Travel, Tourism & Events

Bond academics develop the ‘unconference’

EXTRA >>

TWO Bond University academics have devised a radical technology-augmented conference format – dubbed the ‘unconference’ – that is being picked up around the world.

After successfully adapting a radical tech-based conference format to the field of management education in 2013, assistant professor George Hrivnak and professor Amy Kenworthy from Bond’s Faculty of Business recently hosted the 2014 Research in Management Learning and Education (RMLE) Unconference at the prestigious Copenhagen Business School in Denmark. 

Professors Hrivnak and Kenworthy partnered with the editors of four international management education journals to run the event which attracted submissions from 52 academics representing 26 universities located across four continents. 

“The ‘unconference’ format originally evolved from Silicon Valley computer industry gatherings where, rather than having a keynote speaker and invited presenters, the attendees themselves would set their own agenda and contribute equally to the discussions and debates,” Dr Hrivnak said.

“The concept is based on a premise put forward by entrepreneur Dave Winer that, at traditional conferences, the sum of the expertise of the people in the audience is greater than the sum of the expertise of the people on stage.

“In 2013, we decided to adapt the idea for professionals and academics working in management education. Rather than having a fixed agenda and planned presentations, we invited people to submit documents capturing their pressing, and yet unanswered, research questions, ideas and concerns about issues relating to the business of management education.

“We then use these as catalyst ‘prompts’ for group discussions at the Unconference.” 

The 2013 unconference proved so successful that the 2014 event attracted partnerships with the editors-in-chief of the Journal of Management Education, Management Learning, the Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education and the Academy of Management Learning and Education – collectively regarded as the ‘top four’ international management education journals.

“Even more overwhelming than the geographic diversity of the participants and domain diversity of the submissions we received this year was the sustained enthusiasm and passion shown by all throughout the event,” Dr Kenworthy said.

“The collaborative, engagement-based format of the 2014 RMLE Unconference created an inspirational, organic and participant-driven environment.

“We received so much positive feedback commenting on the ‘positive energy’ and ‘how new ideas benefit from being tossed around within a community of scholars’ as well as how the format encouraged ‘ideas, groupings and potential projects to spring-up seemingly spontaneously’.

“Most importantly, the event produced tangible outcomes by creating research networks, and laying the foundation for specific follow-up initiatives and academic outcomes.”

“We now have requests from institutional partners around the world to host our unconferences. Our 2015 RMLE unconference will be held in partnership with the Eastern Academy of Management International (EAM-I) in Lima, Peru, June 21-25 and the 2016 RMLE Unconference will be held in Fontainebleau, France in partnership with one of the world’s largest and leading business schools, INSEAD.”

www.bond.du.au

 

ends

 

Qld’s $23 billion tourism industry hails its top performers

THERE were a total of 189 Queensland Tourism Award nominations across 32 award categories from throughout the state. From that exceptional list 30 Gold, 28 Silver, 22 Bronze, two individual awards for outstanding achievement and one Commendation were awarded and applauded.

Queensland’s $23 billion tourism industry paid tribute to its dedicated individuals and successful businesses at a ceremony for the 30th annual Queensland Tourism Awards  at Brisbane’s Royal International Convention Centre on November 28, presented by Queensland Airports Limited partnering Tourism and Events Queensland.

The 30th anniversary celebrations, hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), provided an opportunity to reflect on Queensland’s colourful tourism past and pay tribute to the dedicated pioneers who have shaped and transformed the industry.

Individual Queensland Tourism Awards were presented to Peter Gash from Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, who won the Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual; Bradley Illich from NewBook eManagement Technology, who won the Young Achievers Award; and Rebecca Holmes from Mackay Tourism who was commended for the Young Achievers Award.

Hall of Fame inductees were Brisbane’s Emporium Hotel for Luxury Accommodation and Gold Coast’s Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat  in the category of Health and Wellbeing Tourism, having both won gold awards in their selected category for three consecutive years. 

Dreamworld won gold again in the Major Tourism Attractions category, with Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach silver and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway near Cairns taking bronze.

In the general Tourist Attractions categories, Capricorn Caves near Rockhampton took gold, Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours near Cairns silver and The Workshops Rail Museum at Ipswich bronze.

The prestigious Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism was taken out by the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort on the Fraser Coast, while True Blue Sailing on the Whitsundays won silver and bronze went to Sea World Whale Watch on the Gold Coast.

Indigenous Tourism saw two companies acclaimed this year, both from Tropical North Queensland, with the Mossman Gorge Centre taking gold and UMI Arts silver.

In Business Tourism there were also only two awardees this year, with Cairns Convention Centre winning gold and Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre silver.

Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism took out gold in the Richard Power Destination Marketing Award, with Southern Queensland Country Tourism silver and bronze going to Townsville Enterprise Limited.

There was some real innovation evident in the New Tourism Development category. Gold went to the Childers Eco-Lodge near Bundaberg and silver went to the Nightfall Wilderness Camp operating on the Gold Coast. Tropical North Queensland’s Sailaway Reef & Island Tours aboard the Sailaway V won bronze.

There was only one award given for excellence in Sustainable Tourism and it was won by boutique Reef scuba tour operator Passions of Paradise, based out of Cairns.

Local Governments singled out for acclaim were gold medallist Cairns Regional Council, with Moreton Bay Regional Council taking silver and Sunshine Coast Council bronze.

Belmondos Organic Market on the Sunshine Coast was singled out for gold acclaim in the Excellence in Food Tourism category, while Bushtucker Experiences by Indigiscapes at the Redland Indigiscapes Centre near Capalaba impressed the judges for silver and Maleny Cheese Café in the Sunshine Coast hinterland took bronze.

