TOKYO - Accor has opened Mercure Okinawa Naha, a newly-built hotel located in the city of Naha, Okinawa Prefecture.

HONG KONG - Costa Cruises is assigning a second cruise ship to the region in May 2013. When Costa Victoria is joined by Costa Atlantica then, it will result in combined daily passenger capacity of 5,074.

HONG KONG - Inbound traffic continues to build with the Hong Kong Tourism Board HKTB reporting a year-on-year increase of 15.6 percent in the first quarter of 2012.

BINTAN - A ground breaking ceremony for the Bintan Resorts International Airport was held this week at Busung, Kuala Lobam, a 30-minute drive south-west of the increasingly resort enclave. When completed, it will improve the destinations capabilities as a

Melbourne is now Australias number one city for hosting international meetings, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

The Aurora Festival of Living Music is set to explode across Sydneys western suburbs over nine days from this Friday until Sunday, May 13.

By Edwina Storie The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) kicked off on Monday in all the glitz and glamour that Dubai does so well. In a presentation by Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTMC) that marked the event's opening, DTCM's deputy director of inward m

Winners in the Meetings & Events Australia 2011 Industry Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre on Tuesday night (April 24).

SINGAPORE - Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts has taken over management of the Courtyard by Marriott at Kamala Beach, giving it its first property in Phuket and its first resort property in South-east Asia.

BANGKOK - Sofitel Bangkok Silom has been rebranded Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, while Pullman Pattaya Aisawan is now called the Pullman Pattaya Hotel G.

BERLIN - Organisers of the Retail Real Estate World Summit, held twice a decade, have picked Shanghai as the venue for 2012.

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) has made two new appointments to its corporate sales and industry services team. Tan Lay Teng joins the team as sales manager of corporate and incentive sales team and Jennifer Ong Jan-Ni

SYDNEY - New South Wales (NSW) premier has announced the tender for the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) and will profile alternative venue options during the expected three-year build period.

MACAU - Sands China opened the doors on Sands Cotai Central last week, a three-tower resort housing Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn properties. They join sister Cotai Strip properties in Macau to form an integrated resort city of vast scale.

After upgrades in February, the award-winning Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa has enhanced its conference and incentive offering.

The Hunter Valley showcased its best of the best to a group of influential incentive and conference buyers from New Zealand over the weekend.

Delegates at the Meetings & Events Australia annual conference beginning this weekend in Sydney are being invited to download the custom-made event application for greater interactivity.

Ongoing delays with hotels reopening and without a dedicated convention facility until at least 2017 the Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau is pulling its staff out of Australia and refocusing on domestic and incentive business.

Hamilton Airport Hotel and Conference Centre is enjoying a refreshing change after its new rebranding. Previously known as Hamilton Airport Motor Inn, the subtle name change is in recognition of the hotel standard of services and facilities available at t

Wellington is set to see a spike in its conference bookings after holding a wildly successful famil named Wellington in the Spotlight. While the capitol of cool showed off very un Wellington weather of clear blue skies and sunny days last week a group of

The Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand is reporting disheartening news with slower than expected reopenings a year on from the February 2011 earthquakes.

The announcement on whether the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre will close for up to three years or be a staged development over six years or longer with partial closure is reportedly just days away.

Seventeen professional conference organisers last week experienced the best of the best in Wellington courtesy of the Positively Wellington Tourism Convention Bureau and partners.

SINGAPORE - Marina Bay Sands MBS has launched a Hotel Affiliate Program to form partnerships with online portals. A select group of referral partners will be established to market the Marina Bay Sands experience to co

BANGKOK - Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with Magnolia Finest Corporation Limited to introduce the first Waldorf Astoria hotel in Southeast Asia in two thousand and fifteen.

KUALA LUMPUR - Even as it has put out tenders for representation Down Under, New York City-based Marketing Challenges International MCIntl has been appointed Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau MyCEB as its North America sales and marketing repres

BANGKOK - The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau TCEB has named Mr Thongchai Sidama as acting president, replacing Mr Akapol Sorasuchart who will be leaving at the end of March.

The announcement on whether the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre will close for up to three years or be a staged development over six years or longer with partial closure is reportedly just days away.

Exhibitions and Trade Fairs GM and CEO Jodie Richmond says the Melbourne events fraternity has not let the company down following the announcement Melbourne Event Showcase will be postponed this year. We do not look at it that way Ms Richmond told micene

David Grant is tackling the events industry with renewed vigour after announcing last week he was going solo, and thanking his lucky stars that he never sold out on the four occasions he had the chance.

MELBOURNE - AIME 2012 was a success in numbers, claims organisers Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCVB) and Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), with 3736 visitors pre-registering to attend.

MELBOURNE - Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau senior manager for meetings and incentives says the organisation is sharpening its focus upon Phuket with a Diversity of Destinations sub-campaign.

BEIJING - Beijings bid to be a leading place to convene will shape up in the last quarter of 2012 when it hosts events such as the second EphMRA pharmaceutical market research conference in Asia and the Site International Conference in September.

MELBOURNE - AIME attendees last week were shown a shiny new StarwoodMeetings.com - a website for meeting planners which tries to deliver content for each stage of the meeting planning process.

JAKARTA - The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Mari Elka Pangestu, says Indonesia hopes to attract eight million international visitors in 2012, about five per cent higher than last year. In 2011, Indonesia saw 7, 649

KYOTO - The Kyoto Convention Bureau, which was a part of the Japanese delegation at the recent AIME 2012 in Melbourne, has announced the city will be venue for the final celebration of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention by UNESCO.

By Edwina Storie With the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) just around the corner, there are a few hot topics to be raised during the educational seminars. While you can follow @micenet for live updates or get the entire AIME wrap up in o

By Edwina Storie MEAs Conversation Table last Friday was another heated debate that almost split the audience. Dominic Thurbon and Peter FitzSimons went head to head in The Ivy Sunroom, debating which was more valuable - education or experience.

Around 100 people attended the first of regular industry briefings on the Sydney International Convention Exhibition & Entertainment Precinct redevelopment last Thursday. Attendees heard about the work of Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia (EEA

And more good news; The Incentive Association has announced the appointment of Sue Jackson as its first chairperson. Ms Jackson is the executive chairman of Solterbeck Pty. Ltd., one of Australias leading performance improvement companies.

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) is making it easier for visitors to stay connected introducing free Wi-Fi.

Rutherford Hotel Nelson A Heritage Hotel is to complete a state-of-the-art conference centre extension, adjoining the existing hotel this year.

As environmental practices in business are increasingly valued, The Langham Auckland has been awarded an EarthCheck Gold Level certification, proving its environmental achievements and dedication over the past six years. It is the in the first in the Paci

By Edwina Storie Its all happening over at Air New Zealand with chief executive Rob Fyfe stepping down just after the airline accepted yet another award, this time the title of Airline of the Year in Air Transport Worlds (ATW) Airline Achievement Awards.

