Think Victoria, Think Melbourne at AIME 2003. Sunday, 8th December 2002 Source : AsiaPacific Incentives and Meetings

Fifteen of Melbourne’s leading hotels and venues are joining forces at AIME 2003 to promote Melbourne and Victoria as the best business events destination in Australia and one of the top five in the world.

The Melbourne stand has been coordinated by Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), whose mission is to ensure Melbourne is ‘top of mind’ with visitors to AIME.

“Under the theme, Think Victoria, Think Melbourne, the Melbourne stand will have a larger presence than ever before,” said Mike Williams, MCVB’s General Manager, Sales and Marketing.

“Following the fantastic feedback from participants on our first combined Melbourne stand at AIME 2002, we have been able to increase our space this year and include more city and regional Victorian product,” he said.

“Melbourne has Australia’s most comprehensive event infrastructure, outstanding venues and accommodation to suit every requirement. And, Victoria has some of the most stunning regional hotels and conference facilities to be found in Australia.

“MCVB will be able to advise visitors on everything they need to know about Melbourne and on more than 500 business events products and services. In addition, representatives of our Victorian Meetings and Events Service (VMES), a booking venue service, will be able to assist anyone interested in regional Victoria, with more than 100 venues. And, the Regional Victorian Conference Group (RVCG) is exhibiting close by, so between all of us, there is a wealth of knowledge about Melbourne and Victoria.”

Exhibitors on the Melbourne stand include leading city hotels such as The Park Hyatt, The Grand Hyatt, Sheraton Towers Southgate, The Windsor, Le Meridien at Rialto, Holiday Inn and Melbourne Marriott. Venues include Scienceworks Museum, Immigration Museum, Telstra Dome (formerly Colonial Stadium), Luna Park and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. Regional venues include the Lancemore Group, Albury Wodonga and Lake House.

Albury Wodonga
Albury Wodonga is about to commence a redevelopment plan that will see the creation of a Cultural Precinct, including new facilities and the expansion and upgrading of a number of existing buildings. Part of the master plan includes the upgrade of the Albury Performing Arts and Convention Centre that will increase capacity of the convention facility to 800 people. Albury Wodonga is one of Australia’s most popular regional convention destinations.

Holiday Inn on Flinders
Six pillarless meetings rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows are part of the stylishly refurbished, 200-room Holiday Inn on Flinders Melbourne. Meeting room capacities are up to 50 theatre style, 150 for cocktail and 120 for dinner. Conference Day packages start from as low as $59 per person.

Immigration Museum
For a venue with a difference, take a look at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum, housed in the Old Customs House in the heart of the CBD. Since opening in 1998, this unique setting has become an elegant and dramatic backdrop for functions and events. >From the grandeur of the Long Room and foyers to the contemporary conference and workshops facilities and the striking Festivals Courtyard, the Immigration Museum has the perfect space – indoors or out.

Lake House
Food and wine lovers have been enjoying Lake House for twenty years, but now thanks to a new state-of-the-art Meeting and Event Centre, Lake House can offer conference guests the same indulgences enjoyed by leisure guests. The property boasts six acres of waterfront indulgence with thirty-three rooms and suites, an award winning restaurant, private cellar, demonstration kitchen, tennis court and resort facilities.

Lancemore Group
One of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, Andrew Blake, has recently become Director of Restaurants at Lindenwarrah at Milawa and its sister property, Lindenderry at Red Hill. The two country house hotels offer the finest five star accommodation in their respective regions, and now their food will emulate the elegant surrounds. Both properties are located in Victorian wine regions and Lindenderry also has a new Endota Retreat Spa.

Le Meridien at Rialto
Whether the event is a grand-scale wedding or an intimate corporate luncheon, Le Meridien at Rialto boasts five-star facilities, which are both elegant and stylish. The hotel has a dedicated conference floor comprising three boardrooms, four meeting rooms and state-of-the-art presentation technology. For functions on a grander scale, the Grand Rialto Ballroom is an ideal setting for either business or private events for up to 500 people.

Luna Park
Australia’s oldest amusement park, Melbourne’s Luna Park, has undergone extensive restoration and redevelopment. Luna Park provides a unique venue that will thrill, impress and ensure your guests have some fun. Luna Park can provide team building packages, gala dinners, and all sorts of social functions tailored to suit your needs.

Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
Melbourne’s award winning, purpose built convention and exhibition centre has done it again. The Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC) took home three of the top awards at the Victorian Meetings Industry Association of Australia annual awards in December. In what was a first for the MECC, the Centre won all three categories they entered: Meeting Venue of the Year - over 500 delegates, Meeting of the Year - over 500 delegates and Outstanding Sales and Marketing Person.

Melbourne Marriott Hotel
The new five-star Melbourne Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the CBD. Formerly known as Rockman’s Regency Hotel, the 185-room property has recently undergone a $10 million refurbishment and now has the backing and support of the world-class 2,400 strong Marriott International hotel chain. Melbourne Marriott has four conference rooms, all featuring natural light.

Scienceworks Museum
Scienceworks is Victoria’s leading science and technology museum and an exciting venue for business events. This dynamic, interactive museum encompasses the Melbourne Planetarium and the historic Spotswood Pumping Station. It recently won the 2002 Victorian Tourism award for Significant Tourist Attraction.

Sheraton Towers Southgate
Since opening in 1992, Sheraton Towers Southgate has won numerous awards for its luxury accommodation and excellent service. The 387-room hotel has 15 conference rooms with a total capacity of 810. Natural light, an in house audiovisual department and a function room with marvellous views of the city skyline and Federation Square are just some of the reasons people choose to hold their functions at Sheraton Towers Southgate.

Telstra Dome
Where in Melbourne can up to 7,500 people dine under the stars on a spectacular arena with the guarantee of weather protection from a retractable roof? Or up to 1500 guests dine and dance the night away, or as few as 30 meet in one of 13 seminar rooms? Where else can you overlook one of the most exciting sporting venues in the world? Telstra Dome is the answer. Formerly known as Colonial Stadium, Telstra Dome can deliver endless possibilities: breakfast on the arena, a lavish banquet under the stars, or a summer barbeque of epic proportions.

The Grand Hyatt
Recently voted the 2002 Best Business Hotel in Australia by Business Asia readers, Bloomberg television viewers and hotel guests, The Grand Hyatt Melbourne continues to be recognised as one of Australia’s best hotels. With its newly renovated Grand Club lounge opening in December and a new, light filled function room overlooking Collins Street to be launched in February 2003, this stylish venue is ideal for conferences and corporate events.

The Park Hyatt
The Park Hyatt is recognised as one of Melbourne’s most luxurious hotels, and has a string of awards to prove it. And, its radii restaurant & bar was awarded Three Chefs Hats in The Age 2003 Good Food Guide. In addition, the hotel has a comprehensive range of function rooms including the beautiful Trilogy Bistro and Lounge and adjoining Trilogy Garden, a Ballroom, small function rooms, The Library, The Study and The Regency Club Boardroom.

The Windsor
In 2003, The Windsor – an Oberoi Hotel – will celebrate a milestone few hotels will achieve: its 120th birthday. Built as the ‘Grand Hotel’ in 1883 by shipping magnate George Nipper, The Windsor provides luxury and sophistication of an era gone by. It is also renowned for its modern technological facilities including in-room internet access, fax and modem points in every room and wireless internet connection in the hotel’s foyer and three function rooms.

Visit Melbourne and Victoria on booth # 701 at AIME 2003, the AsiaPacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 18 & 19 February) and discover why Melbourne, Victoria, is the perfect place for your next event.