’s no getting around the fact that everyone is going to quote differently, one strategy which will go a long way towards helping you compare apples with apples is to have a consistent brief to all of your potential Event Managers.

1. Dates.  What time of year are you looking at?  Are you flexible at all with your dates?  Even if you can just tell us the preferred month, and maybe days of the week (did you want it to run Thursday to Sunday?  Or not over a weekend?)  Does the event need to coincide with anything else?

2. Region & Venue.  Do you have a region and/or in mind?  A city, a state?   We’re happy to make suggestions, but we’ll get a better idea of what you’re looking for if you’ve got something in mind.

3. Number of people.  Just ballpark at this stage.  We know that sometimes this is a bit like “How long is a piece of String??” but your best guess will do.

4. What kind of event is this?  A conference?  A cocktail party?  An incentive for your staff?

5. Do your guests require accommodation/transfers/airfares?  If there is a significant amount of accommodation involved, your event manager can make commission on this from the venue - which will alter their quote to you.

6. Are your guests/delegates paying to attend?  Or is this all put on for them (lucky them!)

7. Rough program – how you see the event progressing.  This includes how much time you want to have for talking, and the kind of playing that you want to do.  Group Breakfasts?  Dinners?  With speakers?  When? 

8. Sponsors and trade displays – is this part of the equation?  How many trade displays?  How much in sponsorship dollars?

9. Presenters – are the people speaking or performing at this event professionals?  Will they need to be paid?  Or are we talking about presentations being made by your internal staff?

10. Budget (always – the bottom line!).  Do you need to make money on this event?  Do you want it to break even?  Or are you happy to kick in some cash to make it all happen?

Once we know all of those things (though we understand that events evolve as you go along) we can start to put together a quote for our services.  At Iceberg Events, we like to try to put a ballpark budget together for the entire event at this point – which will no doubt change, but it’s somewhere to start.  We figure that it’s all very well for you to know how much the event management is going to cost, but if you can’t see how much the whole project will cost, it doesn’t help you much, now does it?

Work out why you are doing this & how you want the event to unfold
Your event manager needs to be able to listen to the objectives for your project (is this a serious conference with serious issues to discuss?  Is it an opportunity for franchisees to meet each other and talk off- line? 

Whatever the objective, your event manager needs to make some suggestions as to the best way to meet them.  He or she needs to help you with how to effectively program the meeting, so that it flows, is logistically as simple as possible, and meets those objectives you’ve set.

Program Development
Obviously, you know what you want said at this meeting.  Your event manager probably doesn’t have the expertise to put a program together specifically for your group.  What he or she can do, however, is help you program it, so it flows.

Your event manager can help you make sure you’re not cramming too much in to one day;  to make sure there is networking opportunities, and times out of the “classroom”;  to give time for the venue to re-set rooms, if that is what’s needed.

Project Plan & Timeline
Next, your event manager needs to work out a project plan and timeline, which shows all of the tasks which need to be undertaken for your conference to be a success, who’s responsibility it is to complete the various tasks, and by when.  You need to understand that if you haven’t worked out who the winners are for your awards night by a week before the event, then the trophies won’t be ready in time.

Source quotes from different suppliers
There are LOTS and LOTS of different suppliers to be used for each conference – from venues to audio visual providers, theming companies, photographers, caterers, trophy suppliers, transport (ground and air), accommodation….  The list goes on and on and on.

Budget
The budget will be an ever changing beast, as you refine what it is that you want to happen.  If your event manager is skilled at this, and if they have a good idea of what you want to happen in the first place, this can be kept in check.  Don’t expect this to be dead-on accurate first go – there are too many variables at play here.  Plus, you’ll probably change your mind about certain things!

Supplier negotiation
Your event manager should be able to negotiate the best deal possible with your suppliers.  An outsourced Event Manager probably uses a many of the same suppliers over and over again for other clients, and so can assure you of not only a good deal, but a quality product or service.

Sponsorship Package Development
Chances are, your conference is going to be at least partially funded by your suppliers.  What are they going to get for their money?

Your event manager needs to develop a sponsorship package, so that everyone knows what’s going on – what’s included in their package, and more specifically, what ISN’T included (no, you can’t hang that enormous banner at the entrance to the venue).

Your event manager needs to make sure that both you and the sponsor adhere to the agreement – and run interference in case anyone is unhappy for whatever reason. 