Australian digital design and production specialists Digital Pulse has received global accolades for its contribution to the opening ceremony of the 12th Arab Games in Doha in December. Digital Pulse produced the content to complement the emotionally-cha

SINGAPORE - Marina Bay Sands is launching the trial phase of Miracube Auto-Stereoscopic 3D Displays on its premises in an agreement with event organiser, Aonia, who markets and distributes the screens in Singapore.

MELBOURNE - The annual International Congress and Conventions Associations (ICCA) Forum for Young Professionals, which takes place over two days prior to the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne, will make career development advice

BRISBANE - While Chinese around the world take a break to observe lunar new year celebrations this week, Australias leading resort city has declared the market one of its hardest working ones. Its tourism authority projects China will be the number one in

SINGAPORE - Following year-on-year increase in revenues of about 40 per cent on 2010 last year, Langham Hotels and Resorts is bullish on 2012 and the mid-term, saying it expects to have 50 properties within half a decade.

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has revealed visitor arrivals to the destination reached an all-time high in 2011 at 41,921,310, representing an increase of 16.4 per cent year-on-year.

ABU DHABI - Jumeirah at Etihad Towers opened last month on the Arabian Gulf in the Ras Al Akhdar area of Abu Dhabi, which is close to the central business district and ministry compounds. It is the first Jumeirah property to open in the UAEs capital and h

BARCELONA - Pacific World, the Asia-based destination and event management company, declared its intention to go global at the recent EIBTM 2011. It is incorporating the operations of Ultramar (Spain), TravelScotWorld, (Scotland, UK), TUI Hellas Corporate

BANGKOK - The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is lobbying for collaboration from the Foreign Affairs and Commerce Ministries in its bid to host the World Expo 2022 in Ayutthaya, as its proposed 300-million baht extra budget has been rejec

First class chefs are now officially onboard Etihad Airways flights to Sydney, Melbourne, London and Paris, and will be introduced progressively to the airlines other first class destinations by early 2012.

In response to feedback from applicants, the judges and through its annual awards review, MEA has added an optional education question to each of its award categories excluding individuals. The optional education question will be judged as a standalone an

Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch, formerly known as The Marque Christchurch, will be the first of the central city hotels closed following February's quake to re open its doors to guests. The property is on track to re-open on March 1, 2012 just in time for

Auckland recently hosted the 4th annual PCO Association Conference, held from the 4th through to the 6th of December at The Langham Hotel.

Queenstowns official website has had a facelift with a remodelling to enhance the look and usability. After conducting extensive consumer testing the new site now has a strong social media element and new sections for trade, media and the conference and i

As the city slowly approaches the one year mark of the February earthquakes, hotels and venues are preparing to celebrate new beginnings when they reopen in 2012.

The cult guidebook that turned into a global travel bible, Lonely Planet, has put Queenstown on the map for travel trends in the New Year. It recently crowned Southern Lakes as one of the Top 10 destinations to see to in 2012.

Aucklands Waitakere Estate has joined the newlycreated Heritage Boutique Collection with properties including Waterfront Suites Bay of Islands, Sea Spray Suites Bay of Islands, Tuscany Villas Rotorua, and Akaroa Cottages Banks Peninsula in the South Islan

Peppers Parehua Country Estate is the latest property to open in the Peppers New Zealand portfolio, with the venue just one hours drive north of Wellington tailor made to the small corporate meetings market.

The Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) announced that from 2012 it has committed to an ongoing program of research which will measure the ongoing health of the exhibition industry.

Leading Australian destination management company, ID Australia, has relaunched as ID EVENTS AUSTRALIA following the addition of a production team led by Lisa J. Martin.

Melbourne will host the worlds largest medical meeting with an expected 14,000 delegates anticipated at the International AIDS Conference in July 2014. And that number could significantly increase with the 2012 event in Washington expecting around 25,000.

The Korea Tourism Organization is aiming to attract more meetings and incentives by offering accommodation discounts of up to 40 per cent for groups of 100 or more who book in 2012.

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) has won the Meeting Industry Marketing Awards (MIMA) 2011s Best Use of Budget (Bronze) Award for its PlenaryOnCall offering.

The home of Chinas famed terracotta warriors will see another art innovation in The Westin Xian, when the hotel becomes the first among the brand worldwide to have its own museum.

Melia Hotels International will open hotels in Xi'an, China and Danang, Vietnam.

Tourism Australias Dreamtime 2011 concluded last week with more than 70 select international buyers in attendance.

Overnight MICE visitor arrivals to Hong Kong reached a landmark of one million for the first time ever within the first nine months of a year this year. By end September, the figure totalled 1,028,989, a 15 per cent increase over the same period last year

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau TCEB says while recent floods have affected central provinces along the Chao Phraya River, MICE destinations in other regions including Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket and Had Yai have not been affected.

Melbourne is amid a culinary surprise party through Wellingtons pop up restaurant, WLG. Named after the citys airport code, the pop-up restaurant has inhabited Rue de Fleurus in Fitzroy and is giving Melbournians a taste of the coolest little capital in t

In the event equivalent of a model making a garbage bag look good, Orange Group has pulled off an event inside a highway tunnel.

A brand new position servicing the Australian market has been created by Wellington Convention Bureau especially for Andrea Werner. The goal of the Sydney based Australian business development manager position is to increase the value of the Australian C

Prime Minister John Key visited Queenstowns eco friendly tour company, Ziptrek Ecotours, last Friday in a statement for tourism.

Specialty transfer company BLACK ZQN has grown its luxury fleet and teamed up with a number of Queenstown operators to offer a variety of Southern Lakes touring experiences.

Exclusive Events New Zealand is expanding its Auckland based operations following some recent high profile event successes.

A new study by Meetings & Events Australia in conjunction with the University of South Australia into the business event sector is believed to be a world first.

By Lucy Ritchie - Ayers Rock Resort yesterday announced a new partnership with the worlds largest hotel operator Accor, to help take the iconic resort and tourist attraction to new markets as well as boosting employment and development opportunities for

Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter believes the regions international profile will hit new levels as the city builds its promotional momentum towards staging the two thousand and eighteen Commonwealth Games after being given the nod on the weekend.

The decision to cease all flights by Qantas on the weekend caused a shakeup in the business event segment. But despite this, many appear to be behind the Qantas management decision which aimed to stop future industrial disruptions.

Virgin Atlantic recently announced the development of a world first low carbon aviation fuel with just half the carbon footprint of the standard fossil fuel alternative.

SilverNeedle Hospitality, a new integrated management, development and investment hospitality company, launched in Asia end-September, and has acquired Australia based Touraust Corporations Constellation Hotels business.

Far East Hospitality will refurbish and rename its newly acquired Paramount Hotel as East Village Hotel.

The Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus AACVB wants to engage MICE industry organisations across the region with a new membership structure.

