Last Thursday I was invited on a hard hat tour of the new Gibraltar Hotel Bowral. Located within 90 minutes of Sydney this hotel and conference centre is built within the Gibraltar Country Club with sweeping views over the golf course and Mount Gibraltar as your perfect back drop. The hotel features 76 deluxe rooms (sleeping up to 110 guests) with a roof top Day Spa and a purpose built conference centre that over looks the golf course that can cater for groups of 10 to 300 delegates.  This hotel opening September 2010 is certainly a welcome addition to the Southern Highlands.

A client of mine recently asked me about the Kangaroo Valley Golf & Country Club. This was one venue I didn’t know much about so last weekend I ventured down to Kangaroo Valley to take a look. Wow what a fabulous property. It’s an easy 2 hour drive from Sydney tucked away between the Southern Highlands and the South Coast. The property has a mixture of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom cabins & villas scattered within the most picturesque setting of rolling hills and a Jack Newton designed golf course. The function room, restaurant and bar are all housed in a rustic building with open fire places that gives you the warm welcoming feeling. If you’re looking for a venue for around 40 delegates and want to get away from it all why not give this venue a go. Visit our venue search for more information.

Hayman is developing an exclusive collection of Beachfront Suites which will present new standards in international resort excellence.

Eight absolute beachfront suites on the shores of Australia’s most celebrated private island destination will offer breathtaking uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea and beyond and unsurpassed interior and exterior appointments. Designed by internationally renowned architect, Kerry Hill, each suite will provide 120 square metres of sheer luxury, featuring  superb appointments including a stunning private plunge pool.

Thinking of holding your next conference in Queensland?  Call VMS today.

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

Libby & I were delighted to attend the Dockside Group “Summer of Love Party” on Friday night at Dockside, Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour. What a fabulous venue for a special occasion or corporate event. The room is so open and bright with one of the best outlooks in Sydney overlooking Darling Harbour. We were bopping along to the band whilst the drinks were flowing and were treated to some culinary delights from savoury tit bits to delicious desserts. We unfortunately didn’t win a prize, maybe next time. Thank you to El and his team. Mary-Jane Wardrop

I had a meeting with clients in Albury last thursday who are using the Commercial Club for an upcoming conference for 150 delegates. A great venue with eight breakouts all on one floor. The accommodation for conference delegates will be at the Chifley, Quest Apartments and the Hovell Tree. Looking forward to the conference in July this year. Can certainly recommend the breakfast! Mike Schrafft, Executive Director

We would like to take the opportunity to wish our clients, their delegates, conference venues and suppliers a very merry Christmas and a wonderful 2010. We look forward to meeting you all again safe and invigorated next year. A very big thanks to your support throughout a very difficult 2009. Libby Madden-Schrafft & Staff