“The Queensland Tourism Awards give businesses and individuals an opportunity to take pride in their contributions to the industry, raise the standard of quality tourism experiences throughout the state and strive for ongoing improvements to achieve our tourism goals,” said QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind. He commended all winners and entrants in the 2014 Queensland Tourism Awards for their commitment to growing and improving Queensland’s tourism and travel experiences.

“Since 1985, the Queensland Tourism Awards have served to highlight tourism’s powerful role in driving Queensland’s economic and community development,” Mr Gschwind said. “Tourism has been through its fair share of challenges, yet the industry’s commitment and passion has helped it remain resilient and strong – this is what has made Queensland tourism what it is today.

“Today, the industry employs more than 235,000 Queenslanders and is the second largest export earner for this state.  Much of the credit for this success goes to the innovative businesses that have been recognised through the awards.

Sponsor Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) managing director Dennis Chant said celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Queensland Tourism Awards was a momentous occasion.

“During the past 30 years, the Queensland Tourism Awards have successfully recognised the excellence in tourism products throughout the state and celebrated our industry’s impressive growth over the past 30 years,” Mr Chant said.

“QAL has enjoyed an eight year association with the event as the presenting partner and each year we continue to be inspired by the dedication and excellence of the many tourism operators throughout the state.

“We congratulate tonight’s winners and entrants on their outstanding contributions, and acknowledge all those involved, both past and present, in making the Queensland Tourism Awards such an outstanding event over the last three decades.”

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the Queensland Tourism Awards were a benchmark for industry excellence.

“On behalf of the Queensland Government I would like to commend all of the award winners as well as the Queensland Tourism Industry Council for their dedication to the future prosperity of the industry,” Ms Stuckey said. “Operators who strive to find something extra, and give tourists an experience they will never forget, should be congratulated.

“The Newman Government recognises tourism as one of the four pillars of the economy and we have moved quickly to restore confidence and boost visitation across the state.”

The Queensland Tourism Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts who volunteer their time to assess written submissions and travel throughout Queensland to experience the amenities and services of nominated businesses. Gold winners from business categories in the 2014 Queensland Tourism Awards will gain automatic entry into the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in April 2015 in Adelaide.

Queensland was well represented at the 2013 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, winning a total of 11 national industry accolades including four gold awards.

www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au

 

2014 QUEENSLAND TOURISM AWARDS - WINNERS LIST

Category and Award Level

 

Name

Region

1 Major Tourist Attractions

Gold

Dreamworld

Gold Coast

Silver

Qantas Founders Museum

Outback

Bronze

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Tropical North Queensland

 

2 Tourist Attractions

Gold

Capricorn Caves

Capricorn

Silver

Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours

Tropical North Queensland

Bronze

The Workshops Rail Museum

Brisbane

 

3 Major Festivals and Events

Gold

Woodford Folk Festival

Brisbane

Silver

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art

Cai Guo-Qiang: Falling Back to Earth

Brisbane

Bronze

Cooly Rocks On

Gold Coast

 

4 Festivals and Events

Gold

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Southern Queensland Country

Silver

Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo

Outback

Bronze

Cairns Amateurs

Tropical North Queensland

 

5 The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism

Gold

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Fraser Coast

Silver

True Blue Sailing

Whitsundays

Bronze

Sea World Whale Watch

Gold Coast

 

6 Heritage and Cultural Tourism

Gold

The Workshops Rail Museum

Brisbane

Silver

Fun Over Fifty

Brisbane

Bronze

Museum of Brisbane

Brisbane

 

7 Indigenous Tourism

Gold

Mossman Gorge Centre

Tropical North Queensland

Silver

UMI Arts

Tropical North Queensland

 

8 Specialised Tourism Services

Gold

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Tropical North Queensland

Silver

Gateway Media Group

Tropical North Queensland

Bronze

Airlie Day Spa

Whitsundays

 

9 Visitor Information and Services

Gold

Ipswich Visitor Information Centre

Brisbane

Silver

Glasshouse Mountains Visitor and Interpretive Centre

Sunshine Coast

Bronze

Mackay Visitor Information Centre

Mackay

 

10 Business Tourism

Gold

Cairns Convention Centre

Tropical North Queensland

Silver

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Brisbane

 

11 Major Tour and/or Transport Operators

Gold

Cruise Whitsundays

Whitsundays

Silver

Quicksilver Group

Tropical North Queensland

Bronze

Queensland Rail Travel - Spirit of Queensland

Brisbane

 

12 Tour and/or Transport Operators

Gold

Fun Over Fifty

Brisbane

Silver

Adels Grove Camping Park

Outback

Bronze

Billy Tea Safaris

Tropical North Queensland

 

13 Adventure Tourism

Gold

Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours

Tropical North Queensland

Silver

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

Tropical North Queensland

Bronze

Whitsunday Jetski Tours

Whitsundays

 

 

14 The Richard Power Award for Destination Marketing

Gold

Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism

 2013/2014 ‘Bundaberg Turtle Campaign’

Bundaberg

Silver

Southern Queensland Country Tourism

2014 Autumn Campaign

Southern Queensland Country

Bronze

Townsville Enterprise Limited

‘Tourism is Everyone's Business’

Townsville

 

15 Tourism Education and Training

Gold

TAFE Queensland Brisbane

Brisbane

Silver

Tourism Noosa - Welcome to Noosa

Sunshine Coast

Bronze

Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre

Whitsundays

 

16 Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services

Gold

Noosa Boathouse

Sunshine Coast

Silver

Qantas Founders Museum - McGinness' Restaurant

Outback

Bronze

Ochre Restaurant & Catering

Tropical North Queensland

 

17 Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries

Gold

XXXX Brewery

Brisbane

 

18 Tourist and Caravan Parks

Gold

Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

Tropical North Queensland

Silver

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort

Whitsundays

Bronze

Straddie Camping

Brisbane

 

19 Backpacker Accommodation

Gold

Cairns Central YHA

Tropical North Queensland

Silver

Magnums Backpackers

Whitsundays

 