TravelRave two thousand and eleven, Singapores week long festival of travel industry events, kicked off yesterday and runs until October twenty third. The two thousand and eleven edition has grown as a comprehensive regional platform with four new events.

Long time industry practitioner Peter Rix received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Event Awards held in October at Allphones Arena at Sydney Olympic Park.

Orchard Hotel Singapore has renovated its Claymore Wing refurbishing its three hundred and thirty one rooms and the Executive Club floors

The Westin Beijing Financial Street has embarked on a Green Room Sustainability Programme to build environment and social considerations into the decisions it makes

Reaching out to forty five top UK buyers and meetings industry professionals the Seoul Tourism Organization organised a road show in Londons Altitude three hundred and sixty on September eight

An Indonesian automotive components manufacturer ADR Group is the winner in Tourism Queenslands Million Dollar Memo featuring AUD1 million dollars worth of Queensland travel incentives

Centara Hotel and Convention Centre Khon Kaen a new development built by Khon Kaen Buri Company Ltd will be Centara Hotels and Resorts first property in the northeastern Thai city known as a university town

Just shy of a year after the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureaus launch in November two thousand and ten plans for change are afoot

La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa has joined the MGallery of memorable and unique hotels by Accor

Following an eight hundred sixty million dollar redevelopment, Star City Casino will relaunch as The Star, with a three thousand square metres extension housing twenty new restaurants, bars and cafes on an open promenade overlooking Sydney Harbour.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau will kick off its China Road Show highlighting luxury beach destinations to attract the Chinese at CIBTM end August

International visitor hits on the Seoul Convention Bureau website saw a significant increase this month when Seoul MICE Alliance partners were featured as part of its online promotion Seoul Sizzling Sweepstakes

According to the Japan Convention Bureau the World Travel and Tourism Council hopes to shine a spotlight on Sendai next year via its four day WTTC Global Summit which more than one thousand delegates are expected to attend

Damage sustained to the Christchurch Convention Centre in the February 22 earthquake has now been confirmed as so extensive that the building will have to be demolished.

By Graeme Kemlo. Adelaide has upped the ante in its quest to draw more business visitors, announcing a plan to aggressively pursue the incentive market.

A study released by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) into the travel and spending habits of visiting convention delegates attending eight conferences in Melbourne has found they spend, on average, $4134 during their stay.

Chief executive of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Leigh Harry, is to leave the centre to take up the position of CEO of Tourism Victoria and Deputy Secretary of Tourism and Aviation, Department of Business and Innovation.

SINGAPORE - Hotels along the Orchard belt are helping Singapore live up to its Garden City moniker. The Mandarin Orchard Singapore was named Singapore Green Hotel at the Singapore Green Hotel Awards organised by the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) while

HONG KONG - Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich has opened, increasing the brand's network to 20 addresses across China.

SHANGHAI -Sun Island will be the venue for a wellness conference from September 22 to 25 this year following the success of its inaugural 2010 Wellness Symposium which attracted 350 wellness enthusiasts, scholars and industry experts.

BRUSSELS - International MICE and destination management consortium, euromic, brought CDM - Creative Destination Management of Thailand into its fold this month. It has been operating programmes into the country for 22 years.

By Pauline Tan SEOUL - News this month that South Korea has won its bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang is the icing on the cake following the three-day Korea MICE Expo (KME) in Seoul

micenet AUSTRALIA magazine and American Express have formed a strategic alliance. American Express Meetings & Events, an extension of American Express Business Travel, has agreed to make micenet magazine available to some of its key meetings and events d

SINGAPORE - IIR Exhibitions managing director, Rosalind Ng, has assumed the role of Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) president, succeeding immediate past president, Edward Liu. IIR is part of the Informa

BANGKOK - Thailands first St Regis hotel has opened along Rajadamri Road. With its location across the road from exclusive Royal Bangkok Sports Club, the location offers rare vistas of green in the city centre.

This years World of Accor kicked off its 11 city series in Hong Kong mid-April, and will end its tour in India staged at New Delhi on November 17 at the Pullman Gurgaon Central, and at the Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach two days earlier. World of Accor will al

BANGKOK - The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has disclosed plans to focus on the highest end of the MICE market following steady growth in the segment.

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia jumped to 28th position in the latest ICCA, International Congress and Convention Association country rankings. The number of meetings hosted grew 24 per cent, from 96 meetings (2009) to 119 meetings (2010). Malaysia retained its p

HONG KONG - The Ngong Ping 360 cable car and theme park will feature legendary Shaolin masters during the Ngong Ping Shaolin Kung Fu Showcase from July 1 to end August. Shaolin-inspired action movies have made the martial art form a global rage, and visit

Investa Property Group (Investa) has appointed Accor to manage the resort component of Kooindah Waters Residential Golf and Spa Resort on the Central Coast.

Queenslands events sector is one winner from the governments state budget released this week, with the government pouring a reported 83 million dolalrs into events funding over the next four years.

A new national convention centre with a capacity to seat 3500 proposed for Auckland will significantly boost New Zealands plans to be a serious player in the international meetings market.

micenet AUSTRALIA magazine and American Express have formed a strategic alliance.

PHUKET - Online travel giant Expedia has listed the Millennium Resort Patong Phuket amongst its top-ranked hotels on its Insiders Select list for 2011.

SINGAPORE - The Suntec Singapore Asias Convention City joint marketing alliance has added two new members - Pico and Pacific World.

BANGKOK - Accor, which signed an agreement with Impact Exhibition Management to introduce a property to one of the Thai capitals largest convention and exhibition centres, opened the Novotel Bangkok Impact in February.

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airshow & Events (SAe) is organising ScreenSingapore next month in June, an international cinema event offering industry players a platform to exchange ideas and showcase their product.

HONG KONG - The Asian Attractions Expo returns to the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from June 5 to 8 next year.

SINGAPORE - Tourism Australia is leading a delegation of 22 representatives, including nine convention bureaux and four hotel groups, to target 400 organisations in Hangzhou, Taipei, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta over this fortnight.

Meetings market confidence is on the rise in the US according to respondents of the IMEX America Index of Optimism poll.

Australian success story Infosalons celebrates 21 years in 2011 after providing services to more than 3500 events in more than 10 countries, and now with six international offices.

Peppers Retreats, Resorts and Hotels has announced a promotional partnership with the top rating television program MasterChef Australia.

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Yacht Show, which is gunning to be Asias first-ever superyacht show, concluded recently with 3000 visitors from around Southeast Asia attending the three-day presentation of the luxury yachting lifestyle.

BEIJING - Gloria Hotels & Resorts says it will expand rapidly under a new ownership structure, with its stable of hotel expected to grow to 70 over the next five years. Over the next two years, it will add 13 new properties.