Speakers requirements
Your event manager will need to liaise with all of your presenters, and make sure that the AV equipment they need is available and that the room will be set up the way they need it to be.  Nothing worse that that presentation that refers to that 3 minute DVD being shown…. but no one thought to organize the DVD player.  That’s ok, you can run it through your laptop….  But there’s no audio organized from your computer, so no one can hear the sound….

Transport & Accommodation
One of the most important logistical aspects of your meeting is going to be Delegate Transport and Accommodation.  Airport transfers need to happen like clockwork, and everyone needs to arrive at the venue in time for you to start your meeting.  Likewise, it needs to work well going home – or it will leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

Lock it all in
Confirm, confirm, confirm.  Your event manager needs to confirm all arrangements and contracts with suppliers, and all details with your delegates.  Delegates need letters which tell them their transport and accommodation details, and their itinerary.  Everyone needs to know what’s going on, for this to run smoothly.

Be there on the day
Your event manager should have by now developed a Bump & Run Sheet, which shows what’s happening at the event minute by minute – he or she should know what’s going on at all times!

If they’ve done their job right, there shouldn’t be anything really for them to do on the day….Crack open the champagne!  You’re there!

After the event
Though you’ll all want to fall in a heap at the end of this, there is a certain amount of tidying up to be done.  Accounts need to be settled, feedback needs to be collated, final reports need to be written.

Before you put all of that paperwork in an archive box, you’ll want to have a de-brief, to discuss what went well, and how you’d change it next year.  All of the stats for the event should be collated, so that things will be simple next year!

Ok, now you can crack open the champagne!

The content had a couple of different streams - one being for owners, and others being for people who worked in the meetings industry. There were a couple of presentations which were a bit off-topic, but overall, I found it really interesting, and I'm really glad I went. PCO's can be so defensive of their clients and how they do things - it was so refreshing to have this kind of atmosphere around it.

I'll be going next year, and I'll be taking some of my staff too.

AND - you can have Natalie Cook helping you and your staff out, if you like! How awesome would that be? An Olympic Gold Medallist in Beach Volleyball, helping you run your company tournament?

But back to the events - corporate team building is good, but I want to throw a party at this place. It's really hard to do an organised beach party on a real beach (the councils get a bit touchy about it) - but you could certainly do it here. Play some Beach Boys music. Get everyone's shoes off. Have a BBQ. Put up some party lighting - some paper lanterns or tiki torches or something like that. It would be a great night.

I'm sure that being at QEII is a bit of a barrier for some people - but it's not really that far. Could probably be faster than trying to get to an inner city venue for a lot of people.

The following is the full interview on party tips:

Organise Conferences & Events for associations, corporates and government.

Project management – lots of meetings, creating project plans, setting budgets, finding venues, designing programs, finding speakers/entertainers, selling tickets, having fun!

Always smiling.

Great atmosphere, great people, good food, good music!

Go with the flow. 

Happens all the time.  You can only do what you can do.  Make the best of it!

For conferences - "Blame it on the Boogie" and "Love Shack" are two tracks guaranteed to get people on the dance floor.

Introducing people, and making them feel comfortable.  We try to do this as much as we can at our Networx events - making sure that everyone has someone to talk to.

Be gracious!  Someone has gone to a lot of effort to arrange this for you....

I tend to use my accent (I'm Canadian) - if I say my last name (Parker) people are guaranteed to ask me where I'm from....

A pet emu.  Roaming.  Free.  Amongst the guests.

Nothing that I'm going to say here.  ;-)

Does everything I wore in the 80s count?

Anything I wore in the 80s.

Depends on the party!

They are all good - I love any party that I'm not organising.  Best Party (Conference Dinner) we've ever done for a client was an 80s night - 400 people in 80s gear - they didn't even take their seats - they went straight for the dancefloor.

I can't stand any party where someone tries to sell you something.

It's no secret - pace yourself.

View the full interview with Jodie Parker in Style Magazine November 2008

On the contrary.

A conference could be what focuses your organisation, and defines where you’re going, and how you’re getting there.  Jodie Parker from Iceberg Events can tell you why.

Everyone works better with a deadline!
The conference can be the time that all those loose ends need to be finished by, so that you can present them to the franchisees with confidence.  Once you’ve booked that venue, and let everyone know, the clock is ticking.  Now, that’s motivation!

Use this to clarify your ideas
Nothing better than the thought of public speaking to help you get things straight in your head.  The Conference is where you can tell your franchisees about your strategic direction, new product lines and your new marketing campaign.  The thought of doing that publicly is enough to help you make a decision.

Give them a reason to get away from their business
Chances are, your franchisees are working hard to make a go of it – they definitely need some distance and some perspective, not to mention the opportunity to talk to a whole lot of people in the same boat as themselves.  They’ll love you for giving them a reason to get away, and helping them plan it.

