Spice issue 97 Winter 2022

Issue 97 – Winter – 2022

FOOD & BEVERAGE Tasty trends, indulgent incentives and cosy winter venues MELBOURNE Top highlights from Australia’s culture capital

HOT 100!

The best hotels and venues in Australia and New Zealand

CULINARY REVOLUTION How CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park’s produce-first approach is shaping the guest experience

Best Sustainable Venue &

Convention Centre Catering Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Contents

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours

Winter 2022

REGULARS 5

Going up, going down

6

New and noteworthy

8

Cover story: CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park How the revolutionary new venue is elevating the guest experience.

OPINION 12

08

24

Incentive travel The sector anticipates a bumper year.

FEATURES 14

Hot 100: Hotels & Venues The results are in for our annual hottest venues roundup, as voted by you.

24

Food & beverage Foodie-centric experiences, the latest catering trends and cosiest winter venues.

38

Associations Creating events with a deeper sense of connection and purpose.

DESTINATIONS

14

44

44

Melbourne The capital of cool just keeps getting better. spicenews.com.au 3

Editor’s letter

Firing on all cylinders

W

Lana Bogunovich Editor Managing Director Simon Grover Publisher Paul Wootton pwootton@intermedia.com.au

elcome to our winter issue!

While there’s certainly a cold chill in the air for most of us, there’s no denying the business events industry has been firing on all cylinders.

In March, AIME 2022 put on a stellar show at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), welcoming around 3,000 delegates and stimulating $120 million in business events…and since then, it hasn’t stopped!

The pent-up demand and return of international business events has seen convention centres experience record-breaking months, with ICC Sydney reporting a bumper autumn season of 150 restriction-free events, drawing 30,000 visitors to the city with a potential contribution of $130 million to the local economy.

Suppliers and smaller venues tell us their phones are ringing off the hook, hotel rooms and flights are being booked, restaurants are full, and we too have been busy with meetings, trips (check out what we did in Melbourne on page 44), and events, including the planning of our very own Events Uncovered coming up 28 July.

There’s also celebrations to be had, with the highly anticipated reveal of our annual Hottest 100 Hotels and Venues across Australia and New Zealand. Turn to page 14 for the stunning results, as voted by you.

As this is also our food and beverage issue, we’ve got some yummy morsels in store from page 25, including foodie-centric team experiences and incentives (page 26), expert tips on trends to watch (page 28), and the cosiest dining venues for pure winter indulgence.

Stay warm, enjoy the issue, and come join us at Sydney Masonic Centre on 28 July for Events Uncovered!

Editor Lana Bogunovich lbogunovich@intermedia.com.au

ON THE COVER CENTREPIECE Chef de Cuisine Chris O’Brien and Sous Chef Tommy Susanto.

National Sales Team Katherine Ross, Charlotte Marshall Production Manager Jacqui Cooper jacqui@intermedia.com.au Production Assistant

Spice Magazine Team Group sales and marketing manager Katherine Ross

Sales and marketing manager

Graphic designer

Charlotte Marshall

Alyssa Coundouris

Natasha Jara

+ 61 2 8586 6176

+61 2 8586 6216

+61 2 8586 6152

njara@intermedia.com.au

kross@intermedia.com.au

cmarshall@intermedia.com.au

alyssac@intermedia.com.au

Graphic Designer Alyssa Coundouris Prepress Tony Willson Subscriptions

Visit SpiceNews.com.au for the latest industry news as it happens.

Our twice-weekly updates cover venues, suppliers, destinations and technology, as well as inspiration and tips to help you plan stand-out events. @SpiceNews

@SpiceNewsMag

@SpiceNewsMag

Spice Magazine

subscriptions@intermedia.com.au The opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers in SPICE magazine are not necessarily those of Food and Beverage Media's management or staff.

All material contained in SPICE is copyright.

Spice Magazine is published by Food and Beverage Media Pty Ltd (ABN 81 163 792 292) 41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 ph: 02 9660 2113, fax: 02 9660 4419 ISSN 1832-7176 4 Spice Winter 2022

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Trends Protecting your wellbeing Business leaders have a role to play in their team’s mental health and wellbeing, especially to maintain connectivity. Team building sessions and workshops in sound healing, breathwork, meditation and how to protect your energy in the office have become extremely popular and essential for employees returning to work.

Making events accessible

Personalised swag With the return to the office,

Virtual and hybrid events

there has been a lot of

provide vast opportunity for

excitement over welcome back

brands to reach new and

employee packs, especially if

wider audiences. To ensure

they’re personalised with their

accessibility to as many

name. Swag that’s eco-friendly

delegates as possible, offer

with a focus on wellness and

an option for joining via a

sustainability rates highly.

livestream and consider the production element of their onscreen experience for inclusion.

Going up, going down

With more than 20 years of event management experience, The Connected Curator director Lynleigh McPherson is always in the know about what’s trending and what isn’t on the events scene.

Useless swag Gone are the days of mass company branded merchandise headed for

Awkward canapés

landfill or to the back of a

There is absolutely no graceful way

dusty cupboard. We’ve had

to eat a canapé that is too big, or

enough of cliché swag we

too crumbly and falls apart easily,

don’t need like pens, key

or too saucy and dripping all over

chains and bottles.

you. Super awkward, especially while trying to mix and mingle.

Wednesday is the new Friday!

Friday long lunches are out with most people preferring to work from home, making Wednesday the hot new date for meetings, events and gettogethers. They don’t call it hump day for nothing!

spicenews.com.au 5

Upfront

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast

Credit: Simon Larkin

The Carlin, Queenstown, NZ Taking its cue from the luxury boutique hotels of Europe, The Carlin prides itself on offering a highly exclusive, one-of-akind accommodation experience for discerning travellers.

Think private chefs, butlers and massages, access to luxury vehicles, arrival by private jet, the largest penthouse suite in Australasia, and huge indoor and outdoor living spaces that take in spectacular snow-capped mountain and lake views.

Spanning seven floors, The Carlin has eight suites offering one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom configurations, which can be booked for private events. There is also the option to host a private meeting or event at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant ORO or book out the entire property which can accommodate up to 50 overnight guests.

Superbly located in the centre of Maroochydore, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast offers value and convenience for the modern traveller, be it for work or pleasure. Each of the 181 guest rooms and suites have been designed for a relaxed and comfortable stay with thoughtful touches such as study nooks, fast WiFi and the brand’s signature ‘Express Recharge’ which features a pillow menu, blackout blinds and a walk-in power shower. Business travellers will appreciate the flexible workspaces and convenient conference and function facilities, including The Great Room which offers 721 square metres of space. There’s also a ground floor retail space, fitness centre and rooftop swimming pool.

New + noteworthy Newly opened places to stay, eat and play at. voco Melbourne Central Housed within the dazzling new ‘380 Melbourne’ skyscraper on Lonsdale Street, voco Melbourne Central has an array of shopping, dining, laneways and attractions right at its doorstep. As Australia’s first newbuild voco Hotel, it is completely original in style and carries all the hallmarks of the brand’s ‘tread lightly’ philosophy. Throughout the property, the cultivated plant life not only looks beautiful but helps keep the building cool, while each one of the 252 rooms has at least one window that opens, reducing the need for airconditioning. Ideal for accommodating business events groups, the hotel boasts 493 square metres of meetings and events space, including boardroom, event space with terrace, and a flexible 3-in-1 meeting space with breakout rooms. Additionally, the Rooftop Pool Terrace and Blacksmith Brasserie & Bar offer interesting spaces for social events, complete with city views.