20 Hosted Accommodation

Gold

Bli Bli House

Sunshine Coast

Silver

Mt. Quincan Crater Retreat

Tropical North Queensland

Bronze

Pethers Rainforest Retreat

Gold Coast

 

21 Unique Accommodation

Gold

Cruise Whitsundays - Reefsleep

Whitsundays

Silver

Adels Grove Camping Park

Outback

Bronze

Whitsunday Escape

Whitsundays

 

22 Standard Accommodation

Gold

Maroochy River Resort & Bungalows

Sunshine Coast

Silver

Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge

Fraser Coast

 

23 Deluxe Accommodation

Gold

RACV Noosa Resort

Sunshine Coast

Silver

Daydream Island Resort and Spa

Whitsundays

Bronze

Rumba Beach Resort

Sunshine Coast

 

24 Luxury Accommodation

Gold and Hall of Fame Entrant

Emporium Hotel

Brisbane

Silver

Pullman Reef Hotel Casino

Tropical North Queensland

 

25 New Tourism Development

Gold

Childers Eco-Lodge

Bundaberg

Silver

nightfall wilderness camp

Gold Coast

Bronze

Sailaway Reef & Island Tours - Sailaway V

Tropical North

 

26 Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism

Gold

Passions of Paradise

Tropical North Queensland

       

 

 

27 Local Government Award for Tourism

Gold

Cairns Regional Council

Tropical North Queensland

Silver

Moreton Bay Regional Council

Brisbane

Bronze

Sunshine Coast Council

Sunshine Coast

 

28 Excellence in Food Tourism

Gold

Belmondos Organic Market

Sunshine Coast

Silver

Bushtucker Experiences by Indigiscapes -

Redlands IndigiScapes Centre

Brisbane

Bronze

Maleny Cheese Café

Sunshine Coast

 

29 Health and Well-being Tourism

Gold and Hall of Fame Entrant

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

Gold Coast

Silver

Airlie Day Spa

Whitsundays

 

30 Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group

Gold

Reef HQ Volunteers Association

Townsville

Silver

Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre Volunteers

Tropical North Queensland

Bronze

Moreton Bay Region Visitor Information Centre Network Volunteers

Brisbane

 

31 Young Achievers Award

Winner

Bradley Illich

Director, NewBook eManagement Technology

 Gold Coast

Commendation

Rebecca Holmes

Visitor Information Centre Coordinator, Mackay Tourism

 Mackay

 

32 The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

Winner

Peter Gash

Managing Director, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

 Fraser Coast

 

Hall of Fame Inductees (Three-time ‘Gold’ Queensland Tourism Award recipient for same category)

Luxury Accommodation

Emporium Hotel

Brisbane

Health and Wellbeing Tourism

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

Gold Coast

 

Awards tally by region

Brackets: relevant Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO)

Number of 2014 Awards received by region

Brisbane (Brisbane Marketing)

17

Bundaberg (Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism)

2

Capricorn (Capricorn Enterprise)

1

Fraser Coast (Fraser Coast Opportunities)

3

Gold Coast (Gold Coast Tourism)

7

Mackay (Mackay Tourism)

1 Award & 1 Commendation

Outback Queensland (Outback Queensland Tourism Association)

5

Southern Queensland Country (Southern Queensland Country Tourism)

2

Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast Destination Limited)

10

Townsville (Townsville Enterprise Limited)

2

Tropical North Queensland (Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

21

Whitsundays (Tourism Whitsundays)

11

 

ends

G20 social media delivers Queensland to the world

QUEENSLAND’s peak tourism industry body believes the G20 Leaders Summit and surrounding activities will deliver worldwide exposure for Queensland to a level virtually impossible to achieve through traditional advertising campaigns.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) believes potential social media coverage about Queensland and other Australian states, broadcast to a global audience through the internet, will bring invaluable publicity and a positive state-wide exposure. 

QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said almost 155 million people from around the world were directly following the social media pages of the G20 leaders and leaders from six attending guest countries.

“This week’s G20 Leaders Summit hosted by Brisbane (November 14-16) presented a critical opportunity for Queensland to show itself off to the world and capture the attention of a global audience,” Mr Gschwind said.

“The ears and eyes of the world will be focused on Queensland. Collectively, our G20 visitors will act as a giant megaphone to broadcast their opinions about Brisbane and Queensland in general.

“We’re encouraging social media users to include #WelcomeToQueensland to demonstrate our warm hospitality and share our Queensland pride with the world.

“In addition to these 155 million followers, there will be 4,000 delegates and 3,000 media sharing their comments, photos and video about Queensland with the rest of the world through social media.”

Mr Gschwind said Queensland was well-equipped to make the most of the brightly shining G20 spotlight, having previously hosted large-scale global events such as Expo ’88 and the 1982 Commonwealth Games. 

“Many of the visiting leaders will be visiting Queensland for the first time and some will travel to other Australian states during their visit to the country,” he said.

“We all know first impressions can make or break a person’s travel experience and it’s critical that Queensland leaves a positive lasting impression on our international guests.”

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey said hosting the G20 in Queensland would generate global exposure for Brisbane as well as Queensland’s regional tourism destinations.

“Increased media interest will produce long-term economic benefits for Queensland as people across the world learn of its appeal as a business, study and leisure destination,” Ms Stuckey said.

“Hosting the G20 bolsters recognition of Queensland’s international expertise in attracting, planning and staging world events.”

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington said the Brisbane Marketing Global Café, a G20 world-first supported by Tourism and Events Queensland, will explore important issues including the emerging frontiers of tourism.

“The Brisbane Global Café presents a significant opportunity for Brisbane to lead the global discussion on a number of topics including the way ahead for tourism,” Ms Coddington said.

Tourism in Queensland contributes $23 billion in expenditure to the economy and employs 241,000 people.