Reward them for their hard work
This is your opportunity to publicly thank them for all that they do for the organisation.  Let them know that their contribution is valued and essential to the overall success of the brand!  An awards ceremony as part of the event is crucial for morale.

Give them all the same message
You really need all of your franchisees together to communicate and discuss the direction of the brand – so everyone is moving in the same direction.  That consistency is what makes your franchise work!   Now is the time to launch new marketing plans, new strategic directions, new structures to the organisation – so everyone has a chance to digest and discuss.

Get them talking
I’ve said it already, but the value of your franchisees all getting to know each other is so valuable, yet impossible to measure!   Having that support network of others might take some of the pressure off of you, as franchisor, as well.

Have an open forum
All that talking should be with you as franchisor as well.  The opportunity for you to hear what’s going on at the front line can’t be underestimated either.

They can also be great tools for revitalizing your business and your people.  Jodie Parker from Iceberg Events, has some tips for making that Franchisee Conference stress free and cost effective.
 
1. Have a think about what you want to say. 
The meeting needs to be structured to be effective.  Some ideas include:

2. Provide a forum for your franchisees to speak. 
Schedule some time in for this, and make sure everyone knows that this space will be available.  While you don't want mud-slinging in front of the whole organisation, you may find a theme that can be rectified (with a solution provided by your people!)  If you're worried about what they might say - let them know that "General Business" needs to be tabled prior to the event, so you know what's coming, and can be prepared

3. Make time for networking and/or team building.
Some informal networking time will be much appreciated – franchisees can talk to each other, and find out what others do to make their business work.  They may find this to be the most practical part of the event!

4. Have an Awards Ceremony. 
Make sure everyone knows that results are recognised and appreciated.  Benchmarking activities throughout the year can provide the data for your awards night - make it the last night of the conference, and let everyone let their hair down.  Awards ceremonies can be notoriously long winded - keep an eye on the timing for this, so that there's time for fun and chatting as well.
 
5. Get your suppliers involved. 
They need to understand your business to work effectively with you.  They can also help reduce the costs for your event!

6. Work out where the majority of your people are.
- hold the event somewhere close by to minimise airfares and transfer costs.

7. Treat your franchisees like guests. 
As franchisor, you need to be hosting this event.  Franchisees need to take time away from their business to attend this meeting – they need to see it as worth their while.  Some franchisors make attendance at the annual meeting mandatory – wouldn’t it be better if they wanted to be there?

Hobart is definately all about the food. We've been to some awesome places. We started at Meadowbank Winery, where some of our group were lucky enough to take the "How to be a wine snob" course - so they could irritate us for the rest of our stay. ;-)

The outlook and the food was beautiful, and, of course, the wine! I really loved the interesting floor at the winery - it is a work of art in itself, telling the history of the area.

Hobart seems to be all about the local produce, and local artists. Pretty much everywhere we went, they told us how they supported the local community, which I think is great. If I'm going to take a group somewhere, I want them to be experiencing the best of that area.

From there, we had a look at venues such as the Old Woolstore, and the Henry Jones Art Hotel - Henry Jones in particular is so filled with fantastic art, and just being there is a history lesson unto itself.

Dinner that night was on the top floor of the Hotel Grand Chancellor - what a fantastic view!

Breakfast the next morning was entertaining with Phil Harris from Aardvark Adventures. Some very exiting Team Building and Adventure activities to be had in Hobart and around Tassie - what fun we could have! I hope he's reading this!!! Max loved the choccies - thanks.

One of the highlights would have to be the Cascade Brewery. Beer Tasting @ 10.00 am is a bit early for some, but what a fantastic setting, and wasn't my husband jealous. He can't complain though - I brought him home a pick & mix pack of all of his favourites.

Another definate highlight was Lark Distillery. Is there a pattern here? I seem to be overly enjoying the alcohol related sites. Strange. At Lark's we got to try their special Gin (nice G&T to start the night), Whiskey, Whiskey Liqueur (which I was ESPECIALLY partial to), and the Pepperberry Vodka. Nice! I highly recommend that one. The atmosphere in there was awesome - we didn't want to leave, we were having so much fun.

The next morning, we could hang out at Salamanca Markets - which were pretty good. I'm not much of a market person after having been involved with the Spring Hill Fair (I'm a bit marketed-out), but these were nice, and had a great atmosphere.