6 Spice Winter 2022

Upfront

The Castlereagh by Fassnidge, Sydney Celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge has taken over the bistro at the City Tattersalls Clubowned The Castlereagh, marking a new chapter for the historic Sydney CBD venue.

Freshly refurbed, the venue welcomes guests into an elegant and relaxed space, decked out with natural timber, forestgreen walls, lush greenery and a cellar style wall and cured meat display. There are multiple spaces available for any type of event, whether it’s seated private dining for up to 30 or a cocktail event at the bar for up to 150. The whole venue can also be hired out exclusively. On the menu, you’ll find contemporary yet comforting gastropub fare that celebrates seasonal ingredients and local farmers and suppliers.

At Optus Stadium we tick every box!

With 20 stunning function spaces, the possibilities are endless when it comes to hosting your next event.

Unique indoor and outdoor spaces, customisable to any event State-of-the-art technology to connect you and your guests Award-winning menus and catering options All the space and measures to keep your guests safe A dedicated team to deliver your event

Enquire at optusstadium.com.au/venuehire or phone 08 6247 4946

spicenews.com.au 7

Cover story

“Food shapes our memories”:

Elevating the guest experience at Melbourne’s CENTREPIECE Taking full advantage of everything Victoria offers in both produce and inspiration, the newly revealed events and conference venue at Melbourne Park is leading a culinary revolution on the events scene.

A

ustralia has always held itself in high regard when it comes to food. Local chefs have long made their mark on the world stage, with culinary minds priding themselves on pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo and servicing a community with palates that rival the most experienced food critic.

An enthusiasm for both the traditional and the unconventional drives elite event venues and esteemed restaurants to invest in food as an experience that goes beyond the transactional. Chefs perform residencies in one another’s restaurants, or blend food with performance and art as we saw with Scott Pickett’s Higher Order. For Australians, food is far more than fuel – it’s a cultural identity.

For newly revealed events and conference venue CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, the food – and everything

8 Spice Winter 2022

that surrounds it – has been a cornerstone to its offering from conception, taking full advantage of everything Victoria offers in both produce and inspiration.

“The experience we have with food shapes our memories – we aim to surprise every guest that walks through our doors,” says executive chef Asif Mamun.“In designing the culinary experience of CENTREPIECE, I looked far and wide to inspire dishes that represented the vision of the venue and its place in the Victorian culinary environment. The entire concept reflects the state’s vibrancy and the passion we bring to the table.”

From hosting the exclusive Penfolds and Rockpool restaurants at the recent Australian Open, to curating bespoke menus with locally-sourced produce for every event, CENTREPIECE is leading a culinary revolution in the events scene – and no detail has been overlooked.

Cover story

2

1

Above: Cheesecake with strawberry compote, watermelon jelly and baked raspberry meringue 1. A Victorian-first setting using Table Art linens, Plumm Glassware and florals by Style by Nature 2. CENTREPIECE Chef de Cuisine Chris O’Brien and Sous Chef Tommy Susanto 3. CENTREPIECE chocolate desserts created by Tim Clark from CACAO Melbourne Photo credit: Diprose Media

3

A produce-first approach

Making the process participatory

The CENTREPIECE menu was designed via the team’s ability to source the finest local and seasonal produce – including Gippsland farmed Wagyu, free-range Macedon duck and Wongarra Farm Black Truffle – and building relationships with Victoria’s most passionate producers.

“As a major events venue in Victoria, it’s a privilege to contribute to our community, so the menu – by virtue of our suppliers – benefits the state and showcases the local culture, celebrating culinary craftmanship in a really positive and sustainable way,” says Mamun.

There’s also an additional benefit to sourcing local, which is integral for discerning event managers: working with local suppliers reduces food miles and promotes sustainability, while delivering a sense of place to delegates who may be limited to travel between their hotel room and conference venue.

“Our Victoria-first approach to menu development means we are extremely wellequipped not just to showcase Melbourne within our conference and events spaces, but to take our guests on a trip through the diverse food bowls of Victoria, and really tell a story,” says CENTREPIECE head of food and beverage Rachel Dolan.

For a long time, meals were created away from the person eating it – the cut and thrust of the kitchen was hidden and the process was divorced from the result. Today, restaurants with open kitchens are in vogue, and event managers are increasingly turning to live demonstrations and interactive displays to build the sensory experience and anticipation – enriching the experience when they eventually sit down (or stand) to eat it.

“Smelling the individual components of a meal and hearing the process take place – think garlic and onion hitting the pan in the early stages, or the last turn and sizzle of a steak on the grill – can reveal the nuance of a meal to the diner,” says Mamun.“When they sit down having seen the preparation, guests tend to notice the layering of the flavours, and pick up more of the finer details.”

Dolan says that catering for vast amounts of people with varying tastes, allergies and preferences can be a challenge, and many clients are looking to combat this with individual interactive food stalls and pop ups.

“At the recent AIME Welcome Event at CENTREPIECE – between the acrobats and suspended grand pianist – a barbecue bar ➤ spicenews.com.au 9

Cover story

Finishing touches to CENTREPIECE’s harvest boards featuring locally grown produce

“We’re focused on constantly pushing the boundaries for our clients, enabling them to make CENTREPIECE their masterpiece.”

- Rachel Dolan

A selection of networking canapes

10 Spice Winter 2022

sizzled with local game meats being cooked over flame, while the Harvest Bar meant that guests could build their own canapes with Victoria’s best cheeses and produce.”

A delivery that matches quality That we eat with our eyes has been well proven – how chefs plate up directly impacts the enjoyment we get from a meal. While colour is the most obvious of drivers, glossiness, shape and the visual texture can all call back to memories that have a profound impact on taste.

However, there’s also an additional pressure that comes with serving food in an events space. Every detail of an event communicates something about the credibility and professionalism of the host, and the dining experience – from taste through to presentation – plays an outsized role in delivering a top-tier experience.

It’s why the CENTREPIECE team spent considerable time collaborating with local tableware suppliers, from Robert Gordon and Plumm Glass to bespoke linen provider Table Art, to deliver a complete culinary experience that fit CENTREPIECE's creative needs.

“Any event manager knows that the devil is in the detail, and presentation of the food is a key driver of the entire event experience,” says Dolan.

“There’s nothing worse than going to a beautifully planned event, having a good time, but being let down when it’s time for service. Attention needs to be paid to everything – from how food is plated, right through to the tableware it’s served on.”

An unrivalled experience As one of Melbourne’s newest conference and events venues, CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park has benefitted from lessons learned in one of the most competitive food destinations in the world, while also taking inspiration from best practice globally.

“At the end of the day, our aim is to utilise everything at our disposal – from our flexible event spaces and talent to the service staff and our suppliers – to deliver an experience that holds its own against any venue, anywhere across the globe,” says Dolan.

“We’re focused on constantly pushing the boundaries for our clients, enabling them to make CENTREPIECE their masterpiece.

Our role is to help them realise their vision through the space, and in a city like Melbourne, the food cannot be a secondary consideration.”

CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park is now open. Enquire now for your next event at centrepiecemelbourne.com n

This Winter Meet in Luxury

Host your event at The Langham, Melbourne and receive 5% credit towards your next event and three additional privileges to choose from.

Contact tlmel.takethelead@langhamhotels.com to book today. #LovingLangham #CelebrateTheEveryday

1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, VIC 3006 Australia T (61) 3 8696 8888 F (61) 3 9690 5889 langhamhotels.com/melbourne

Opinion

INCENTIVE TRAVEL: New programs, new clients and new places

Society of Incentive Travel Excellence Australia and New Zealand (SITE ANZ) board member and 212F Australia general manager Belinda Ramanauskas isn’t just anticipating a bumper year for the incentive travel sector, she knows it, and her team is expecting to move more people in 2022 than they did pre-COVID.

I

Top: Manning Gorge, Western Australia. Credit: Tourism Australia Above: Belinda Ramanauskas

12 Spice Winter 2022

can feel it within the 212F team! We have kicked off the year with high optimism, which is certainly echoed by our clients and the increase in enquiries we’re getting.

The travel bug is real and after being locked down for so long, there is pentup demand to escape!

Corporates have the budgets to spend and are eager to reward their top achievers, so incentive travel is back on the cards in a big way - not just the rescheduled trips, but also new programs, new clients and new destinations.

In the calendar year ahead, we will be moving more people than we did pre-COVID in 2019.

Historically, most of our travel incentive programs have travelled offshore but the trend we are seeing right now is a shift to local, with 80 per cent of our events travelling domestically in 2022 – and by domestically, I do mean New Zealand as well.

Australia and New Zealand have such diverse landscapes and we are loving exploring our own beautiful backyards with a strong focus on showcasing unique local essence.

While the focus is domestic for now, our passports remain within clear reach, and it is very exciting to be working with a number of clients who are keen to venture abroad. Our first overseas

incentive will be travelling to Hawaii in May 2022, and to our delight, even Europe is back on the cards with groups travelling to Spain and Italy towards the end of the third quarter of this year.

There is no doubt this trend will grow and as we demonstrate more examples of successful international trips being executed, we will continue to change the views of more domesticfocused corporates.

But in saying this, there will be new challenges with international programs, with a major emphasis on COVID safety. Different destinations and countries are approaching COVID differently, with different entry and exit requirements and it will be up to us to know what these are for the safety and wellbeing of our participants and, of course, our team.

Clear health and safety protocols will be an extremely important factor in venue and destination selection moving forward.

Open communication with suppliers I think the real issue for the industry over the coming months will be the readiness of the supply chain and the impact of labour shortages in tourism and hospitality. This is particularly important when it comes to incentive travel where program itineraries are typically known for their high level of luxury, exclusive experiences and making our delegates feel special.

Opinion

“There is no greater opportunity to build authentic relationships than face to face on an amazing incentive trip!”

Clients have service level expectations and if hotels, on-ground operators and venues are facing internal staffing and resource challenges, it can have a detrimental effect on the delivery standard of our programs.

This is where a strong partner model is key.

Open communication and transparency is critical to understand any challenges our groups may face. If we need to tweak our plans, or re-set our delegates’ expectations, it’s important we have the honest intel from our supply partners so we can prepare, communicate and be creative with our solutions to ensure we deliver an event at the incentive-level quality we and our clients expect.

As an example, if we know that a hotel has difficulty getting housekeeping staff on a Sunday and turning over rooms, we can plan our itinerary around avoiding a Sunday arrival.

If delivering daily personalised room drops to guest rooms is going to be an issue, we can arrange a unique gifting experience such as a custom Akubra hat fitting in a beautiful offsite setting. We could even have a gorgeous gift presented to guests at their place setting

on arrival at a dinner event rather than on their bed when they retreat for the night.

It’s far easier to work around issues than run into trouble during the program.

Lessons from the pandemic Reflecting back on the last year, the challenges of COVID-19 felt by all businesses have certainly highlighted the importance of collaboration for long term commercial success. In our modern “connected” world, we are perhaps more socially disconnected than ever and creating real connections takes on a new meaning.

212F was fortunate to experience growth and I believe a core ingredient to this success was not only our breadth of offer, but our core focus on our partnerships.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that this fundamental pillar of business is even more important than ever. Our clients are bursting to re-connect with their customers and teams and there is no greater opportunity to build authentic relationships than face to face on an amazing incentive trip! n

When you want to make a BIG impression!

The biggest solution for an impactful “wow” factor at your next meeting or event.

Find out more at accorstadium.com.au/makeitbig

spicenews.com.au 13

Hot 100

14

Kingsford, South Australia

HOT 100 Hotels & Venues

From intimate private dining spaces and sophisticated cocktail bars to boutique hotels and spectacular mega venues, here are the top 100 hotels and venues across Australia and New Zealand, as voted

by Spice readers and events professionals.

spicenews.com.au

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Hot 100

“

SPICE READERS LOVE: QT Melbourne

“Funky design and vibe with a great rooftop bar” Best business hotel Hyatt Regency Sydney

Hyatt Regency Sydney Sydney, NSW | @hyattregencysydney Eos by SkyCity Adelaide, SA | @eosbyskycity QT Melbourne Melbourne, VIC | @qtmelbourne PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney Sydney, NSW | @parkroyaldarlingharbour The Westin Perth Perth, WA | @westinperth

Best boutique hotel Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane, QLD | @emporiumhotels Ovolo Woolloomooloo Sydney, NSW | @ovolohotels Halcyon House

Kyah Boutique Hotel Blue Mountains, NSW | @kyahhotel Halcyon House Cabarita Beach, NSW | @_halcyonhouse The Dudley Boutique Hotel Hepburn Springs, VIC | @the_dudley

Best convention centre hotel Pan Pacific Melbourne Melbourne, VIC | @panpacificmelbourne Novotel Brisbane South Bank Brisbane, QLD | @novotel_southbank Sofitel Adelaide Adelaide, SA | @sofiteladelaide Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort Sunshine Coast, QLD | @novotelsunshinecoast Pan Pacific Melbourne

16 Spice Winter 2022

The Darling Sydney Sydney, NSW | @thestartsydney

Sydney Masonic Centre

Best venue or studio for virtual and hybrid events

Crystalbrook Byron

Best regional hotel

Sydney Masonic Centre Sydney, NSW | @sydneymasoniccentre

RACV Cape Schanck Resort Mornington Peninsual, VIC | @racvcapeschanckresort

Big Picture Australia Sydney, NSW | @big_picture_australia

Crystalbrook Kingsley Newcastle, NSW | @crystalbrookkingsley

Encore Studios Multiple locations | @encoreapac

Kingsford The Barossa Barossa Valley, SA | @kingsfordthebarossa

Redback Connect Multiple locations | @redbackconnect

Lake House Daylesford, VIC | @thelakehousedayelsford

AV1 ControlRoom at MCA Sydney, NSW | @av1_australia

Crystalbrook Byron Byron Bay, NSW | @crystalbrookbyron

Extraordinary events Located within a lush and serene rainforest, Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas is home to one of the largest conference and event facilities in Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast, offering a range of recently refurbished flexible and fully equipped event spaces and hatted restaurant View by Matt Golinski.