Mr Gschwind said QTIC acts as ‘the voice of tourism’ while operating as a private sector, membership-based organisation representing the interests of the tourism and hospitality industry across Queensland.

www.g20.org

www.qtic.com.au

 

ends

Virgin and Singapore frequent flyers can interchange points

VIRGIN Australian and Singapore Airlines are now allowing members of Velocity Frequent Flyer and KrisFlyer to convert their ‘miles’ and ‘points’ between both programs for the first time and receive innovative new benefits.

Singapore Airlines holds a stake of about 22 percent in Virgin Australia and this is a step up in the operating alliance, which began in 2011. 

The new conversion link-up, which is exclusive to the two airline loyalty programs, will give members greater access to upgrades and reward seats across the combined domestic and international network of Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines. By converting their miles, KrisFlyer members will also be able to benefit from Velocity’s range of non-flight redemption rewards.

The new conversion capability will be available to members of both programs from November as well as an improved online booking capability for Velocity Frequent Flyers to redeem flights on Singapore Airlines and subsidiary SilkAir.

A range of program enhancements have also been introduced to both KrisFlyer and Velocity members over the last 12 months.

These include redemption across all classes of travel on Virgin Australia with the inclusion of premium economy and the ability to earn ‘status credits’ on domestic, trans-Tasman and Pacific Islands codeshare flights operated by Virgin Australia for KrisFlyer member.

There is also a reduction in the Velocity Points required for ‘reward seats’ on Singapore Airlines and the ability to earn points on all fare classes with Singapore Airlines and SilkAir for Velocity Frequent Flyer members.

Singapore Airlines executive vice president commercial, Mak Swee Wah said,  “We are always looking for new ways to serve our customers better and the alliance with Virgin Australia enables us to offer a first-rate integrated travel experience across Australia.

“This latest enhancement will increase the benefits to KrisFlyer members, providing more value to miles accrued when travelling on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir with a wider range of redemption options.”
Velocity Frequent Flyer chief executive officer, Neil Thompson said, “As we build and strengthen our alliance partnership with Singapore Airlines, we will continue to look for opportunities to leverage their strong international network to the benefit of our most valued customers.

“We have built a transformational loyalty business with a membership base of more than 4.5 million and this unique innovation is part of our strategic plan to fast track the program’s growth in becoming a world-leading loyalty program.

“Enhancing reciprocal reward and recognition for our most frequent flyers will enable us to deliver them even greater benefits when flying domestically and internationally across our combined networks,” Mr Thompson said.
He said the Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia alliance provided more choice for domestic and international air travel to and from Australia, with attractive and seamless travel options connecting 45 destinations in Virgin Australia’s network to over 80 destinations across Singapore Airlines and SilkAir’s global network.

www.singaporeair.com

www.virginaustralia.com

 

ends

 

Acclaimed film maker and education champion David Puttnam set for G20 Global Cafe

BRISBANE has attracted Academy Award winning film producer and education, digital business and trade leader David Puttnam to speak next month at the Brisbane Global Café.

Lord Puttnam is best known for producing the acclaimed Oscar-winning film Chariots Of Fire, but in recent years has worked on various UK Government initiatives to promote better education outcomes and boost digital technology adoption in business and industry. 

Brisbane City Council Finance and Economic Development Chairman Councillor Julian Simmonds said the Brisbane Global Café is a first for a G20 host city and aimed to capitalise on the city’s status as the "capital of the world" when Brisbane hosts the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit.

“The Brisbane Global Café is a two-day event at Brisbane City Hall on November 12-13 leading into the G20 Leaders Summit on November 15-16, featuring speakers, workshops, and media conferences, as well as a series of events those involving the visit by Lord Puttnam,” Cr Simmonds said.

“Lord Puttnam is a legend of the film industry. His visit will be a coup for the city and the Brisbane Global Café.

“Lord Puttnam will speak a public seminar at Griffith University on Monday, October 6, as part of its ‘Cinema of Hope: Producing for Screen and Society in the 21st Century’, and the following day, he will present at ‘A Conversation with Lord David Puttnam’ luncheon at Room Three Sixty, QUT Gardens Point Campus.”

Cr Simmonds said Lord Puttnam had produced films including Chariots of Fire,The Killing Fields, Midnight Express, The Mission and Local Hero. In 2010 he was President of the International Jury for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

“Lord Puttnam is a legend of the industry. His films have won 10 Oscars, including Best Picture for Chariots of Fire, as well as 25 BAFTAs and the Palme D’Or at Cannes,” Cr Simmonds said.

“He retired from film production in 1998 to focus on his work in public policy but retains a strong and active interest in national and global policy for film and the wider creative and communications industries. He is now the chair of Atticus Education, an online education company based in Ireland.

“The former Chancellor of the Open University UK and Sunderland University, he is the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma, as well as the Irish Government’s ‘Digital Champion’.”

To book tickets to lunch with Lord Puttnam on Tuesday 7 October, go to http://wired.ivvy.com/event/FMC010 or to book tickets to Lord Puttnam’s Griffith University lecture on Monday 6 October, go towww.griffith.edu.au/puttnam-series

For more information on the Brisbane Global Cafe visit globalcafe.com.au

ends

ICC Sydney precinct gains luxury tower hotel

EXTRA >>

INTERNATIONAL Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney’s redeveloped Darling Harbour precinct is to be capped off with a luxury hotel tower.

NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner made the announcement on August 26. Mr Stoner said the premium harbour-side hotel would have around 600 rooms and be a standout feature of the NSW Government’s $2.5 billion transformation of Darling Harbour.

“This will be the first large luxury hotel built in Sydney’s CBD since the 2000 Olympics, and shows that Sydney well and truly has its mojo back,” Mr Stoner said. 