KUALA LUMPUR ? 3,000 internal audit professionals and governance stakeholders will convene in Kuala Lumpur for the 70th Institute of Internal Auditors International Conference 2011 from July 10 to 13. It is the biggest gathering for audit professionals th

SHANGHAI - Chinese buyers were the objects of desire at IT&CM China 2011, which was held last week from April 13 to 15. Official data listed 10,000 business appointments between 253 international and Chinese MICE suppliers and 344 international and Chines

SINGAPORE, ITB concluded a mere month ago, but April is proving the hot hotel roadshow period in Singapore. Besides Shangri La Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Pan Pacific Hotels Group and Langham Hotels International were among major chains whi

The international Future Convention Cities Initiative (FCCI) announced this week that its first chairperson will be Lyn Lewis-Smith - chief operating officer of Business Events Sydney.

The Sydney-based Sane Event Group has achieved low CO2 100% certification issued by the Carbon Reduction Institute. The company is now able to offer clients options on how to conduct low CO2 or carbon-neutral events in line with its own corporate responsi

Christopher Luxon has been appointed group GM for Air New Zealand and will start the role on May 30, 2011.

Organisers are busy putting together an exciting programme for the annual American Express Queenstown Winter Festival, which kicks off on June 24 to July, 2011.

Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau manager Leonie Ashford said the destination is still open for business and outside of Christchurch CBD there is a host of large scale venues ready for groups.

Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully said government-funded organisers were starting to gear up with promotion of a nation-wide festival of events for visitors, business sector show cases and the NZ 2011 Business Club.

Eventionz director Suz Baker said clients in Australia are increasingly considering Kiwi destinations as the New Zealand dollar becomes more attractive against the Australian dollar. Similarly New Zealand clients are considering destinations further afie

Avanti Events and sister company Pharma Events have joined the MCI Group, headed up in Australia by Ray Shaw.

Nathan Wise, Queenstown's youngest Les Clef d'Or concierge is today heading to Toronto to represent New Zealand at the organisation's World Congress.

In the past month two hotels have rebranded, with Holiday Inn Wellington rebranded a Rydges from March ten, two thousand and eleven and the Heritage Rotorua ceased management on February twenty eight, two thousand and eleven, changing hands to a Holiday I

Earlier this month a group of Australian business events buyers crossed the ditch to get up-close and personal with Rotorua's convention and incentive industry.

Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau manager Leonie Ashford said there's no doubt the February twenty second earthquake has made an impact on key C and I operations, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Just days after confirmation that Christchurch had lost its hosting duties for the Rugby World Cup, Prince William visited the city in an effort to boost moral.

A new report released by the Ministry of Economic Development has shown Australians are still on top of the leader board for MICE arrivals into New Zealand.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has added booking capabilities in Chinese to all of its Starwood-branded websites, including SPG.com. Chinese speakers can use double byte Chinese characters to search for a hotel, make reservations, retrieve booking informatio

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has appointed Jerry Huang as president of Greater China, and Jolyon Bulley as senior vice-president of operations.

Merlin Entertainments Group has officially launched its Madame Tussauds wax museum in Bangkok. Costing five hundred million baht, it is the tenth Madame Tussauds to open worldwide, the third in Asia after Hong Kong and Shanghai, and the first in Southeast

Representatives of all seven city members of the Future Convention City Initiative (FCCI)will convene in Seoul for the first FCCI Action Forum. The newly established alliance is an international cooperative which seeks innovation and further development i

Amway India Leadership Seminar, attended by more than four thousand delegates, will be held in Melbourne next year.

Delegates at the ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) education conference in Singapore last friday were encouraged to consider implementing Strategic Meetings Management Programmes (SMMP) to achieve savings of up to a fifth of their meetings

Galaxy Entertainment Group has announced Galaxy Macau, the newest integrated destination resort in Macau's Cotai entertainment area, will officially open May fifteenth.

The Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau is claiming a world first for using a flashmob to entertain guests at this year's opening event of AIME in Melbourne. But was it really a flashmob?

The Rugby World Cup Christchurch decision is in the hands of the International Rugby Board, who are expected to make a verdict within the next week. This is in conjunction to the release of an extensive report for the government this weekend.

Accor is donating two dollars from every room sold throughout its New Zealand network until March 31 to the Christchurch earthquake appeal.

CINZ CEO Alan Trotter says Christchurch's devastating earth quake has had a ripple effect across the country, with many medium and large sized association conventions relocating, yet not cancelling.

MEETINGS 2011 has been relocated to Rotorua and COnvention Bureau manager Denise Siviter sad while they are looking forward to hosting the event, their heartfelt thoughts are with their industry colleagues and friends in Christchurch.

In the midst of re-building the city, Christchurch has finally received some good news, winning the bid for the 6th Congress on Earthquake Engineering for 2015.

One of New Zealands largest catering companies, Continental, reports that its Christchurch operation is fully operational.

The W Retreat Koh Samui, Southeast Asia's first W, has introuduced a corporate sensory meeting package.

The Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, officially launched late last year, said at AIME it has set its sights set high for 2011, after already reaping the rewards of winning a large scale event for 2013.

Suntec International will help the Adelaide Convention Centre establish a pipeline to the booming Asian events scene through a sales and marketing representation contract. The deal comes just eight months into Suntec's incorporation and is the second it i

The Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau took advantage of a strong turnout of international media and more than 170 international hostes buyers attendind AIME 2011 to announce its augmented reality porduct aimed at the ince

Korea's capital became the first Asian city to host the GCC Days 2011 Seminars, previously held in European cities such as Paris, Berlin, and London, earlier this month.

CEO of Tourism Queensland, Anthony Hayes, is keeping mum about a new major tourism campaign for Queensland that has been delayed for a month due to flooding in Brisbane and cyclone Yasii in TNQ.

The nineteenth AIME exhibition concluded in Melbourne on Wednesday with some exhibitors recording strong business and others less than spectacular results.

The Spire Queenstown has launched its new bar N° 5 Church Lane, which now features chic sophisticated décor with a contemporary twist.

Last lat month The Langham Auckland launched its new dining experience, Eight restaurant, which was named after the eight kitchens that make up the restaurant.

Air New Zealand has welcomed a new era if air travel, with its new aircraft touching down in Auckland last week.

A host of New Zealand operators are getting ready this weekend to cross the ditch for one of the biggest industry exhibitions in the Asia Pacific.

CINZ CEO Alan Trotter said there have been challenges at an international level of a misconception that New Zealand is 'closed for business' during the Rugby World Cup.

Club Med Lindeman Island in the Whitsundays is evacuating 300 guests and staff today as Tourism Whitsundays advises all travellers in the region or those intending to travel there this week to seriously reconsider their plans.

Civic leaders are urging corporate companies, government agencies, and business to bring their 2011 meetings to Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast to help kick-start the local economy.

micenet Australia assistant editor Johanna McKinnon was the only industry media to travel to Brisbane on Tuesday to get a closer look at how the city has recovered from one of the worst floods in the states history.

The Amora Group has launched its hotel brand into New Zealand, rebranding three existing properties in its Asia Pacific portfolio.