All of the accommodation that we looked at was considerably less expensive than what you would find on the mainland - so for the cost of a flight to Tassie, you could potentially save your meeting a whole lot of $$.

I'm a big fan of Tassie now. Thanks Claire!

I went to an all-girls school, so you can imagine the difficulty in tracking everyone down. A couple of very clever girls that I went to school with set up a group on Facebook, and at this point, there are 53 people from our year in the group, which is fantastic.

Most of them have gotten married and changed their names. This way, there are photos so we can tell who they are, even if their names fool us.

We had about 130 in our year, and I think we've found about 70 now, which isn't bad, but the vast majority have been found through Facebook. What a fantastic tool! In an age where everyone moves around so much, to be able to keep in touch with people like this is awesome.

I especially love how you can post photos and videos. There is no way I would have the time, or the inclination, to look at my cousin's photos of her trip to Peru - but on Facebook, I can look at them whenever I have time, with her captions and funny comments (and everyone else's too).

Facebook is a fabulous tool for events - getting groups of people together, publicising them before and after. I'll let you know how the reunion goes!

J ;-)

I had the opportunity to go to a Branding Workshop run by DAIS the other day at the Emporium Hotel in Fortitude Valley.

I had a fantastic morning - the workshop was great, and highly inspiring - making me rush back to the office with my notes and commit to doing lots of things that I've been meaning to do for a long time (Jack Perlinski is a great speaker!).

But as well as that, I was able to check out the Emporium Hotel - I haven't had a chance to see it until now.

What a cool space that cocktail bar is! Just the entry is incredible.

As well as that, I am waiting with bated breath for The Limes Hotel, also in the Valley, to open up. Limes will have a very cool roof garden and outdoor cinema (which I became aware of through the Green Roofs Australia Conference which we are currently working on).

It's nice to see some contemporary venues opening up in BrisVegas - we love it!

J ;-)

Brews Brothers, in Woolloongabba, can brew any kind of beer you like (for instance, if you like Corona, they have the recipe for it), bottle it, and label it with whatever you want.

Imagine making that part of your Sponsorship Package - for the Welcome Drinks at your conference or event, for instance.

Sponsorship of the Welcome Drinks doesn't just include signage, and the opportunity to get up and talk for 2 minutes.

You can also be serving beer in bottles branded with your logo - what a great marketing idea!

Now that is a talking point which your sponsor will appreciate!

J ;-)

The way to make it hard is to not be clear about what your sponsors receive for their money. If sponsorship packages are vague initially, it gives the sponsor the ability to push for more as the event comes closer.

When sponsors start pushing for more, you need to be cognisant of what your OTHER sponsors are getting. If the benefits of sponsorship are inconsistant with what they are paying, reletive to each other, you could have a problem on your hands.It's also important to have ONE version of your sponsorship packages - not multiple ones floating around!

Of course, things are going to change as you tweak the packages to suit the sponsor, but if you are consistant in your levels in the first place, it will be easier to negotiate.

How to do this?

Once you have worked out the structure for your meeting, make a list of all of the potential opportunities for sponsors. For instance:

1. Trade show
2. Signage on lectern
3. Morning tea sponsorship
4. Collateral in Satchels.

etc.

Then go through and work out which are going to be the most valuable to sponsors, which should be exclusive, and which you can give to everyone.

Create a tiered structure for the most expensive package down to the budget option.

Then get it out there and talk to your sponsors! Nothing can beat picking up the phone.

Good luck!

J ;)

We've just arrived back from hot and steamy Cairns. Luckily, we weren't in Mackay (which was the original plan)!  This is the second time we've worked with this particular group for their conference, and one of the things which the client wanted to do this year was spend the afternoon playing bowls.

The Edge Hill Bowlie was a great place to go on a Friday afternoon. The heat was intense, but nothing that a beer at each end couldn't cure.

A good day was had by all, aided by the open bar and some yummy cheese and bickies put on by a sponsor. We finished up with a BBQ dinner, and then we piled everyone back on the bus to take them home to the resort, where most of them ended up in the pool until well into the evening!

Bowls is an easy team building idea. Everyone can do it, it's not too strenuous, it facilitates people talking to one another and getting to know each other. They can be competitive if they want, but if they're not, it doesn't matter!

J ;-)

The worst possible thing that you can do on a staff retreat is make everyone work the whole time.

I know that seems contrary to what you are trying to achieve - you're paying all of this money so that everyone can go away and focus - come up with the solutions you need, find the extra effort required!

If you are taking people out of their normal habitat, you need to do some different things too! I've talked about Team Building before - but it doesn't need to be as structured as "activities".  