“The hotel will be operated by Accor under its French luxury hotel brand Sofitel, which

aligns with the conference, special event and tourism functions of Darling Harbour. The NSW Government is delighted that its development partner for this part of the

project, Lend Lease, has secured an agreement with Australia’s largest private hotel

investor, Dr Jerry Schwartz, to deliver the hotel.

ICC chief executive officer and AEG Ogden Group director of convention centres, Geoff Donaghy has welcomed the announcement “of the new luxury five-star Sofitel hotel for Sydney’s new premier business events precinct on Darling Harbour”.

“Our international and national attendees will now have a deluxe five-star hotel just 30m from the entrance to the harbour side foyer entry to the conventional centre, further adding to the great array of accommodation choices within easy walking distance of the venue,” Mr Donaghy said.

 “Today’s technology enables us to inform and involve delegates better than ever before and we look forward to providing exceptional experiences at what is set to become ICC Sydney’s headquarters hotel.”

Designed by renowned architect Richard Francis-Jones, the hotel “will be an impressive addition to the precinct, complementing the showcase major events venue and reinvigorated public spaces” according to Mr Stoner.

Mr Stoner said the hotel would boost the city’s visitor economy by expanding the supply and range of hotel accommodation for corporate travellers and tourists. 

“Sydney had nearly 2.9 million international overnight visitors in the year to March 2014, and this luxury hotel will be yet another drawcard for our city,” Mr Stoner said.

“Construction of the new 35-storey hotel is expected to start in late 2014, and it is due for completion in the first half of 2017.

“ICC Sydney will be capable of collectively hosting more than 12,000 delegates and holding multiple large conferences and exhibitions concurrently, and will ensure NSW remains a leading destination for business events in the Asia Pacific.

“Construction of the $1.1 billion centre is well underway, and it is attracting increasing global interest, highlighted by the recent announcement that Sydney has secured Sibos, the largest and most influential financial event in the world, for 2018.

“This is an infrastructure investment that will deliver on the national, state and local scale, hosting international exchange, generating about $200 million in annual economic benefit for NSW, and providing great new public places for everyone to enjoy.

“Across the 20-hectare redevelopment, the project will create about 3,700 jobs during construction, with a further 4,000 jobs on completion including a range of hospitality and tourism employment opportunities.

“This an exciting time for Sydney, and the new convention, exhibition and entertainment centre is just one of a raft of major infrastructure projects gaining momentum across the city,” Mr Stoner said.

www.aegogden.com

www.iccsydney.com

 

ends

Great minds attracted to G20 Brisbane Global Cafe

BRISBANE has attracted a rich array of technology pioneers, scientists, entrepreneurs, researchers, inventors and new-world thinkers to its major curtain-raiser event ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit in November.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Brisbane Global Cafe would boost’s the city’s status as the “capital of the world” during the G20 week in November.

Speaking at the official launch of the Brisbane Global Cafe, Cr Quirk said the event at Brisbane City Hall on November 12-13 was attracting some of the world’s most exceptional and influential thinkers as well as support from global media organisations and corporations. 

“It’s a bold concept and a first for a G20 host city,” Cr Quirk said.

“With the leaders of the world’s major nations and their support teams, the international media and the Global Cafe in Brisbane, we have an unprecedented opportunity.

“I have repeatedly emphasised that, to attract investment, students, skills and talent, business meetings and tourists, Brisbane has to be on the radar around the globe.

“The Global Cafe will help us extend ‘Team Brisbane’ to a broader audience of influencers and advocates and give our local business, government and academic community access to progressive thinking from around the world.

“The event will also attract hundreds of participants and help drive business for local hotels, restaurants and retail businesses.”

Cr Quirk last week announced five high-profile identities had been appointed as Brisbane Global Cafe Chairs to steer the conversations: Brisbane cervical cancer vaccine pioneer Professor Ian Frazer; national tourism identity Christopher Brown; UK-based advisor for cities and business Greg Clark; CSIRO executive Dr Alex Wonhas; and international entrepreneurial leadership and business growth expert Dr Jana Matthews.

“I’d also like to recognise the contribution of the co-chairs, CEO of QIMR Berghofer Prof. Frank Gannon, regional director Pacific for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Chris Flynn, and CEO of the International Energy Centre Tim McLennan,” he said.

Cr Quirk has announced the first group of speakers for the Global Café and, he said, more high-profile speaker names would be announced in coming weeks.

“The G20 will be the largest gathering of world leaders Australia has ever hosted and it’s a once-in-a-generation chance for Brisbane to step up and take its place among the emerging new world cities of the 21st century,” Cr Quirk said.

“The Global Cafe, led by economic development board Brisbane Marketing, has attracted phenomenal interest from both world-leading speakers and corporate partners including global media organisations BBC World News and Bloomberg.

“While the program is still being finalised, I can reveal confirmed international speakers will include Chinese business leader Xu Weiping; renowned biochemist Professor Christopher Leaver from Oxford University; US demographer Alan Berube; Chinese digital media mogul Liu Shengyi from Tencent; Israeli digital entrepreneurGadi Mazor; and Thai retail developer Chadatip Chutrakul of Siam Piwat.

“Locally, the line-up includes cochlear implant pioneer Prof. Robert Shepherd, who is leading the development of a bionic eye; chairman of Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism, Djawa Burarrwanga;intensive care medicine director at Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital (RBWH) Prof. Jeffrey Lipman; antibiotic-resistant bacteria researcher Prof. David Paterson and Young Australian of the Year 2012 and founder of 2Mar Robotics, Marita Cheng.”

Cr Quirk said the program would feature about 70 speakers – many of whom will also be engaging with local businesses while here – with up to 1000 people in the audience, including a large media contingent.

“I am also pleased to announce that the event will be live-streamed online and broadcast in King George Square as well as covered by local and global media outlets,” Cr Quirk said.