Inspire creativity and focus in the rainforest, let the creative and experienced Peppers planners introduce you to the possibilities.

Experience Peppers.

Call (07) 5455 2200 Email noosa.events@peppers.com.au 33A Viewland Drive, Noosa Heads @peppersnoosaevents

Hot 100

Higher Mark

The Hotel Britomart

Best regional conference venue

Best MICE hotel in New Zealand

Great Ocean Road Resort Anglesea, VIC | @greatoceanroadresortevents

Mercure Queenstown Resort Queenstown, NZ | @mercurequeenstown

Higher Mark Geelong, VIC | @higher.mark

The Hotel Britomart Auckland, NZ | @thehotelbritomart

Willinga Park South Coast, NSW | @willingapark

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Auckland, NZ | @sofitelaucklandviaductharbour

The Anchorage Port Stephens Hotel & Spa Port Stephens, NSW | @theanchorageportstephens

Hilton Auckland Auckland, NZ | @hiltonauckland

Batavia Coast Conference Centre Geraldton, WA | @bataviacoastconferencecentre

Oaks Wellington Hotel Wellington, NZ | @oaks_hotels

“

SPICE READERS LOVE: The Hotel Britomart

“Excellent location and spacious, comfortable rooms”

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort

Best resort

ICC Sydney or International Convention Centre Sydney

Best sustainable hotel or venue

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas Port Douglas, QLD | @sheratongrandportdouglas

Ovolo Woolloomooloo Sydney, NSW | @ovolohotels

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort Whitsundays, QLD | @intercontinentalhaymanisland

Optus Stadium Perth, WA | @optusstadium

Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas Noosa, QLD | @peppersnoosaresort

Eos by SkyCity Adelaide, SA | @eosbyskycity

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort Sanctuary Cove, QLD | @intercontinentalsanctuarycove

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Gold Coast, QLD | @gccec

Longitude 131º Uluru, NT | @longitude131

ICC Sydney or International Convention Centre Sydney Sydney, NSW | @iccsyd

18 Spice Winter 2022

YOUR EVENTS, UNDER THE ONE ROOF If you’re seeking a unique event experience on the Gold Coast look no further than Southport Sharks.

Specialising in conferences, meetings, exhibitions and sports camps, Southport Sharks features eight event spaces, onsite accommodation (120-room Mantra at Sharks hotel) plus multiple food, beverage and entertainment options.

The facility also includes a 24/7 fitness centre, two AFL grade ovals and green zones for outdoor activities.

Located in a central Gold Coast location, the award-winning venue is a short walk to the G:Link, Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University.

Our exceptional team would be delighted to assist with your next Gold Coast event.

WANT 50% OFF ROOM HIRE? Call our sales team and quote “Spice” or scan the QR code PH: 07 5532 1155 | E: sales@southportsharks.com.au southportsharks.com.au

Hot 100 Best wellness hotel or resort Spicers Sangoma Retreat Blue Mountains, NSW | @spicerssangomaretreat Daintree Ecolodge Tropical North, QLD | @daintreeecolodge One&Only Wolgan Valley Wolgan Valley, NSW | @wolganv Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa Hepburn Springs, VIC | @hepburnbathhousespa Spicers Sangoma Retreat

Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park Melbourne, VIC | @lancemorehotels

“

SPICE READERS LOVE: Daintree Ecolodge

“A stunning place with natural wonders at every turn” Best venue for product launch Pier One Sydney Harbour Sydney, NSW | @pieronesydney THE LUME Melbourne (Event partner: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.)

Melbourne, VIC | @thelumemelbourne THE LUME Melbourne

Beta Events Sydney, NSW | @beta.events The Calyx at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Sydney, NSW | @rbgsydney Metropolis Events Melbourne, VIC | @metropolisevents

Best venue for private dining

Perth, WA |

Wildflower @wildflowerrestaurant

Peppina Hobart, TAS | @thetasmanhobart Beckett’s Bar + Dining Sydney, NSW | @beckettsglebe The George on Collins Melbourne, VIC | @thegeorgeoncollins Peppina

20 Spice Winter 2022

Garcon Bleu Adelaide, SA | @garconbleuadl

Zephyr Sky Bar

Yamagen Japanese

Best hotel bar

Best hotel restaurant

Hyde Hacienda Sydney Bar & Lounge Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour Sydney, NSW | @hydehaciendasydney

glass brasserie at Hilton Sydney Sydney, NSW | @glassbrasserie

Zephyr Sky Bar at Hyatt Regency Sydney Sydney, NSW | @zephyrbarsyd

Silvester’s at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay Sydney, NSW | @silvestersrestaurantandbar

Ru-Co Bar at Grand Hyatt Melbourne Melbourne, VIC | @rucobar

Signature at Emporium Hotel Brisbane, QLD | @signatureemporiumhotel

Terrace Bar at Little National Hotel Sydney Sydney, NSW | @littlenationalhotel

Lollo at W Melbourne Melbourne, VIC | @lollo_melbourne

Wet Deck at W Hotel Brisbane Gold Coast, QLD | @yamagenjapanese

Yamagen Japanese at QT Gold Coast Gold Coast, QLD | @yamagenjapanese

wthemecc.com.au ww.them ecc.com.a u

Hot 100

mimi’s

Best small venue (1 - 50 pax) The Mark at State Buildings Perth, WA | @statebuildings Donna Chang Brisbane, QLD | @_donnachang The Libraries at The Hotel Britomart Auckland, NZ | @thehotelbritomart

The Aviary Perth

Best mid-sized venue (51 - 150 pax) WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Sydney, NSW | @merlinevents Australian National Maritime Museum Sydney, NSW | @sea.museum The Aviary Perth Perth, WA | @theaviaryperth

Fat Pig Farm Glaziers Bay, TAS | @fat_pig_farm

Customs House Brisbane Brisbane, QLD | @customshousebne

mimi’s Sydney, NSW | @mimis.sydney

Old Melbourne Gaol Melbourne, VIC | @showtimeeventgroup

MCA Foundation Hall

Best large venue (151 - 500 pax) King Road Brewing Company Perth, WA | @kr_brewry

Optus Stadium

Best mega venue (501 - 5000+) The Linseed House Sydney, NSW | @thegroundsevents

MCA Foundation Hall Sydney, NSW | @mca_australia

Southport Sharks Gold Coast, QLD | @southportsharks

River’s Edge Events Melbourne, VIC | @riversedgeevents

Optus Stadium Perth, WA | @optusstadium

Q Events Melbourne, VIC | @qevents__

Miami Marketta Gold Coast, QLD | @miamimarketta

Waysons Bay Botique Hotel Sydney, NSW | @waysonsbaybotiquehotel

CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park Melbourne, VIC | @centrepiecemelbourne

22 Spice Winter 2022

MCEC catering

Convention centre with best in-house catering

Flames of the Forest

Best venue for a gala dinner

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Gold Coast, QLD | @gccec

Flames of the Forest Port Douglas, QLD | @flamesoftheforest

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Melbourne, VIC | @mcec

Le Montage Sydney, NSW | @bynavarra

Adelaide Convention Centre Adelaide, SA | @adelaidecc

The Westin Brisbane Brisbane, QLD | @westinbrisbane

Cairns Convention Centre Cairns, QLD | @ccc_cairns

ICC Sydney Sydney, NSW | @iccsyd

Hobart Convention and Exhibition Centre Hobart, TAS | @grandchancellorhobart

Hyatt Regency Perth Perth, WA | @hyattregencyperth

MORE THAN JUST SPORTS

Events commbankstadium.com.au/functions

WINNER City of Parramatta Excellence in Customer Service 2021

spicenews.com.au 23

FOOD & BEVERAGE Our annual food and beverage issue gets the insider tips on what’s trending and offers ideas and inspiration, from crowd-pleasing dinners in cosy venues to foodie-focused team bonding.

