Cover story
BRISBANE’S NEWEST LUXURY HOTELS W Brisbane This city-centre stunner features 1,100 square metres of event space, a heated rooftop saltwater pool, two bars and a spa.
The Fantauzzo Located at the riverside Howard Smith Wharves dining and events precinct, this Art Series hotel boasts three conference spaces, a stunning rooftop bar and spectacular infinity pool.
The Calile This award-winning urban resort sits in the heart of Brisbane’s leafy shopping strip James Street, combining multifunctional event spaces with resort facilities.
Emporium South Bank Australia’s most awarded boutique luxury hotel features multiple event spaces and a sky-high rooftop pool bar with magnificent views over the city and beyond.
The Westin This inner-city oasis offers sweeping city views from a swim-up bar, a two-floor wellness centre and almost 1,000 square metres of event space.
8 Spice Spring 2020
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Brisbane turns over a new leaf The season of renewal is producing green shoots as live events begin to return to warm and welcoming Brisbane.
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efore Brisbane’s wide open streets are filled with the signature purple bloom of Jacaranda trees, one of the first signs that spring has arrived in the river city is the three-week Brisbane Festival. Restrictions related to coronavirus forced organisers of the major arts and culture showcase to completely reimagine the event in a COVID-safe context. The result is a carefully curated Boldly Brisbane program that will reawaken the city with 91 events, 73 of which are free, from 4-26 September 2020. Adorned with party hats and perched atop iconic Brisbane structures will be six giant Gouldian Finches, created by internationally renowned artist Florentijn Hofman. The colourful Australian native birds will offer messages of hope for residents and visitors.
Following the Brisbane Festival, the city will welcome back another entertainment-focused event. On 21-22 October, the BigSound live music festival and conference will return with a revised program to entertain, inform and inspire music industry participants to rebuild and re-emerge from the COVID-19 crisis. In another sign of green shoots for Brisbane’s events industry, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) reopened to host events in August. Awarded by Meetings & Events Australia as the country’s best for banqueting and catering, BCEC is offering flexibility for small to larger events with its 44 meeting rooms and event spaces. Its Site Specific COVID Safe Plan is integrated with VenueShield, a new environmental hygiene protocol developed by BCEC’s parent group, ASM Global.