The event would explore important issues around improving human life, developing cities that match future needs, powering the future economy, unlocking the opportunities of the digital age and exploring the emerging frontiers of tourism.

“The November event will be the highlight but the Global Cafe also includes a website rich with thought-provoking content aimed at generating discussion as well as a series of events (leading up to November) and an online information and discussion forum,” he said.

“Anyone interested in participating or attending the Brisbane Global Cafe event can register their interest on the global cafe website.”

 “While the official Brisbane G20 summit will focus on achieving stronger economic and employment growth and dealing with future economic shocks, the global cafe will add a new dimension to the G20 summit.

“It’s a first for a G20 host city and I hope the concept will be adopted by other G20 host cities in the future,” Cr Quirk said.

Brisbane Marketing CEO, John Aitken, said international and Australian media, industry thought-leaders, business leaders, academia, and individuals with a particular interest in one or more of the themes would be encouraged to take part.

“This program has been a specifically-targeted global outreach of people we’d like to include in the Brisbane story going forward,” Mr Aitken said.

“We will be seeking to continue to work collaboratively with them to create investment opportunities that build Brisbane’s future as an emerging global city and a major player in the Asia Pacific.”

www.brisbanemarketing.com.au

www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

www.globalcafe.com.au

 

GLOBAL CAFE CORPORATE PARTNERS:

Brisbane Airport Corporation * Peabody Energy * Ergon Energy * Tourism Events Queensland * Energex * Bloomberg * BBC World News * The Courier-MailBrisbane Times4BC * Port of Brisbane * Singapore Airlines * Virgin Australia * South East Queensland Council of Mayors * BMW Alphabet * Tritium * Datacom * Cisco * University of Queensland * QUT * Griffith University * Pacific Asia Travel Association * QIMR Berghofer * TRI * CSIRO * International Energy Centre.

BRISBANE GLOBAL CAFÉ CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:

Liu Shengyi is senior executive vice president of Tencent and president of its Online Media Group which has become the definitive leader in the online media space. In 2011, Mr Liu was recognised as one of The World’s 21 Most Influential People in Marketing and Media by New York-based Advertising Age.

Xu Weiping is chairman of ABP (China Holding), a wholly-owned investment group of Dauphin Holdings Group Co Ltd in the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to researching, exploring and practicing Headquarters Economic Theory. In 2003, ABP Beijing became the first demonstration zone of the Headquarters Economy in China. The demonstration zone was based on the principles of unified planning, construction and investment to create a complex aggregating office, research, pre-production and industry and optimising talent, capital, technology, information and funding to drive economic growth. The concept is now being expanded to other markets.

Kong Linglong is a former Director of China’s National Development and Reform Commission Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment and is regarded as a leading expert on Chinese investment. He played a senior role in developing and implementing China’s national investment policies and his department was responsible for approving international investment projects of significance.

Hu Weiping is former Deputy Director-General of China’s National Development and Reform Commission National Energy Administration.  In his former role, Mr Hu was one of China’s most senior leaders responsible for approval of major resource deals and speaks with great authority on the future focus of China’s resources sector.

Alan Berube is senior fellow and deputy director at Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program in the US. He coordinates the program’s research agenda, including for its Global Cities Initiative, and has authored publications on topics including metropolitan demographic and economic trends, social policies affecting low-income families and communities, and cities in the global economy.

Andrew Boraine has been involved in South Africa’s local government, urban and economic development and transition processes for the past 36 years, as activist, advisor, negotiator, government planner, city manager, chief executive, facilitator, communicator, writer and photographer. Mr Boraine is CEO of the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership, a collaborative intermediary organisation that promotes regional economic development and job creation. He is adjunct professor at the African Centre for Cities (ACC) at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

Chris Whelan is the CEO of business think tank Accelerate Cape Town. He is a management consultant and business strategist who specialises in the use of systems thinking, scenario planning and foresight development in performance improvement.

Jordi William Carnes is CEO of Turisme de Barcelona and president of the board for Technology Foundation Circle of Catalonia Foundation. 

Rosemary Feenan, a former urban planner and market strategist, is an international director at JLL heading research on how global trends are impacting cities and their real estate and how they are changing the way we live, work and shop. Her World Winning Cities research series has, for over a decade, identified the next generation of rising urban stars and covered urban futures in cities across Asia Pacific, the UAE and North America.

Li Cunxin, artistic director of Queensland Ballet, is renowned for his internationally best-selling biography Mao’s Last Dancer which received numerous awards and was adapted as a feature film in 2009.  He has worked in the finance industry and has a long and diverse career as an internationally-acclaimed dancer after being selected at the age of 11 to attend the Beijing Dance Academy.  He was Queensland’s Australian of the Year 2014.

Stefan Hajkowicz leads CSIRO Futures - a diverse portfolio of projects to examine future trends and assist planning by government, industry and community.  Dr Hajkowicz’s work has influenced policy relating to Australia’s Murray Darling Basin, the Great Barrier Reef, the Swan and Canning River Estuary and other environmental assets.  His economic and geographic analyses have informed environmental and social policy in Niue, the Cook Islands, Palau and Egypt.  

Patrick McVeigh, general manager for economic growth at Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development, has led the development of economic, employment and innovation strategies for a wide range of clients across the United Kingdom. He also led the preparation of London’s Economic Development Strategy during his time with the London Development Agency.

Mateu Hernández is the CEO of Barcelona Global and was formerly the CEO of the Economic Development Agency of the City of Barcelona.  He has designed and implemented policies to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in Barcelona.  He is a member of the International Advisory Board of the 4th New York Strategic Plan, secretary of the International Advisory Board of the Smart Cities Expo and Congress, regularly advises economic development and strategic plans for cities and is senior advisor of SONAR, the advanced music and technology festival. 

