MCVB’s 2012/2013 Strategic Business Plan Revealed

The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau’s (MCVB) Chief Executive Officer Karen Bolinger officially launched the organisation’s 2012/2013 Strategic Business Plan at IMEX this week.

The plan, which centres around the organisation’s vision of Melbourne becoming globally recognised as the world’s premier city for business events, also aims to have MCVB acknowledged as a thought-leader, an innovator and driver of significant economic impact to the city, state and country.

Ms Bolinger said the multi-layered strategic plan had been developed in consultation with clients, stakeholders and staff at all levels of the organisation, which has resulted in a comprehensive, cohesive document that clearly sets the direction for the future.

“We have reassessed who we are as an organisation and what we want to achieve, and in-line with this we have worked hard to establish what we are doing well and what we want to do better,” she said.

“Over the last few years the landscape of business events across the globe has changed significantly, with many cities, governments and countries recognising the value of business events beyond delegate numbers and economic impact.

“As the economic and competitive landscape changes, the strategic direction of MCVB needs to move with it and this new plan has been developed to identify how we can remain competitive on a global stage.

“The six strategic projects provide us with a platform on which to build a focussed organisation with a set direction. We’ve got rid of the clutter and in some instances redirected our resources in order to streamline our activities to deliver us better conversion across the board and ensure our clients, stakeholders and staff are all engaged.”

Ms Bolinger added that the MCVB team was looking forward to achieving the goals they had set for themselves.

“Provided these strategic projects are effectively executed, there’s no doubt MCVB and Melbourne will be positioned extremely well for the future,” she said.

(Source: etravelblackboard.com)

Events strong, vibrant: EEAA

The exhibition and events industry remains ‘strong and vibrant’, according to new results unveiled yesterday by the Exhibition & Event Association.

As part of the Group’s inaugural Market Monitor, the non-for-profit organisation found close to one million visitors attended events organising by the EEAA, incorporating 11,278 exhibitors and employing 8000 staff and more than 2000 contractors.

EEAA general manger Joyce DiMascio said despite industry success, there was a need for the NSW Government to take a more holistic view to what was happening in regards to EEAA’s Sydney campaign.

“In contrast to Melbourne, Sydney’s competition is far more global,” she said.

Business continuity was another major component in the key to a healthy and successful exhibition industry.

“There are suppliers in our community, utterly dependent upon our success. We want to minimise the negative impacts on business development,” she added.

The market monitor also revealed 49 percent of all trade events in the second half of 2011 had a paid conference or seminar program attached.

“We need this renewal of opportunities and commercial commitment,” she said.

"The challenge remains in the way exhibitors deliver their product and understanding what’s driving customers to events.”

Safety and professionalism are prevalent priorities occupying EEAA’s focus, with the Group working closely with venues to “continue to build a culture that is centred on safety and safety procedures”.

The EEAA expects the next Market Monitor to be unveiled in six months time.

(Source: etravelblackboard.com)

Melbourne to host World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development in 2014

In an important endorsement of Victoria as a leader in social welfare reform, Melbourne has won the right to host 2000 delegates from around the world at the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development in 2014.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher announced the win for Melbourne today.
“This conference will not only deliver valuable tourism dollars to the state, it will also provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the extensive work undertaken in Victoria in the development of social welfare policy and service delivery,” Ms Asher said.

“This important event for Victoria will attract 2000 delegates and inject an estimated AUD $7.6 million into the state’s economy.”

Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said the conference would be of great benefit to Victoria, which is highly regarded across Australia and internationally in the area of social policy.
“It will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the extensive work undertaken in Australia and more particularly, in Victoria, in the development of social policy, education and service delivery,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“It will also ensure Victorian social workers have the opportunity to learn from their counterparts from across the world.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau Karen Bolinger said the Conference would be jointly hosted by the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) and International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).

“The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau worked with Professor James Angus, the Dean of The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences to secure the Conference for Melbourne in 2014,” Ms Bolinger said.

“Professor Angus is an Ambassador for Club Melbourne, a program of 134 local leaders in academia, science and business who assist in securing business events for Melbourne, and this bid win demonstrates just how important their role is in this process.”

Professor Angus said the conference in Melbourne would facilitate an in-depth investigation of critical world issues.

“These include social protection, the social impact of natural disasters and economic crises, and all the really important health and social concerns that face us as a society,” Professor Angus said.

Peter King, Chief Executive of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre where the event will be hosted, said, “We look forward to welcoming professionals in the important fields of social work and social development to our facility for this four-day conference.”

(Source: etravelblackboard.com)

CLUBS + HOTELS AUSTRALIA 2012 is Fast Approaching

Now managed by one of Australia's leading exhibition and conference organisers, Australian Exhibitions & Conferences, between 19 & 20 June Clubs & Hotels Australia will open its doors to the hospitality and gaming industry.

Over 2 days, visitors will have the unique opportunity to find out all they need to know to satisfy their interests in clubs and hotels from amusement systems to ATM equipment, decor and furnishings to venue design and decoration, plus much more.

With an exhibitor list that continues to grow, the Expo will offer an extensive range of the latest in technology, services and products for anyone involved in hospitality and gaming.

