VMS Event & Conference Logistics participated in this years EAN Expo at Luna Park. The event attracted over 140 PA’s & EA’s to the two day conference and exhibition with another 100 or so visiting the exhibition outside the dedicated break times. We enjoyed the best spot in the Crystal Palace at booth 11 which looked straight across the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House & city. Just glorious!! The PA’s & EA’s were from a number of sectors that include, finance, banking, manufacturing and pharmaceutical, just to name a few. They were extremely professional and very openly discussed their event and conference needs with our team. We certainly look forward to assisting them with their event & conference needs. To view photo’s http://bit.ly/aYw2Lq Mary-Jane Wardrop, Director of Sales 

Whilst in Melbourne during AIME I stayed at the Mantra on Russell. This is a 221 all suite hotel offering one and two bedroom apartments. We stayed in a two bedroom which was ideal to put our feet up & relax after a crazy day at AIME. After a fabulous sleep in their huge king size beds we enjoyed a delicious breakfast in Up One Restaurant located next to the hotel conference rooms on the first floor. The hotel is in an ideal location being right in the heart of Melbourne’s China Town, two blocks from stylish Collins Street and a stones throw from Victoria Markets (for those with time to shop) and a minutes walk to the famous Lygon Street, offering an abundance of fabulous restaurants. Thank you Mantra Group. Mary-Jane Wardrop, Director of Sales

MJ & I ventured down to Melbourne this week to attend the 18^th Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Industry Expo (AIME) 2010.  AIME is held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and attracts the most influential buyers and sellers from Australia, Asia & the Pacific.  The exhibition attracts all the big & not so big names in the C&I business. The emphasis is on the domestic conference and event market with representation from most hotel companies, Hilton, Accor, Mirvac, IHG, Mantra Group, Hyatt and Starwood just to name a few.  Many regions pooled their resources to getter bang for their buck which I am sure has been a success for them. Sydney and surrounds were represented by venues such as The Dockside Group, Doltone House, Luna Park, the Opera House and much more. It was extremely encouraging to hear the positive vibe speaking with both buyers and sellers. Bring on 2010. Libby Madden-Schrafft, Managing Director

Last week I had the opportunity to fly from Sydney to Rotorua (direct) on Air NZ. Great inflight service with a spectacular flight path over Hamilton (Waikato) to approach Rotorua from the east of the forests of Bay of Plenty with a beautiful Lake Rotorua on your right with Rotorua directly in front. A smooth landing followed by quick clearance through Customs.

Rotorua is truly the gateway to Maori culture, mud pools and the fabulous Bay of Plenty and Taupo area less than an hour away in the south & an hour east to the Tauranga/Mt Maunganui beach areas. In between is Te Puke, the Kiwi Fruit centre of NZ (must confess I was born in the area).

While in Tauranga we had a cruise ship arrive and I took my usual odessey of circling Mt Maunganui as part of a home ritual. The area throughout is strikingly beautiful; the beaches, green undulating farmland (Kiwi fruit, mixed dairy & sheep farms), the magnificant Lake Rotorua (& contributory lakes) and Lake Taupo (the head of the Waikato River) along with the majestic Mount Ruapehu & Tongariro. The scenery is certainly breathtaking.

However, from a conferencing perspective the Kiwis like their outdoor activities and there is something for everyone; fishing for trout, jetboating, bungy jumping, white water rafting, parasailing, tandem jumps, mud pools, perhaps a tat… and of course enjoying the company of the locals at the local or take in a game of rugby (not the soft stuff on TV) but one played with passion!

All within 3hrs 15mins from Sydney! Mike Schrafft