Rick Antonson is a former CEO of Tourism Vancouver, an award-winning business innovator and author and has served as: board chair of the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) based in Washington, DC; deputy chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) based in Bangkok and  ambassador for the 2010 Olympic Winter and Paralympic Games held in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada. He was a founding board member of the Canadian Tourism Commission and a founder of the international marketing alliance Best Cities.  He believestravel is a vital force for peace, breaking down barriers to understanding and celebrating our differences.

John Morse is former managing director of Tourism Australia with 35 years experience in the industry. He has worked extensively in the past decade with Aboriginal people and communities across Australia to develop Indigenous tourism. He co-authored landmark report Walking To The Future for Kakadu National Park and was awarded an Order of Australia in 2003 for services to tourism and the development of indigenous tourism.

Djawa Burarrwanga is chairman of Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism and sits on several North East Arnhem Land corporation and association boards and is a member of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal people. He is the managing director of Bawaka Cultural Experiences, and has many years’ experience with his family in running cultural tours and programs to his homelands at Bawaka, Port Bradshaw.

Kathleen Pike is professor of psychology in psychiatry and epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center.  She is executive director and scientific co-director of the Global Mental Health Program and associate director of the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program. She is also senior supervising psychologist in the Center for Eating Disorders at CUMC.

Christopher John Leaver is aBritish biochemist and emeritus professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, and an Emeritus Fellow, of St John’s College, Oxford.  His expertise is in plant biochemistry, development, plant physiology and signalling.

Jeffrey Lipman is director of the Department of Intensive Care Medicine at Royal Bribane Womens Hospital and has worked full-time in intensive care units since 1979. His research interests include all aspects of infection management in intensive care. He has a special interest in the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics.

Marita Cheng is Young Australian of the Year 2012 and founder of 2Mar Robotics. She founded Robogals Global in 2008 as a response to the traditionally low levels of participation by women in engineering and technology. Robogals has run robotics workshops for 7000 girls across 90 schools in Australia and now has 16 chapters across Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan.

Robert Shepherd, the Bionics Institute director, Melbourne University, was part of Graeme Clark’s original cochlear implant team and is currently leading the pre-clinical program Bionic Vision Australia to develop a bionic eye.

David Paterson of Infectious Diseases at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Clinical Research and main area of research is in antibiotic resistant bacteria.  He works as an Infectious Diseases Physician at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, and as a Clinical Microbiologist for Pathology Queensland. Born and educated in Brisbane, Professor Paterson spent 10 years working for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in the US.

Amanda Davis is global chief operating officer of the Brien Holden Vision Institute, Public Health Division (formerly International Centre for Eyecare Education) Sydney.

Tony Wong is chief executive of Water Sensitive Cities Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), Monash University.  He is internationally-recognised for his research and practice in the sustainable urban water management, particularly in water-sensitive urban design.

Fran Baum is director of the Southgate Institute for Health – Flinders University and one of Australia's leading researchers on the social and economic determinants of health. She is a member and past chair of the Global Steering Council of the People’s Health Movement – a global network of health activists.  Professor Baum was a commissioner on the World Health Organisation’s Commission on the Social Determinants of Health from 2005-08.

Sangeet Paul Choudary, managing director of Singapore-based Platform Thinking labs, is a widely-published industry analyst, advisor and educator at leading universities around the world.  He is best known for his work on platform business models and network effects. His work has been featured or recommended by the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, WIRED, Fast Company, MarketWatch, TechCrunch, Inc and other leading business publications. He was formerly the head of innovation and new ventures at Intuit Asia-Pacific. 

Frank Farrall is the lead partner for Deloitte Digital and an information technology specialist who delivers innovative business solutions to clients in Australia, Asia and the US in sectors such as  telecommunications, financial services and the public sector.

Gadi Mazor, general partner and CTO of OurCrowd, founded and managed three startup companies in character and voice recognition and wireless communications. His companies sold wireless solutions to more than 1600 enterprises including the US Senate and House of Representatives, CitiGroup, Coca Cola and Raytheon.  Last year Blackberry named him ‘entrepreneur of the year’.

Andrew Barnes is CEO and co-founder of GO1 – a Brisbane-based global technology firm which has developed an eLearning system (AduroLMS.com) and an intelligent business platform (GoCatalyze.com).  He was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for Queensland (2014) and is undertaking an MSc in Education (Learning and Technology) at the University of Oxford.

Emil Davityan is founder and executive director of Melbourne-based technology company BlueDot which enables location-based commerce and social innovation across any industry where mobility and location can add value. He was a cyber policy adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Teri Willey is vice president for business development and technology transfer at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York.  She was previously vice president for technology and business development for Mount Sinai School of Medicine; founding chief executive of Cambridge Enterprise Ltd the technology commercialisation affiliate of the University of Cambridge; founder and managing partner of ARCH Development Partners (ADP), a seed and early stage venture fund focused on university and corporate spin-outs; University of Notre Dame Business School adjunct professor and vice president of Start-ups at ARCH Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the University of Chicago, which commercialised technology from the university and Argonne National Laboratory.

Alex French is co-founder of Peepable which has developed new technologies to help deaf people enjoy live performances. Mr French worked as an engineer for IBM and BBC Television before moving into software product management and founding Captioning Studio in 2004.

Hugh Mason, chief executive of The Joyful Frog Digital Incubator co-founded JFDI.Asia, Asia’s leading business accelerator. His physics degree was sponsored by GEC-Marconi Research, where he worked on projects ranging from digital radar to radio propagation and home automation.  He was a TV producer-director with the BBC’s primetime science show, Tomorrow’s World and founded  Narrateo, a TV production company that made over 150 documentaries for Discovery Channel and National Geographic.  In 2001, he co-founded Pembridge Partners providing investment and advice to marketing, media and technology companies.