Gowings Bar and Grill at QT Sydney, NSW. Courtesy of Event Hospitality & Entertainment

24 Spice Winter 2022

26 TASTY TEAM BUILDING econnect over foodR centric experiences

28 CATERING TRENDS

Expert insights on what’s trending on the food scene

30 WINTER VENUES

Keep the chill away at these hot restaurants spicenews.com.au 25

Food & beverage

SHUCK OYSTERS STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE sydneyoystertours.com Treat the team to an unforgettable afternoon of shucking oysters and sipping champagne in the pristine waters of the Hawkesbury River.

Located just 45 minutes north of Sydney CBD, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours offers guided tours of its family owned and operated oyster

At a time where staff reconnection is more important than ever, these foodie focused experiences are the perfect way to treat your teams.

farm in Mooney Mooney, New South Wales. Participants will get to meet second and third generation oyster farmers as they go behindthe-scenes and explore the farming and cultivation of oysters, while learning to shuck and taste the freshest Sydney Rock and Pacific oysters they’ve ever had. The Immerse Yourself tour includes a boat ride to the oyster leases and an in-water oyster tasting experience with refreshments, or you can take it up a notch with the Oyster Elegance which ends with a premium gourmet seafood lunch on a secluded beach overlooking the river.

TASTY

TEAM BUILDING MASTER THE ART OF GIN MAKING bstill.com.au Get the whole team engaging in a gin making workshop at Brisbane Distillery Company, Australia’s first Gin School. Participants will have more than 140 botanicals to choose from to create their very own bespoke gin to take home, which they’ll distil in a mini copper still while learning about the history of gin and its unique creation process. There’s drinks and snacks included and while there are 30 stills, most of the classes are better suited to smaller groups for a more intimate and tailored experience.

After class, head out to The True Spirit Bus – a refurbished 1970s double-decker bus that has been reinvented into a cocktail bar complete with booth seating, a rooftop deck, and the ability to be hired out and configurated for larger groups.

26 Spice Winter 2022

Food & beverage FIRE UP THE BARBIE weber.com Taking backyard barbecuing to a whole new level, the Weber Grill Academy in Adelaide offers a range of barbecuing experiences ideal for groups and team building days. For groups of up to 20 seeking serious barbecue action, the Hands-on-Tongs experience is as hands on as it gets, with each participant contributing to the preparation and cooking of the group’s meal. For larger groups of up to 30, there’s the Light Hands-On-Tongs which includes engaging barbecue demonstrations presented by Weber’s barbecue specialists and offers guests the opportunity to try their hand at cooking parts of the meal themselves. There’s also ‘live barbecue catering’ available, featuring South Australian produce and beverages. All private group bookings get exclusive use of the entire Weber Grill Academy purpose-built venue, which includes a large all-weather balcony decked out with the full range of Weber barbecues, an alfresco dining area with full bar, dedicated staffing, and audio-visual facilities.

HEAD TO NEW HEIGHTS southpacifichelicopters.co.nz New Zealand’s South Island is renowned for its stunning natural scenery and there’s no better way to take it all in than from soaring above in a helicopter. Based in picturesque Kaikoura, South Pacific Helicopters combines breathtaking scenic flights over the peninsula and mountain ranges with unique and immersive food and beverage experiences, making them ideal for groups and incentives. Land on a private alpine site and tuck into a picnic of local delicacies and bubbles as you watch the sun set behind the ranges, sample artisanal gin at a boutique distillery nestled on the foothills of Mount Fyffe, or enjoy a day of pure indulgence with an exclusive wine tasting at Cloudy Bay Winery before flying over the spectacular Marlborough Sounds and landing at a luxury resort for a delicious lunch.

GET A LITTLE CHEEKY cheekyfoodevents.com Acclaimed Indigenous chef, television presenter and author Mark Olive has teamed up with Sydney-based Cheeky Food Events to bring the flavours of Indigenous Australia to corporate team building and events. Aptly named The Cheeky Olive, this MasterChef-inspired activity will see participants tap into Olive’s passion for cooking and intimate knowledge of native ingredients to create authentic Aussie bush tucker in a hands-on, competitive cooking challenge format. Designed to bring colleagues closer together through the fun and creativity of cooking, the experience offers unique cultural insights and teaches people how to easily integrate interesting native flavours into their daily cooking. The Cheeky Olive can be booked privately for groups of 10 or more. spicenews.com.au 27

Food & beverage

SMALL BUT EXCEPTIONAL Despite COVID restrictions easing, we’re still seeing a trend towards more intimate events, with guest numbers much smaller than those we saw prepandemic. For corporate events, companies are planning more targeted events for divisions and teams, rather than company-wide events.

The guest list may be refined but event organisers are still utilising the same budget, resulting in more impressive events, with a higher spend per head on food and beverage, and styling. We’re seeing an increase in event activations to create an experience that is fun, unique and memorable. More than ever, people don’t just want to host an event, they want to wow their guests.

Top five

food and beverage trends for 2022

With more than 40 years in the industry and a portfolio of premium event venues across Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne, The Fresh Collective’s founder and director Peter McCloskey has seen his share of food trends. He shares what’s new and what’s here to stay.

SAFETY FIRST No surprises, there is still a huge focus on hygiene and safety around food service. In a move away from the communal trend that dominated for years prior to COVID, the popularity of grazing tables and buffets are perhaps a thing of the past as we see a shift back to seated and coursed dining.

Canapes and individually boxed dishes are a great opportunity to get creative and entice people to post pics of your event on social media. Playing around with colours, presentation and packaging to create a visual show adds to the overall event experience.

28 Spice Winter 2022

Food & beverage FUTURE FOOD Consumers are more aware than ever of where their food comes from and they expect sustainability in all catering and food preparation services.

At The Fresh Collective, we focus on ethical and sustainable ingredients by using MSC certified seafood, meat that is organic and ethically raised, and free range eggs and poultry.

Incorporating vegan options into event menus is an increasingly popular option and a great way to show your support to the movement.

It’s also important to consider your event’s environmental footprint. We reduce food miles by working with local vendors and producers, our takeaway packaging is 100% biodegradable and compostable, and all cardboard packaging is made from recycled material.

DRINKS THAT PACK A PUNCH Signature cocktails, high-quality alcohol-free options and low-sugar alternatives – event planners are incorporating individual drink preferences worthy of note.

A signature cocktail adds to an event’s wow factor, but we’re also seeing subtle updates, like a traditional cocktail with a new twist. Providing sophisticated choices for alcoholfree guests is also becoming increasingly important. Zeroproof spirits are having their moment, elevating the juice and soft-drink mocktails of the past.