The Heritage Auckland has launched a healthy dining concept which is entirely plant based.

Hilton has signed a deal to build two new hotels and resorts in Queenstown.

Rotorua Convention Bureau manager Denise Siviter says the year is looking strong for convention and incentive business.

Air New Zealand has further bonded its trans Tasman alliance by investing in Virgin Blue shares.

PHNOM PENH A total of One Thousand Six Hundred heads of National Tourist Organisations NTOs, tourism ministers, travel supplers from across ASEAN, buyers and media delegates are expected at this weeks ASEN Tourism Forum ATF TRAVEX Travel Exchange Twenty E

SYDNEY AIME has engaged the Saxton Speakers Bureau to present its Ultimate Event Experience for free to delegates as part of its education on February sixteen.

SYDNEY Staging Connections has signed a venue partnership agreement for the provision of inhouse venue and event staging services with the new Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao, taking its venue partnership in China to four.

BRISBANE Floodwater intrusion to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre was limited to car parking and some service areas, with general manager, Robert O'Keeffee anticipating a gradual return to business by the end of this week.

SEOUL Two new high speed rail services have boosted the connectivity of South Koreas capital of Seoul. The come at a time when plans are underway to revitalise the Seoul Station area, which in Twenty Fifteen will see the completion of a new convention cen

DUBAI Jumeirah Group has been appointed by Zabeel Properties, a subsidiary of Zabeel Investments, to manage Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. The new five star hotel, located on the west crescent of Dubais Palm Jumeirah, opened this month.

Floodwater damage to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre was limited to car parking and some service areas, with general manager, Robert O'Keeffe, anticipating a gradual return to business by the end of this week.

Nominations are now being sought for the Miles Clarke Business Events Communication Award, now in its third year.

Last week the Heritage Auckland raised $18,000 at its annual charity night, in conjunction with the summer international tennis tournament hosted at the hotel.

Convention Bureau manager Leonie Ashford says 2011 is becoming a busy year for the Christchurch and Canterbury region, which is welcoming a host of large-scale international C&I groups.

The New Zealand Minister of Transport has approved the much anticipated trans-Tasman alliance between Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue, which followed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's earlier approval.

It is with much sadness that the industry marks the passing of Alan Garner, general manager, business development Vbase who died suddenly on Thursday December 16, 2010.

Late last year Accor announced its plans to have a stronger presence in New Zealand, starting with The Hyatt Auckland, which will be rebranded to the Pullman Hotel from January 20.

Following the debut of its first property in Thailand, 74 room Hansar Samui, in July, the 94-suite Hansar Bangkok will open its doors on January 4, 2011.

Le Méridien Taipei opened early December in Xinyi District, positioning itself as a gathering place for creative guests, with an emphasis on the arts, an inspiring atmosphere, and innovative cuisine.

More than 200 international exhibition industry players are expected to convene in Bangkok for the 2011 UFI Open Seminar being held on February 24 and 25.

The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau recently reported a successful bid for the 7th International AIDS Society HIV Conference in Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention 2013 - the first time the meeting will be held in Asia.

AIME 2011 has an impressive line-up of speakers including Kati Quigley, director of event marketing for the CMG Events team at Microsoft in the US, and founder and CEO of HelmsBriscoe, Roger Helms.

Mildura now has an online conference and business events promotional tool after securing funding from Tourism Victoria

In a partnership to add value to corporates in the travel industry, American Express Business Travel will be distributing 3000 bonus copies of micenet ASIA magazine to its corporate clients in Asia.

Christchurch's Chateau on the Park has unveiled its newest addition, the Linden Leaves Day Spa.

Terrace Downs High Country Resort has launched an art gallery as a way to exhibit works from renowned artists Clark and Ron Esplin.

After being ranked as the 'coolest little capital in the world' by Lonely Planet, Wellington has been touted as the country's favourite in a recent traveller survey.

CityLife Auckland and the Heritage Auckland have been recognised with Qualmark Enviro Gold status.

The Queenstown Auto Extravaganza will be kicking off in full throttle come February 2011, with New Zealand's finest collection of classic, motorsport and performance cars on show.

A study released at EIBTM in Barcelona yesterday reports corporate budgets are expected to grow in 2011, incentive business will improve, and signs are that there will be sustained growth in the meetings sector generally.

Australia's bid to secure the FIFA World Cup in 2022 is just hours away now with the announcement on who will host the event expected direct from Zurich at 2am on Friday morning (December 3).

The allure of South Africa proved irresistible to a group of Australian conference and meeting planners recently when they explored South Africa on a luxury famil trip.

Adventure specialists AJ Hackett Bungy have been recognised in the large business category of the Westpac Queenstown Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

TRENZ will be relocated to the Queenstown Events Centre next year, opening its doors in late May.

Having just celebrated its first birthday, Ziptreck Eco Tours has continued the revelry by being recognised for a Sustainable Business Award at the annual Westpac Queenstown Chamber of Commerce Business Awards last week.

The final countdown is on for Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau which is preparing to impress delegates at the Australian PCO Association Conference in Hobart next month.

Wellington Venues has appointed Glenys Coughlan as CEO and added two venues to its growing portfolio.

SINGAPORE Carlson will increase the number of Radisson hotels in Asia Pacific to over a Hundred by Twenty Fifteen.

BANGKOK Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumit fifteen, is introducing a Make Meetings a Breeze programme when it opens December First, Twenty Ten.

HONG KONG The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Management HML has won the status of Champion in Awards in Energy Saving, Class of Excellence in Awards in Waste Management, and Good Class in Awards in Air Quality.

BANGKOK The Pacific Asia Travel Associations PATA preliminary figures for international visitor arrivals into Asia and the Pacific for the month of August indicate a year on year growth of Ten per cent.

SINGAPORE Leading business personalities from around the world will convene in Singapore at the Fourth World Entrepreneurship Forum WEF next year.

SEOUL Korean capital, Seoul, which hosted the G twenty Summit earlier this month, has been selected to host the Seventy Third SKAL International Congress.

WIT - Web In Travel - the inspiration and mentoring event that started in Singapore - is coming to Melbourne next week November 25.

Toga Hospitalitys Rachel Argaman stepped out from behind her desk and in front of television cameras as the latest CEO to go undercover in the Undercover Boss Australia series aired last night November 15.

Late last month PM John Key officially opened the new Wellington International Airport, which has been dubbed The Rock because of its architectural style.

The unique design of Wellingtons Michael Fowler Centre was recognised last week for an Enduring Architecture award.

Like elite athletes, Auckland is stretching its muscles in preperation for next years Rugby World Cup. And this week the Auckland Convention Bureau gathered a host of operators to look at ways to make the most of this international sporting event.

Air Asia X has chosen New Zealands South Island as its next long haul destination, announcing plans to fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch.

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton flew into Christchurch this week as part of her tour of Australasia.