An industry specific series of seminars and workshops have been scheduled that are short, sharp and business focused, aimed at keeping visitors up to date with the industry. Clubs + Hotels Australia is also very excited to announce that Aristocrat has just signed on as lead exhibitor of the event.

Showcasing their 2012 games portfolio including, A Legends Returns, bringing back some classic games with a modern twist, as well as participating in the gaming venue seminar program, the "2012 expo comes at an ideal time for the gaming industry, with the new gaming operational regime coming on line in Victoria in August 2012." says Aristocrat Victorian Sales Manager, Matt McCarroll.

Closely timed with Clubs + Hotels Australia, this highly competitive regulation change and regime will mean that interest in gaming machines and systems, operational management and monitoring systems, venue design and fit out, will all be at its height.

Other exciting exhibitors on show include dedicated training provider for the food, tourism and hospitality industries, William Angliss Institute, along with licensed manufacturer of electronic gaming machines, Complete Gaming Solutions, and returning exhibitor, JBN Sound Ceiling.

Register to visit now and secure your chance to see the industry's biggest players on show at Clubs and Hotels Australia 2012. To read more about the exciting features, seminar program, newly signed exhibitors or to register online, visit www.clubsandhotels.com.au today.

(Source: Accommnews.com.au)

Conference Gets Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for 2012 & 2013

The national tourism industry annual conference, Tourism & Events Excellence, has secured the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the venue for 2012 and 2013.

Tourism industry leaders are reminded to save 16 and 17 July for this year's event.

Staged for the first time in Melbourne in 2011, the TEE conference was a critical forum for the tourism and events industry, featuring an impressive line-up of speakers who presented ways of overcoming challenges despite the tough times. Securing the venue for the next two events is testimony to the success of the TEE national conference.

"The industry continues to confront serious challenges, with the global economic uncertainty, Aussies choosing to holiday overseas and labour shortages. The conference last year put the industry's issues on the political agenda and also generated creative ideas that were very energising for the delegates," says Tony Charters, co-convenor of the event.

"Tourism and events will continue to feel the intense pressure they have had to weather in recent years, making this conference a critical focal point for the year.

"As a leading tourism destination in Australia, Melbourne is the obvious place to base this conference. The MCG and its hospitality partner Epicure is a fine example of everything Melbourne is doing well," says Mr Charters.

"Epicure at the MCG is delighted to be part of the team hosting this prestigious event and we look forward to building on the success of last year," says James Gilham.

(Source: Accommnews.com.au)

World’s Leading Magnetic Resonance Specialists to Convene in Melbourne

More than 5000 clinicians and scientists from over 50 countries around the world specialising in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will convene in Melbourne for the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine’s (ISMRM) 20th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Saturday.

The ISMRM is a world‐wide multidisciplinary society dedicated to the development and application of all aspects of magnetic resonance to medicine and related fields.

The 2012 Annual Meeting will build on the established position as the premier event in its field, providing challenging state‐of‐the‐art programs for both clinical and basic scientists.

“The 2012 ISMRM meeting in Melbourne will see highlights of the most important interactions between physicists, engineers, and physicians that have translated scientific discoveries to patient care,” said Roberta A. Kravitz, ISMRM Executive Director.

This year, under the Program Direction of James G. Pipe, Ph.D., of Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, the ISMRM 20th Annual Meeting & Exhibition will offer a diversified seven-day educational and scientific program. 

A key highlight of the program will be a lecture presented by Dr. Paul Bottomley who was the first physician to perform a localised Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) in a human heart and brain and has authored over 170 peer-reviewed papers.

Karen Bolinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), which won the Meeting for Melbourne, said she, along with her colleagues at the MCEC, were looking forward to welcoming delegates to the city.

“Melbourne has so much to offer delegates visiting for a business event and we certainly hope those attending the ISMRM 20th Annual Meeting & Exhibition will take full advantage of their spare time to explore the city’s intricate laneways and dining hotspots.

“Holding an event of this calibre in Melbourne reaffirms the city’s reputation as a centre of excellence for research and development in the medical, science, business and financial industries.”

New Dates Announced for AIME 2013

Organisers of the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME), Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), have announced new show dates for AIME 2013, which will now take place on the 26 and 27 February 2013.

Previously announced March 2013 dates have been revised as exhibition space at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) became available in February when the show is usually held.

Sally de Swart, RTE's Director for AIME, said the change of dates has been well received following collaboration with key buyers.

"February best suits the industry diary and allows AIME to remain the first meetings and incentives event on the year's calendar, so we're really happy with the revised dates for the 2013 show," Ms de Swart said.

Karen Bolinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), which owns AIME, said she was pleased that space had opened up at the MCEC.

"Over the last two decades, AIME has traditionally been held in February, so we are delighted that the revised dates will ensure the show is consistent with previous years," Ms Bolinger said.

AIME 2013 will bring together exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and visitors from the meetings and incentives industry from around the world to network and do business over the two-day event.

AIME organisers are now taking bookings for exhibitor space, with 50 per cent of the floor space already committed for 2013.  Exhibitors are urged to secure their space early to ensure they do not miss out by contacting Stephanie Rowen, Sales Manager on +61 2 9422 2470 or via email  stephanie.rowen@reedexhibitions.com.au.

For more information on AIME 2013 visit www.aime.com.au.