Natural flavours and low-sugar options are on the rise too, with guests seeking beverages with fewer artificial additives and less refined sugar.

FASHIONABLY LATE Where we used to have two months lead time, we’re now being given two weeks to produce an event.

Organisers are hesitant to commit too far ahead as we’ve seen how quickly the pandemic can impact plans. Event registrations are also coming late to the party, with guests uncertain of travel plans and wary of COVID isolation.

A flow on effect for the service industry is the additional pressures this puts on staffing. We are seeing a severe shortage of skilled hospitality staff in NSW which has led to a significant increase in the cost of staffing, which could affect your event’s bottom line. spicenews.com.au 29

Food & beverage

Winter warmers From the sophisticated and sultry to the fun and frivolous, these cosy winter venues will put the fire in your belly.

Gowings Bar and Grill, Sydney gowingsbarandgrill.com.au Since opening as part of QT Sydney in 2012, Gowings Bar and Grill has become a top dining institution for the city and now with renowned chef Sean Connolly at the helm, it’s entered a new era. Inspired by the elegant yet edgy steakhouses and Italian restaurants of New York, Connolly has brought back old school dining with a twist, welcoming guests with the warmth of the open grill kitchen, roaming trolleys for tableside service, and a dash of QT’s signature quirks. The dining room is expansive yet intimate and the space has been brightened up with a bold mix of fashion and art, lending a nod to the heritagelisted building’s department store history and Sean’s passion for punk and pop-culture.

The Italian-influenced menu highlights the finest Australian beef and produce, offering a selection of hand-crafted pastas, fresh seafood and a selection of grilled meats. On the

NSW 30 Spice Winter 2022

beverage front, you’ll have your pick of more than 800 wines, while the newly renovated bar, Gilt, offers the perfect spot for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail. Available for whole venue hire, Gowings can host 120 seated or 250 cocktail. For groups of up to eight, the interactive Chef’s Table experience immerses guests in the theatrics of the kitchen as they dine.

Food & beverage

Stanley, Brisbane stanleyrestaurant.com.au Housed within a heritage-listed building on the riverfront at Howard Smith Wharves, Stanley is undoubtedly one of Brisbane’s most beautiful restaurants. Inspired by Hong Kong’s Stanley Bay, this two-storey Cantonese restaurant features a colonial-meets-oriental inspired design with deep jade-coloured walls, antique light fittings and lanterns, and hand-painted murals. Its range of gorgeous spaces includes an intimate upstairs dining room with adjoining balcony that can be booked exclusively for up to 50 guests, and a private dining room for up to 10 guests which comes complete with its own lift access, bathroom, and dedicated staff. For larger events, Stanley can cater for up to 250 when booked out entirely across all three spaces, including the expansive alfresco terrace which features a retractable roof and outdoor heaters so you can take in the Story Bridge

QLD

and city views on chilly nights. For a more casual affair, there’s other group dining options available that allow you to enjoy the ambience of the restaurant alongside crowd-pleasing banquets.

Connection, Inspired by Nature.

Business Events the Central Coast Way

• • • • •

Conveniently close, yet feels a world away Escape the city and experience nature’s beauty Diverse and unique venue offering Unforgettable team-building experiences Come for business, leave refreshed

Be inspired by our meeting planners guide

Food & beverage

SA Five Regions, Adelaide ovalhotel.com.au/five-regions-restaurant Overlooking Adelaide Oval, Five Regions is a fine dining experience that celebrates the famous five wine regions surrounding Adelaide, alongside exceptional South Australian produce. Each season, a leading winery is selected to present the best of its region, collaborating with the restaurant’s talented culinary team to create a five- or six-course degustation menu led by that region’s ingredients, landscapes and seasonality. Each dish is artfully and elegantly presented, showcasing the beauty of the ingredients which are matched to perfection by the expertly chosen wines. The restaurant is located

The Flour Factory, Perth sneakersandjeans.com.au/theflourfactory If you’re seeking a venue that’s full of fun and colour to brighten up the gloomy winter days, you’ve found it at The Flour Factory.

Dubbed Perth’s most instagrammable spot thanks to its impressive rainbow-coloured ceiling art installation, this historic former flour mill boasts the city’s largest gin collection and a variety of dynamic events spaces. The upstairs Factory Room is a versatile space with its own private entrance, exclusive bar and full AV facilities, accommodating up to 120 seated or 160 cocktail. The ground floor Main Bar can be hired out exclusively for up to 300 pax, or for up to 550 when combined with upstairs. Intimate gatherings of up to 24 seated or 80 cocktail are best accommodated in The Sherry, which is part indoor lounge, part outdoor terrace, and has its own lift access, bar and bathroom.

WA

32 Spice Winter 2022

within Oval Hotel and can cater for up to 80 guests, with music and atmosphere curated to your liking.

Q Events by Metropolis, looks forward to hosting your next corporate event with an exceptional difference.

The venue can be described as an art deco interpretation in a modern city yet, in a humble way. Our philosophy is built around creating memorable dining and entertainment experiences, innovative menus designed using seasonal local produce. We focus on current food and event trends, impeccable service and most importantly, delivering exceptional events that exceed clients and their guests’ expectations at all times.

Location “Q Events” by Metropolis, is located on Queens Street in the heart of the city. The venue is ideally located close to public transport, public parking directly below and for those traveling long distances, preferred accommodation rates are available at the neighbouring hotels.

More than a Space Q events offers a warm and welcoming environment. Complemented by stylish designer interior and contemporary furnishings. Our flexible floor plan with inbuilt drapes and an operable wall accommodates up to 1800 people for a stand-up event or 450+ for a sit-down event.

Audio & Lighting

Whatever your goal might be, we have additional extras that are designed to enhance your event. With multiple screens and an in-house audio-visual team, you can rest assured that your event will run seamlessly.

Food & Beverage We create a range of bespoke menus based on seasonal ingredients, sourced from local suppliers which are perfect for cocktail, sit-down events and conferencing buffets.

World Class Hospitality World class hospitality to us, means creating a culture of service.

At Q Events, we aim to deliver service, that extends beyond your expectations.

Ready to plan your next event?

Enquire: (03) 7020 9000 info@qevents.com.au

123 Queen Street Melbourne

www.qevents.com.au

Food & beverage

Landscape Restaurant and Grill, Hobart landscaperestaurant.com.au Landscape Restaurant and Grill combines its passion for art, music and exceptional food to tantalise all the senses.

Located in the heart of Hobart’s Hunter Street waterfront precinct, the restaurant collaborates on music with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and takes its inspiration from artworks of the Tasmanian colonial landscape, painted by renowned artist John Glover. A selection of these prize-winning pieces adorns the walls of the Private Dining Room, which can host up to 22 guests for predinner canapés followed by a three-course set menu with the option of matched wines. Full buyout can cater to 70 seated for a six-course degustation. The seasonally-led menus showcase the best of Tasmanian ingredients, while the Asado Grill is fired up with sherry, bourbon or port casks to lend a unique flavour to the dishes.