Adrian Turner, co-founder and managing director of Borondi Group is one of Silicon Valley’s most respected experts on mobile and the Internet of Things.  Borondi Group is building a portfolio of operating assets at the intersection of pervasive computing and traditionally-conservative industries. He is author of the book BlueSky Mining which examines why Silicon Valley has been so successful in spawning new billion dollar industries.

Hugh Durrant-Whyte’s research focuses on robotics and distributed sensor networks and his work with industry includes major robotics and automation projects in cargo handling, surface and underground mining, defence, unmanned flight vehicles and autonomous sub-sea vehicles. He has also co-founded three successful start-up companies.

Mathew McDougall is the CEO and founder of Digital Jungle, a leading Chinese social media marketing agency. Dr McDougall is a renowned expert on digital marketing, recognised for his published articles, his frequent speaking engagements, as well as his prestigious consulting and teaching programs. His latest book is The Chinese Social Media Universe.

Chadatip Chutraku, CEO of Siam Piwat Company is a leading developer widely regarded as a top female achiever in Thailand. She operates several commercial landmarks in Bangkok including Siam Centre, Siam Discovery Center, Siam Paragon and Paradise Park. Before joining Siam Piwat, she became a philanthropist and began her career in the resources industry. 

Brett Godfrey is a leading aviation industry figure and the former CEO of Virgin Blue, now Virgin Australia. He has a strong financial background and his awards include: the Centenary Medal 2003 for services to the Queensland tourism industry, CEO of the Year 2004 for the Customer Service Institute Awards and Outstanding Chartered Accountants in Business Award 2003.

Egbert Schillings is CEO of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) with 20 years experience in the global healthcare industry. 

David Bloom is Clarence James Gamble professor of economics and demography at the Harvard School of Public Health and director of Harvard’s program on the Global Demography of Aging. He currently chairs the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on The Future of Health. In 2005 Bloom was elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Dimity Dornan is a speech pathologist and the founder and executive director of Hear and Say, which enables deaf children to listen and speak.

Ralph Martins has spent 30 years researching ageing and Alzheimer’s disease and holds adjunct professorial appointments with esteemed universities around the world.

Susan Edgman-Levitan is executive director of the John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is an associate in health policy at Harvard Medical School. 

James McCarthy is an Australian NHRMRC practitioner fellow. Prof. McCarthy heads the Clinical Tropical Medicine Laboratory at Queensland Institute of Medical Research. His research focus is the development and application of an experimental induced blood stage malaria system.

John Connor, CEO of The Climate Institute, has worked in a variety of policy and advocacy roles over the past 20 years with organisations including World Vision, Make Poverty History, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the NSW Nature Conservation Council. 

Tim McLennan, CEO of the International Energy Centre has more than 25 years experience in the resources, aerospace and energy sectors in innovation management and technology commercialisation and international collaboration.  He is also vice chairman of the Australian Latin American Business Council and director of the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence Ltd. 

David Gavaghan is chief executive of Titanic Quarter, located in the heart of a new, thriving Belfast, Northern Ireland, with the potential to become one of the most strategic and exciting developments in the UK. He has extensive experience in project and tax-based finance and was a director of Hambros Bank, London.

Kongjian Yu is one of the world’s leading landscape architects. The Harvard graduate is the founder and dean of the Graduate School of Landscape Architecture at Peking University, and the founder and president of Turenscape – the first and largest private landscape architecture and architecture firm in China. Dr Yu is a five-time winner of ASLA Honor Awards (The American Society of Landscape Architects).

Darrell Wade is the CEO of Peak Adventures and the co-founder and CEO of Intrepid Travel. Intrepid Travel is a tourism success story. It is one of the world’s leading small group adventure tour operators with more than 1000 itineraries to more than 100 countries worldwide.

Pansy Ho is the co-chair of MGM China and the managing director of Shun Tak Holdings. One of Asia’s most respected business leaders, Ms Ho was appointed chair of Jetstar in August last year. She is a graduate of the University of Santa Clara in California.

GLOBAL CAFÉ CHAIRS

Improving human life –Ian Frazer, Translational Research Institute CEO and director of research:

Professor Ian Frazer was trained as a renal physician and clinical immunologist in Edinburgh Scotland. In 1991, along with Chinese colleague, Dr Jian Zhou, he developed the virus-like particle technology which has become the basis of vaccines to prevent cervical cancer. Dr Frazer has recently been appointed as CEO and director of research of the newly created Translational Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia. He pursues research on skin cancer and on immunotherapy for cancer.

Cities of the future – Greg Clark who advises global cities, firms, organisations and events:

Economist and social and political scientist, Greg Clark is an advisor, advocate, and mentor for cities and businesses. He works with public and private leadership in global cities, global firms, global organisations, and at global events.

Powering future economies, energy – Alex Wonhas, executive director energy and resources, CSIRO:

Alex Wonhas is director of the Energy Flagship of CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.  Dr Wonhas oversees 650 researchers working to provide science and technology solutions to enhance the value Australia derives from its vast energy and mineral resources while enabling the transition to a lower emissions economy. 

New Frontiers of Tourism – Christopher Brown:

Christopher Brown is chairman and CEO of Taylor Street Consulting. From 1992-2011 Christopher Brown was managing director of two of the nation’s most high-profile CEO-based industry associations: the Tourism and Transport Forum and Infrastructure Partnerships Australia. Mr Brown is a director of the $1 billion Moorebank Intermodal Company Ltd and the University of Western Sydney, sits on the advisory boards of Moss Capital and ANZ Stadium and is founding chair of the high-powered Western Sydney Leadership Forum.

The Digital Age – business growth expert Jana Matthews:

Jana Matthews is an international expert on entrepreneurial leadership and business growth. The ANZ chair in business growth and director of the UniSA Centre for Business Growth, Dr Matthews is working with the executives of 40 Australian small-to-medium sized companies to unlock their growth potential.

 

ends

Contact Us

 

PO Box 2144
MANSFIELD QLD 4122