The number one mobile event application for trade shows and coferences in the United States is now available in Australia, with Melbourne-based Invisage Creative Services becoming the exclusive Australian distributor for Follow Me.

The Executive Assistant Network recently celebrated its 5th anniversary with a stunning gala dinner at Luna Park with more than 265 EAN members, sponsors and friends in attendance.

The inaugural Meeting on the Green industry golf day organised by Tourism Portfolio, micenet AUSTRALIA, and with generous support of Kooindah Waters Residential Golf and Spa Resort and many other sponsors, was regarded by the majority who attended as a re

A joint study carried out by ICCA and IMEX of international associations has found that financial pressures on association events are increasing.

American Express' latest survey predicting price rises in airfares and accommodation in the Asia Pacific in 2011 should prompt business event planners to book their programs early to reduce the impact of the expected increases.

The InterContinental Wellington Hotel has been recognised at the 17th annual World Travel Awards, as New Zealand's leading business hotel.

The Auckland Convention Bureau welcomed nine Australia C and I organisers to the 'city of sails' last weekend, to experience the region's renowned hospitality and product first-hand.

Even though the region has been hit with another earthquake and tremors, this hasn't stopped Christchurch from welcoming the recent release of positive conference figures.

Last week's Wellington Conference and Events Expo attracted a record number of event planners, almost doubling last year's turn-out.

Tim Hunter has joined the helm as CEO for Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism. Mr Hunter will take over the role on December 6, and is currently GM of operations for Tourism NZ and chair of Qualmark.

HONOLULU - Outrigger Enterprises Group is consolidating its Australia and Fiji operations into Asia office located in Phuket, Thailand. Outrigger Enterprises Group president and CEO, David Carey, said: 'We have grown quickly in the few years that..'

SINGAPORE - Starwood Hotels and Resorts has announced the launch of meetings microsites for its Asia-Pacific properties in Shanghai,Bangkok,Beijing,Kuala Lumpur,Sydney and Fiji which include destination-specific details.

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau MyCEB has recently strengthened its team in line with its development as a fully-accountable business-unit. It has a mandate to lead winning bids for Malaysia.

HONG KONG - Hong Kong hosts the DHL Hong Kong 2010 Bledisloe Cup, one of the world rugbys great contests, next weekend when the All Blacks and Wallabies battle at the Hong Kong Stadium.

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Tourism Boards STB inaugural bundled series of travel-related events, marketed under the TravelRave 2010 umbrella, kicks off from today until October 28.

The ever motivated BeChallenged team have ventured further south, opening an office in Melbourne.

Shari Carr has joined the team at Simmer Events and Catering as senior business development manager.

The joint 18th IT and CMA Incentive Travel and Meetings Asia and 13th CTW Corporate Travel World outsold the 2009 editions, with 483 buyers and corporate travel managers from 54 countries, and more than 2300 international delegates in attendance.

micenet Australia magazine and EventConnect.com have been appointed as preferred media partner for the Perth Event Show, to be held at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre on May 6 and 7, 2011.

ICMS Australasia has welcomed Adeline Keh to the fold as director for business development, after working for 12 years internationally in rolss om the C and I industry.

There is no doubt that 2011 will be busy year for venues throughout New Zealand. And it will be no different for Auckland based event experts, The Orange Group, that have had significant bid wins for events during the Rugby World Cup.

Air New Zealand groups development manager for international conferences and incentives, Lynn Simmonds was recognised last week with the CINZ Annual Outstanding Contributors Award.

Christchurch is back on track and is giving visitors to the region an unforgettable experience from the minute they land.

Wellington Conference and Event Expo will open its doors this Wednesday and is promising to be a well attended event.

More than 150 delegates converged in Taupo last week for the Conventions and Incentives New Zeland AGM.

Constellation Hotels was crowned Hotel Chain of the Year at the annual Hotel Motel and Accommodation Association's National Accommodation Awards for Excellence last week.

Last week 190 Sydney meeting and event planners converged on Geogre Street for a chance to tour through Justin Hemmes' Establishment and Ivy dedicated event spaces.

American Express has launched an initiative promoting telepresence technology as a viable option for cost-effective meetings.

Well that's the dream according to Sydney Olympic Park Authority chairman, Michael Knight who says the international event would put Australia back on the map as a global player.

KUALA LUMPUR - Plan your next town hall meeting, annual general meeting, seminar series, signing or graduation ceremony in the award-winning Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre's PlenaryOnCall.

CHIANG MAI - Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai has unveiled the Rachawadee Residence, its new residential-style meetings and events space surrounded by the resort's working rice fields and lush, tropical gardens. The flexible space accomodates different kind

HONG KONG-Langham Hotels International has signed a management agreement for Langham Place, Ningbo Culture Plaza, Ningbo with Ningbo Culture Plaza Investment & Development Company, marking it first move into one of China's strategic second tier cities.

MIAMI-Royal Caribbean International is partnering Chefmakers Cooking Academy to offer Chefmakers at Sea classes taught in the actual galleys of the Liberty of the Seas and beginning in the fall, aboard Freedom of the Seas.

PHUKET - Some 900 delegates of India's largest travel industry association, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), hold their annual conference at Laguna Phuket this weekend (September 24-26).

SHANGHAI - An iconic English Renaissance-style landmark dating back to the Victorian era has been revamped by HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates and re-opened as the Waldorf Astoria On The Bund, Hilton Hotel Corporation's first Waldorf Astoria in Asia.

HONG KONG - Lotte Tour is chartering Costa Classica this month for a sailing from Shanghai to South Korea and Japan. It will be the first and largest Korean group to take a holiday on a Costa cruise ship.

JazzFest is rolling into Queenstown for the Labour long weekend, and is expecting to attract musicians and jazz aficionados from near and far.

Apex Car Rentals Christchurch has committed to a $25 million fleet expansion, in spite of rebuilding after the citys recent earthquake.

Christchurch has cleaned up after the earthquake that rocked the city three weeks ago, and local hoteliers are once again in fine form to welcome corporate groups.

Former Tourism New Zealand CEO George Hickton has been appointed to the board of trustees for the Karori Sanctuary Trust.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association and EarthCheck have teamed together in an initiative to help green its travel and tourism members.

Sydney Showground played host to around 120 executive assistants and meeting planners last week (September 9) in a one day Mastering Events workshop aimed at highlighting some of the venue's facilities as well as providing participants with a few tips and

CINZ accredited conferences in New Zealand will soon offer the option for delegates to support a registered charity.

After eight years, Di Christie will be hanging up her hat as convention bureau manager this month to take on a sales manager role at the Hilton Lake Taupo from September 27.

Sir Richard Branson was left astounded after regulators knocked back an application for joint initiatives with Air New Zealand.

After the 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the city and a week of tremors,Christchurch is still open for business.

Last week Auckland venue The Wharf won a prestigious new business award at the 2010 Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards.