It could just be giving them the opportunity to have a casual dinner, with their families and colleagues, without talking about work (and believe me, their partners will be happy about that. Maybe even BAN the work conversations from the table).

It could be going to play bowls, or mini golf, or snorkeling (if you happen to be at an island destination).

There is no denying, though, that work needs to be done too.

If you are doing the brainstorming/creative type activities that are often done on retreats, let them wear whatever they like! No one wants to wear work clothes on a Sunday anyway.  Maybe they’ll think more creatively wearing board shorts.

Maybe try to avoid the conference room set up. Can you do the brainstorming thing somewhere comfy?  With Couches?  Or sun beds?

Can you have platters of food for people to pick at, rather than structured breaks?  You don't want the "structure" to get in the way of those creative ideas.

Make sure you have a way to capture all those ideas, too. Be it as simple as butchers paper or whiteboards, or someone in charge of minute-taking, or recording the entire discussion (may need a techie to do that one properly).

I think the best staff retreats are a little bit junket, and a little bit justified.  The balance there is what gives you the best outcomes.

How great is this for a group photo location?

Hamilton Island is a great location for a conference - to take people away just changes everything. This meeting had a lot more laughter as part of it than it ever has in the past - I'm sure that has a lot to do with the fact that you just can't be uptight on a tropical island. I don't think it's possible.

JP entertains some sponsors (or perhaps vice versa?)

 

The rooms have been recently refurbed - so even though generally your conference delegates will be in the Reef Hotel - which is a bit incongruous with the landscape (80s massive high rise in the middle of tropical paradise - but I guess they need that volume of accommodation to provide the conference facilities that they do) - the rooms are really lovely now. Gone is the salmon pink walls and cane furniture of the 80s - lovely white rooms with nice lighting and comfortable balcony furniture!

Still no internet access (except dialup!) in most of the accommodation rooms, which is tricky, but there is wireless access in the foyer, so that's something.

They've re-done the restaurant in the foyer of the Reef Hotel - and put in a really gorgeous pool. We had a casual bbq function there on the Friday night, and the food was fabulous! The delegates and suppliers had a fantastic night.

Some great awards were given out, and much fun was had by all!

Only issues really were a couple of delayed flights - mine was an hour late going there, and three hours delayed coming home. Luckily for us, the flights that the majority of delegates were on were all on schedule.

Also, we had a lady fall over at the loos near the Bougainvillea Marquee - lighting was pretty poor. Apparently they are in the process of building new loos there, so that will be rectified soon.

Anyone else had any experiences on HI? Good or bad - interested in hearing about it.

J ;-)

The State Library also had a couple of River Decks would would seat maybe 40 people for a very classy & exclusive sit down dinner!

I talked about Riverlife in my last blog - wouldn't I love to do more stuff there.

The Brisbane Powerhouse is also a great space - the new deck (which also overlooks the river) is a beautiful spot for pre-function drinks. The grafitti on the walls makes it a bit grungy, and very cool.

We used the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) at Federation Square in Melbourne for the Fury Launch - That's a great spot too. So central, and lots of interactive things for your guests to do (the Pixar Exhibition was on while we were there - wouldn't my son have loved to see that!).

We're always on the lookout for new and exciting venues - let me know if you know of any we should take a look at!

J ;-)

We have a lot of clients who use their conference as an opportunity to get everyone in their organisation working together.  While some may roll their eyes, thinking that team building is a drag – trust me – there are some FABULOUS activities out there.

Take Foot Locker for example – we recently did a 3 hour team building exercise with their Store Managers at Crowne Plaza Royal Pines Resort.  A circuit of activities included Clay Target Shooting, Archery, a group of people balancing a bucket of water on top of a pole, balanced with ropes (you can imagine what happened with that one), a giant A-frame that one team member stood on while their team mates moved it over the finish line… Team Building isn’t all about high ropes courses anymore!

Or a group of IGA stores that we took to the local Bowls Club on a Friday afternoon.  Easy.  Everyone can play.  And a beer at each end ensures that everyone has a good time (within reason of course!)

There are so many different activities you can do – drumming workshops, Aboriginal dot paintings, Scavenger hunts like “The Amazing Race”.  Imagine all of your delegates doing “Survivor” type activities (modified for groups, age and ability) – all wearing “Buffs” for their teams – branded with your company logo?  Fun!  And definitely memorable.

And a photographer while all this is going on can capture enough images of people having fun for you to turn into a scroll at your gala dinner…  What a great end to a great event! 

Many thanks to Ray, Tony and Annette!