NZ

TAS The Libraries at The Hotel Britomart, Auckland thehotelbritomart.com/thelibraries Featuring a contemporary design that weaves in layers of history and local art, these four elegant yet homely spaces at The Hotel Britomart deliver warm service and personalised food and wine experiences. Adorned with artworks and plush furnishings, The Lounge offers a cosy space for gatherings around its beautiful bar. Oozing rustic charm, the Papuke Room is a flexible space that can host seated dinners or cocktail functions for up to 50 guests. The Wine Library features a floor-to-ceiling wall lined with wine bottles and a stunning hand-crafted glass chandelier over a central kauri table, which can seat up to 12 guests for exclusive wine tastings and private dinners. Finally, the Chef’s Library is a private dining room offering unique and interactive dining experiences for up to eight guests.

Photo credit: Sam Hartnett

34 Spice Winter 2022

CAIRNS & PORT DOUGL AS Hotel bars are a little bit different in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef.

HOL IDAY IN N CA I RN S HA RBOURSIDE Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside has gone green – not with envy, but with wine! The in-house restaurant, Harbourside Bar & Kitchen is Cairns’ first and only natural wine bar. The extensive wine list features over 500 wines from vineyards that are organic or biodynamic, and wineries with ecologically sustainable practices and undertake minimal intervention in the bottling process. ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/cairns/cnshb/ hoteldetail

SH E RATON G RAN D MI RAG E RE S ORT P O RT D O U G L AS Port Douglas is usually known as the location where the rainforest meets the reef, but let’s not forget the sugar cane industry which first brought visitors to the region.

Explore sensational rum cocktails made from local sugar cane, or participate in a rum masterclass in the Daintree Bar. You can also plan a group dinner or meeting break that pays homage to the Italian cane cutters who arrived in the region over 100 years ago. Visit sheratonportdouglas.com to elevate your next event at Australia’s most iconic beachfront resort. sheratonportdouglas.com

L E A RN MORE AT BU SINE S SE V EN T S C A IRNS . OR G . A U

EVENTS ARE

REGISTER NOW www.eventsuncovered.com.au

28 JULY 2022 • SYDNEY MASONIC CENTRE Join to experience a world filled with unlimited creativity and ideas for planning your next event at Events Uncovered, the annual must-attend showcase for event planners like you.

Brought to you by the team behind

Exhibitors

Program

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Explore a range of creative and inspiring exhibitors to take your event to the next level.

Learn about new concepts and gain first-hand knowledge and experience in a friendly environment at the Spice Knowledge Sessions.

Let your hair down at the Wrap Party and get up to some serious networking and a whole lot of fun.

Tickets to the Exhibition are FREE

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Scan to register now!

Associations

Connection

& purpose What do association events look like in the changed world and how can we organise meetings that establish connections, encourage learning and create a legacy? Angela Thompson finds out.

I

n 2020, we adapted to the virtual event. In 2021, we embraced the hybrid event. In 2022, we return to in-person events, but a global mind shift is dictating a new generation of events that seek deeper connections and purpose.

Value of connections Events and conferences are a prized offering for associations. Most associations run at least one conference, trade show, or major event on an annual basis and it’s a key drawcard for members.

While virtual and online events served their purpose in keeping people connected and providing services to members, Melbourne Associations Forum representative and association advisor, Dr. Andrew Gosbell says it’s clear there is a strong desire for people to return to in-person events.

“What the virtual environment lacks is that connection, that network, that peer-to-peer interaction. You can’t do that as effectively online – it 38 Spice Winter 2022

was tried and there were some things that kind of worked and kind of didn’t work, but it was a little contrived in a way,” Dr. Gosbell says.

He believes events are an important factor in how an association is perceived and how it engages with its members.

“Events are a valued service to members and provide an important platform for the association to engage and connect. Members are looking for the opportunity to experience and learn with their colleagues.

“The limited ability to hold in-person events triggered strategic considerations for many associations on the purpose-value proposition and delivery of the broad range of events that associations offer their members.

“Of course, there’s a bottom line too, through registration, exhibition and sponsorship. The conference is a major revenue source for the vast majority of associations, so it’s a very important component of the association space and will continue to be.”

Associations Future of associations So, what are the best practice tips for event professionals working in this space moving forward?

“Events are a valued service to members and provide an important platform for the association to engage and connect.”

– Dr. Andrew Gosbell

Hybrid

On the roadmap to recovery, the hybrid event provided event planners the opportunity for an inclusive event experience, for those who could attend in-person and for those impacted by COVID restrictions or health concerns.

The 2022 Association Membership and Services Survey, conducted by the Associations Forum, found 40 percent of respondents were delivering hybrid events that allowed both face-to-face and online attendance. But is the format sustainable?

“A strong theme coming out of our conference [Associations Forum National Conference, held 11-12 April in Melbourne], is that 2022 is a bit of a litmus test for hybrid events – to some extent, event managers are trying to find a middle ground,” says Dr Gosbell.

“The view is that organising a hybrid event is really organising two events in one and that’s a significant increase in workload and cost.”

Flexibility

Flexibility and agility remains a key priority for event planners, as scheduling issues and cancellations continue to impact speaker programs and delegate registrations.

According to the Association Forum’s survey, 56.6 percent of respondents had cancelled an event and 57.6 percent had postponed an event.

“You need a whole bunch of contingencies in place because speakers, delegates and staff are potentially all going to be impacted by COVID-19 and may, at the very last minute, not be able to come, which adds another layer of complexity to planning an event,” says Dr Gosbell.

The pattern of late registrations is set to continue, with uncertainty around attendance, airlines and border restrictions still a top consideration for delegates. A flexible approach to managing cancellations is paramount. ➤

Associations

“The concept of a cookie-cutter approach will be challenged and therefore the offering will provide a much more specialised ROI back to the delegate and organisation.”

– Andrew Hiebl

Event Experience Previously, the education components of an event program were a major focus and Dr. Gosbell believes that whilst this is still an important factor, how associations leverage the experience of it is important moving forward.

“We’ve seen through the pandemic that education and program content can be delivered reasonably successfully online. I think it’s re-emphasised the need to balance the program with the conference experience to give delegates that ‘wow’ factor and make them feel like they gained multiple takeaways,” he says.

“Event planners should consider how best their destination, venue and program can facilitate these key aspects of the in-person event experience.”

Association of Australian Convention Bureaux chief executive officer, Andrew Hiebl thinks there will be a lot more consideration around the purpose of the event.

“The concept of a cookie-cutter approach will be challenged and therefore the offering will provide a much more specialised ROI back to the delegate and organisation. I think there will be a bit more scrutiny on what activities businesses will send their staff to,” Hiebl says.

Location considerations What are the important factors to consider when deciding on a destination and venue in 2022?

40 Spice Winter 2022

Hiebl believes there is a mutual obligation between associations and destination bureaus to grow industries and strive for legacy.

“Depending on the industry sector of the association, their purpose of having conferences is to share education and enable growth in their industry sector. Likewise, the key interest of destination bureaus is to grow those industries in their backyard.”

Hiebl says challenges around delegate numbers will open the door for regional destinations, as some of the larger conferences can expect to be smaller this year. The added appeal for regional locations is the perception of health benefits and access to the outdoors.

If membership is primarily located in the city, he predicts hotels will benefit in the recovery process.

“We did a review of the big wins in 2019 and just over half went to hotel venues. On average, the scale of events that went into hotels was about 150 people, whereas the average size of association business events in general that bureaus facilitated both international and domestic was around about 350 people.”

