Aquatic adventure, rich cultural offerings, and a $1 billion convention center opening this year makes Australia an attractive option for planners seeking something spectacular. Successful Meetings recently sat down with Jane Whitehead, vice president of the Americas for Tourism Australia, to find out what's new and often overlooked down under.
1. What's new in Australia for groups?
The key development in the group meetings space for 2016 is the opening of the $1 billion International Convention Center Sydney (ICC Sydney) in December, which will feature convention facilities capable of holding four fully separated concurrent events of more than 12,000 delegates and total exhibition capacity of 40,000 square meters (131,200 square feet). ICC Sydney will be Asia Pacific's premier integrated convention, exhibition, and entertainment precinct, underlining Sydney's place as one of the world's most desirable meeting and event destinations and providing the ideal platform to collaborate and innovate.
Other major news includes the ongoing redevelopment of the Adelaide Convention Center, increasing its multipurpose convention floor space by 4,300 square meters (14,100 square feet) and providing a new public boulevard linking the Riverbank Promenade to the center. The first stage of the official opening of the West Building will take place in 2016, with the remaining development launching in 2017 with a brand new multipurpose building, ballroom, and exhibition spaces.
2. What's a "hidden gem" for visiting groups?
Australia has some of the biggest and best large-scale meeting venues on offer. But smaller groups also have a number of hidden gems to choose from. The Old Clare Hotel has 62 rooms, rooftop pool, three restaurants, and two bars stretching across two iconic heritage-listed buildings in Sydney.
The hotel meeting space can accommodate up to 16 people, perfect for a small group looking to meet in the heart of Sydney's re-developed Kensington Street precinct in Chippendale. It's home to art galleries, production houses, graphic and fashion design studios, and some of the city's most exciting new restaurants, cafes, and bars.
3. What's a good outing to get a sense of Australia's culture or history?
For groups looking to learn about the country's history, they can explore the world's oldest rainforest, the Daintree. To appreciate this landscape, groups can take a tour with traditional owners, the Kuku Yalanji people, with a guided walk on traditional tracks alongside Mossman Gorge, and learn how they have used the rainforest for food, medicine, shelter, and spiritual sustenance for more than 9,000 years.
4. Where should a group go to get a truly local culinary experience?
With a range and quality of produce that is second to none, combined with a rich history of immigration, Australia has become home to one of the most exciting and multicultural food and wine scenes in the world.
The "32 Extraordinary Australian Food and Wine Experiences" magazine, available at businessevents.australia.com, contains information about unique Australian food and wine experiences around the country, that are specifically suited to the business events customer.
5. Anything else that you think makes Australia a great destination for groups?
Australia consistently ranks at the top of Americans' wish lists of destinations they want to visit. So if you're looking for a destination with "wow" factor that is truly rewarding and inspiring for your group, you just can't beat Australia. Now with the exchange rate at the most favorable level for Americans in many years, it's an even better value for groups.
Australia has never been easier to get to and is a great option as a hub for the Asia-Pacific region. There are 110 direct flights per week from North America including with United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Air Canada as well as flights via Auckland with Air New Zealand. What some people don't realize is that Australia is actually closer and easier to get to than a number of common destinations in Europe and Asia. And the quality of airline product and service offered between North America and Australia is among the best in the world so it's an enjoyable flight experience.
Australia and the U.S. have deep commercial and cultural ties and a natural affinity. You can count on excellent Aussie hospitality and service.
This year, we are showcasing one of Australia's strengths as a destination that is also appealing to the business events client -- its wealth of aquatic and coastal experiences. Seventy percent of our international visitors enjoy aquatic and coastal experiences as part of their trip to Australia and rank Australia number one for marine wildlife and remote and developed coastal beaches and aquatic locations. Wherever you are in Australia, there is a coastal or aquatic experience for groups to participate in; whether it's a helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles in Victoria; group paddle boarding in Sydney Harbour; snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef; kayaking through Katherine Gorge in the Northern Territory; driving on the beach in South Australia; cycling around Lake Burley Griffin; sailing through the sparkling blue waters of Rottnest Island; or walking the recently launched Three Capes Track in Tasmania.