SINGAPORE - Demonstrating the pulling power of star wattage, four categories of tickets to the 2010 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix were sold out last month soon after organisers announced a star-studded entertainment line-up featuring Mariah Carey

HONG KONG - The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has established a regional office in Hong Kong, naming Andrew Lee its executive director for the trade.

SINGAPORE - ITB Asia has attracted more than 25 speakers to address Association Day, a specialist forum on October 20 and 21 dedicated to the association meeting sector in Asia.

PHUKET - Laguna Phuket had unveiled a new waterfront function area - Latitude - launching the purpose-built venue at a business exchange session for 100 MICE buyers and sellers during Connections Plus 2010, organised by the Thailand Convention & Exhibitio

First it was an exhibitor at the CeBIT event who was criticised for using women in nurses uniforms on their stand, and more recently it was Microsoft at its TechEd conference on the Gold Coast that was lambasted for using Meter Maids in a promotion.

Terrace Downs Resort in Canterbury has appointed a new general manger and revealed a new bold plan to increase its international profile.

Andrew Milne has joined the team at Suncourt Hotel & Conference Centre as general manager and has replaced Simon Cox after more than three years at the helm. Mr Cox has remained in Taupo at Baycrest.

The Good Group has become a finalist in five categories of The Remarkables Southern Lakes Hospitality Awards for its Queenstown and Wanaka operations.

Tourism Auckland CEO Graeme Osborne said theres no doubt that the city has the capacity for convention and incentive groups during next years rugby tournament.

Tourism Bay of Plenty will be playing host to the 2011 Inbound Tour Operators Council Conference, winning over bids from Taupo and the Wairarapa.

QUEENSLAND - Chinese visitation to the Gold Coast increased by 15 per cent in 2009, with 106,000 Chinese tourists spending more than A$60 million in the destination.

MUMBAI - The Taj Mahal Palace has re-opened its Palace wing following an extensive restoration project after terrorists stormed its premises two years ago.

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the first NTO to come onboard as a partner in Microsoft's data-sharing platform, Project Nimbus - Asia's first cloud-based information marketplace.

MACAU - The House of Dancing Water, a production costing more than HK$2 billion in a purpose-built venue at the City of Dreams, is set to open its doors to the public on September 17, 2010. Story by Pauline Tan.

OSAKA, HONG KONG - Starwood's top tier St Regis and Marriott International's iconic Ritz-Carlton brands will open in the tallest buildings in Osaka and Hong Kong respectively in coming months.

SINGAPORE - The singapore 2010 Youth Olympics is clocking high scores - some 5000 athletes and officials and nearly 200 media representatives from 204 countries are in attendance and an additional 27,000 spectators and 5000 performers, including children

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and Business Event Sydney's Platform program recently gave those considering putting up their hand to run or bid for a major meeting the opportunity to learn from past successes.

The Perth Convention Bureau has exceeded its targets for securing meetings for the city, delivering more than $93 million worth of business in the 2009-10 financial year.

Briar Nash has joined the Hilton Auckland and Lake Taupo sales team as sales manager for the inbound and wholesale market.

Guests of Australian Luxury tour operator Scenic Tours have rated The Langham Auckland as number one.

Grand Pacific Tours passengers have voted the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands as the best accommodation on the popular 19 day tour for the fourth time.

Vbase recently launched a new loyalty programme targeted at rewarding devoted professional conference organisers and event managers who regularly use the groups venues.

On the back of popular figures from Junes accommodation results Queenstown is celebrating some more after recognition for its annual Winter Festival.

Figures released by the NZ Commercial Accommodation Monitor yesterday showed total guest nights were up almost 15 percent compared to this time last year.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) last week launched a new campaign in Singapore aimed at rebuilding confidence in the MICE sector which has failed to recover from political unrest in early 2010.

The Sarawak Convention Bureau this week announced it had won the right to host the 15th International Peat Congress in 2016, paving the way for more major conference wins in the next 12 months.

BT Publishing Pty Ltd, publishers of micenet ASIA, micenet AUSTRALIA and micenet NEW ZEALAND, is pleased to announce the appointment of Pauline Tan as editor of the revamped micenet ASIA magazine.

Political unrest in Thailand has seen the emergence of tour operators acting like vultures who are seeking excessive hotel rate cuts in the troubled country. And the net effect is damaging to the entire MICE sector, according to some experts.

Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre will be offering a range of promotions later this year to coincide with the reopening of CentralWorld, described as Southeast Asias largest lifestyle and leisure complex.

Shangri-Las 200-room China World Summit Wings situated in Beijings tallest building is set to open next week. The property is reportedly heavily focused on the MICE market.

Star City management today announced a new event centre development that its managing director Sid Vaikunta says will change the landscape of conferencing and events for Sydney.

An exhibition for the Perth events sector has been announced with the first one being held on May 6 and 7 in 2011.

Shadow Minister for Tourism, the Arts, Youth and Sport, Steven Ciobo, has committed $28 million in new money for initiatives to reinvigorate business events tourism in Australia.

Adelaide... an inspiring and innovative destination that brings people together to share in the exceptional! This is the clear promise made by 'Team Adelaide' to a record number of Australian and international buyers who experienced the largest expo and a

The Auckland Convention Bureau is keen to host you for a personalised famil of Auckland to help plan your next event.

Renier Eulink has been appointed general manger of the Holiday Inn City Centre Christchurch.

Travel and Leisure magazine readers voted Huka Lodge as top lodge or resort in Australia New Zealand and the South Pacific in the annual Worlds Best Awards Readers Survey.

Millennium Hotels & Resorts Helen Bambry has moved to Sydney in a new role with the company as sales manager for conferences and incentives Australia.

Air New Zealand GM for Australasia, Bruce Parton thinks allowing airlines to invest in Queenstown Airport will ensure the infrastructure can cater for growing traveller numbers.

The FIFA World Cup created significant benefits for South Africa and the tourism market with the investment in the event leading the way for major programs and infrastructure to support and grow local communities.

Australian company Laservision lit up Marina Bay Sands for its opening event, helping to give the new integrated resort a spectacular look.

A global study by Carlson Wagonlit Travel could result in big savings for those with a clearly defined meetings and events strategy.

ITB Asia 2010 is ramping up its MICE offering, this year holding an inaugural Association Day for association executives.

Destination Marketing Services headed up by Leila Fiedler this month celebrated its 18th year in operation.

The co-located Australian Business Events Expo and RSVP 2010 kick off in Sydney next Thursday, July 22. As well as highlighting plenty of new product, both shows will be running separate talks presented by experts in their fields.

Sydney has won more business events in the financial year of 2009/2010 than ever before, says Business Events Sydney. The bureau has secured 69 events in comparison to a previous record of 47 in 2002/3.

Heritage Hanmer Springs has received an upgraded Qualmark rating to four star plus as well as securing an Enviro Silver accreditation for sustainability practices.

Quentin Briard has been appointed GM for Club Med Australia and New Zealand, replacing Heidi Kunkel who was promoted to GM of Japan and Korea earlier this year.

This year will mark a decade of the Wellington Conference and Events Expo and the show is growing from strength to strength with a host of buyers and exhibitors locked in.

Rotorua will host a significant Australian conference of 350 delegates in August next year thanks to the Events & Venues team following up on a lead gleaned at a conference in August 2009.

At a Tourism Futures conference last week in Brisbane, a survey was released showing a third of the Australian industry is keen to co-operatively market with New Zealand.

Winners have been announced in the BT Publishing e-awards for excellence in events in what was a closely contested battle for first place. The e-awards, now in their third year, are judged independently of BT Publishing and are entirely not for profit.

Just days after signing a landmark agreement which now sees Event Planners Australia part of the international MCI Group, Event Planners chairman Ray Shaw underwent treatment in St Vincents Hospital in Sydney for a cardiac-related issue.

Thousands of event professionals will meet at RSVP Sydney 2010, the premier tradeshow for the events industry, when its doors open in only three weeks, with brand new features, exciting seminar talks and a social media presence.

SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre has been chosen to host the 2010 International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit which kicks off in November.

QT Event Management is working with Theme Queenstown to offer event planners a revolutionary theming product.

Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau manager Leonie Ashford was appointed New Zealand Convention Bureaux chairperson last week. And she is already looking forward to working as a collective to attract more convention and incentive opportunities.

Air New Zealand was sporting a new stand, new premium economy seats and new staff uniforms at this years MEETINGS.

CINZ CEO Alan Trotter revealed at MEETINGS the good news on the development of a national convention centre that he says will take New Zealand as a destination to the next level.

With record numbers of exhibitors and hosted buyers from around the world, the scene was set for another spectacular MEETINGS.

The Adelaide Convention Centre's international standing just got a whole lot bigger after receiving the 2010 Green Supplier Gold Award in Europe.

Some may have said it was a big gamble when Off-Site Connections Event Management set up in China a few years back. But it seems as if the decision is starting to pay dividends with the company currently riding the wave that is the Shanghai World Expo.

Auckland Airport earlier this month was recognised by EarthCheck for its sustainable business practices.

Famous Kiwi Chef Al Brown from acclaimed Logan Brown restaurant in Wellington will be gracing the stag at the Millbrook and Brown show at the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival.

Shotover Canyon Swing managed to raise more than $4000 for the Central Otago chidren with heart conditions with a two week annual fundraiser.

In just 11 sleeps Meetings NZ will be opening its doors for another two day showcase of New Zealands best products and services.

The new state-of-the-art property was officially opened in Christchurch earlier this month by Associate Minister of Tourism, Dr Jonathan Coleman.

Air New Zealand has announced its plans to increase domestic jet capacity from September by more than four per cent, taking main services to more than 750 per week.

Melbourne-based Solution RED has emerged from voluntary administration to the next phase by entering into a Deed of Company Agreement.

With $300,000 in its kitty regional Victoria is set to embark on a campaign to promote conferencing beyond Melbourne's borders.

Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef has embarked on a half million dollar campaign after receiving $265,000 from the Federal Government's tourism stimulus package.

Event Planners Australia has merged with international event management company MCI, which has 43 offices in 21 countries, employing more than 900 staff.

After a $25 million redevelopment, the Rydges Harbourview Auckland has been upgraded from four-star to four-and-a-half star.

Christchurch is now the newest member of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network and will represent New Zealand internationally.

Auckland became the hostest-with-the-mostest last week when seven Australian conference and incentive organisers experienced a four-day Taste of Auckland famil.

Air New Zealand has been named Best Airline at this years 2010 Which Awards. Organised by the UKs top consumer magazine, the awards are independently voted by its readers.

Christchurch has been chosen to host the fourth US NZ Partnership Forum in 2011, which is likely to be attended by US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.

Speaking to miceNZ DIGITAL last week, Tourism Auckland CEO Mr Osborne said if and when a mooted 5000-seat national convention centre did materialise it would mean far more for New Zealand than possibly imagined.

A $20 million four-year Brand Australia program was launched by Minister for Trade Simon Crean at the Sydney Opera House last Friday (May 14) with significant input from the business event sector.

Staging Connections WA GM, Scott Lovett, is returning to the NT to take up the position of director of business tourism with the Northern Territory Convention Bureau.

Theme production house I.D Events has launched in Melbourne, with the company reporting it offers the most detailed, individual and highly developed production pieces and packages available to the events industry.

Qantas has launched new technology enabling domestic mobile check-in.

Winners were announced in MEA's Meetings & Events Industry Awards in Melbourne on April 20 at a glittering ceremony in the Melbourne Convention Centre.

On April 22 Solution RED voluntarily appointed an administrator to manage the financial commitments of the business. Solution RED said this is a proactive measure in order to improve the financial strength of the organisation.

Not since the Bali bombings in 2002 has there been an Australian convention or incentive group in the once idyllic destination... until now.

Former South Sydney Rabbitos chairman Robert Holmes a Court is heading a new body aimed at growing Sydney's brand on the world stage.

Chair of Tourism Sunshine Coast, John Atkin, has dismissed rumours that there has been a decision to close the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau.

Elizabeth Rich found there was plenty of talk in Barcelona about future-proofing the events business.

Fast-growing economies and a rapidly expanding middle class has seen growth in trade and professional associations and a concomitant rise in business events in Asia. Elizabeth Rich talks to two industry bodies and their plans for the future.

The Tasmania Convention Bureau has appointed Stuart Nettlefold as new CEO.

The Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre has been recognised as Queensland's best venue for meetings and business tourism.

Record results of the Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau have seen the organisation awarded in the Meetings and Business Tourism category at the Melbourne Airport 2009 Victorian Tourism Awards.

Following its success in the ACT Division Australian Institute of Project Management Achievement Award, the Canberra Days in the Diocese and World Youth Day project, verve creative recently won the national AIPM Award.

Time to Embrace the Unvirtual

It's all systems go at Sydney Olympic Park with hotels in the precinct recording strong growth.

Organisers of some of Sydney's most recent international conferences shared their tips for success at a special seminar recently, with a good online strategy imperative for success.

A post Olympic slump, exacerbated by the GFC, has seen Beijing presenting what may be a one-off opportunity for event organisers looking to cut a good deal in the capital of the world's future number one economic power.

Expertise Events recently announced plans to launch The Motor Show in 2010, running over five days in February at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre after signing a 10-year agreement with the Motor Traders Association of Queensland.

The World of Accor expo held in Sydney on August 13 and attended by more than 1000 throughout the day culminated in the announcement of the winner of the Peugeot 207, won by Corporate Traveller NSW GM, Philip Wilson.

The Sydney Chapter of the International Special Events Society launched a new marketing campaign: The Gold Standard at its sold out networking event held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in mid-August.