As association events continue to find their feet over the next 12 months, Hiebl says the potential for some to be slightly smaller will favour hotel venues, which will provide a springboard in the hotels’ recovery.

Membership recovery Hiebl believes associations are created and established out of passion rather than purely a business standpoint. Whilst the pandemic bolstered some associations as members sought security and support, other industry associations have been crippled.

“The challenge with the visitor economy associations is that the businesses, whether large or small, were absolutely smashed or closed down over lockdown periods, so being able to afford or consider memberships as a priority wasn’t really there,” he says.

“From a business events perspective, while we’re in recovery, I certainly think that the cashflow of businesses has been so significantly hit that it will take at least the next financial year for membership recovery to start coming to pre-pandemic numbers.

This also depends on what the membership is targeting and what the association is offering.”

Dr. Gosbell thinks that ultimately, events must be something that association members value and want to attend.

“Understanding your association’s membership, meeting their needs, and communicating and marketing appropriately will always be important elements to successful association events.” n

S E C U R E D R E A M

Y O U R K E Y N O T E

S P E A K E R Business Events Perth is offering up to AUD25,000* to help secure extraordinary keynote speakers for national and international business events.

The right keynote speaker can inspire and motivate a conference audience, and a high-profile personality is often a decision-making factor for delegates to attend a business event.

For a limited time, Business Events Perth is offering funding to help business event planners secure an outstanding headline speaker.

Find out more at www.businesseventsperth.com *TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY

Elizabeth Quay, Perth

Advertorial Salt House

RAISING THE BAR in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

The bar scene in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef is as hot as the tropical sun.

Laneway bars, distilleries, micro-breweries overlooking a sugar cane field, cocktail lounges, and rooftop bars are ready to welcome delegates.

H

ow do you find the perfect spot for a catch up with an industry friend you haven’t seen since the last event?

Where can you debrief with colleagues about the breakout sessions before heading to the gala dinner? When do you pull up stumps, and grab a quiet moment to yourself in a dimly lit corner with a stiff drink after networking all day? Cairns & Great Barrier Reef has a bar fit for every occasion, whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, beer buff, gin junkie or simply love a glass of wine with a view.

BAR36 Round up colleagues after the gala dinner and head to the dance floor at BAR36. With live music most nights of the week, celebrations can continue long after the CEO has gone to bed. BAR36 at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino has a mix of tables and lounge-style seating, so you'll be comfy off the dance floor as well.

Barbados Port Douglas The award-winning Barbados Port Douglas overlooks the Coral Sea and in true Caribbean-style, you can lounge back with a signature rum cocktail on one of their many daybeds.

Relax as the sun disappears over the mountains and the boats drift into the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina after reefing all day.

Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook With its plethora of indoor hanging plants, and more natural light than you can possibly fit into a photo Boardwalk Social 42 Spice Winter 2022

at Crystalbrook Flynn is the place to be. Less standalone bar and more market-inspired precinct, forget what you know of hotel bars because this one bucks the trend. You’ll find 36 beers on tap and 40 gins catering to a broad palette.

Flamingos Say Aloha to Flamingos Tiki Bar, Cairns’ own modern interpretation of a Polynesian bar, hiding beneath street level on the Esplanade. Their extensive cocktail menu features beverages served in glassware as Instagrammable as the small bar itself. They sum it up perfectly themselves "more than just a liqwuid, our drinks are an experience".

Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf & Port Douglas Not all heroes wear capes – some drink 7th Heaven Tropical Ale and save the reef. Ordering a schooner at Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf or Port Douglas helps reef research with 50% of the profits from their Tropical Ale donated to the Great Barrier Reef Legacy.

Iron Bar Port Douglas Iron Bar is as iconic to Port Douglas as the palm trees lining the driveway to Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. Found in the middle of Macrossan Street, you are guaranteed to take home a story or two from your visit to the bar clad in rusted corrugated iron. Traditionally a steakhouse restaurant, as the sun goes down the vibe goes up - don't be surprised if you catch a round of cane toad racing.

Advertorial

Wolf Lane Distillery

Three Wolves

Sauce Brewing Co Sauce pours liquid gold (aka craft beers) from their Cairns brewpub.

Stocking all their favourite indie brews – Hopsauce pale ale, Caribbean Fog hazy pale ale and Simples premium lager (to name a few). Pull up a stool and taste the small-batch difference.

The Backyard

Rocco By Crystalbrook

Jimmy Rum’s Mixing Lounge A dark and mysterious prohibition style bar, Jimmy Rum’s Mixing Lounge in Port Douglas will impress with their selection of speciality drinks. Minimising wastage is a huge part of the lounge’s philosophy, with staff encouraged to be creative with ingredients that would otherwise be thrown away.

Oak & Vine If you like the idea of enjoying a brew with a view, take the elevator to the rooftop of Oaks Cairns to find Oak & Vine.

Making the most of its Coral Sea frontage, Oak & Vine draws a crowd with some of the best views in Cairns served up alongside Peruvian share plates, signature cocktails and a selection of artisan gins.

Rocco By Crystalbrook Cairns’ highest bar, Rocco, at the top of Crystalbrook Riley, is the Mediterranean jewel in the five-star hotel’s crown. Soak up panoramic views of the Coral Sea and Cairns Esplanade from its 12th floor location. While you might be happy sharing the tapas menu, Rocco’s cocktails are best savoured solo.

Salt House It doesn’t get better than the waterfront Salt House at Cairns Marlin Marina. Every table has a view of Trinity Inlet, the Coral Sea and Cairns’ surrounding mountains from its modern, boatshed design. Head straight to the bar section with its day beds, ponds and fire features.

The Backyard is not your typical hotel bar, attracting more than the Shangri-La Cairns’ in-house guests with its converted shipping container bar, relaxed alfresco vibe, and ocean breezes. Pick one of the grassed, paved or gravel levels to sip under festoon lights and point out which yacht should be yours.

The Conservatory Bar With 350 different drops on the menu, the collection at The Conservatory Bar speaks to the owner’s experience in the industry. Resembling a traditional Queenslander on the outside, inside you’ll be met with chandeliers and chesterfields, creating a cosy speakeasy vibe.

Three Wolves At the end of an unassuming lane flanked by red brick walls, delegates will discover premium small bar, Three Wolves. An intimate bar in Cairns CBD serving speciality whiskey with tapas, wine and cocktails. Founded by The Wolf Pack, Three Wolves is one of many boutique bars dotted around the region, hand crafted by the group.

Whiskey & Wine by Crystalbrook Putting a modern spin on the classic whiskey and wine garden, and taking its name in the process, this second-level bar sets Crystalbrook Flynn apart from the rest. Whiskey & Wine by Crystalbrook has local and imported wines satisfy every palette, and with an expansive whiskey selection and cocktail blends, delegates will be left spoilt for choice.

Wolf Lane Distillery Bounce across the lane from Three Wolves to Wolf Lane Distillery for an award-winning house-made gin. Meet the makers behind the heavyset wooden double doors, and taste test the tropics with spirits infused with mango, grapefruit, finger lime and davidson plum inside a converted 1900s horse stable. That's where all good gin is made, right? n spicenews.com.au 43

Destinations

MEET ME IN

Australia’s capital of cool shows no signs of slowing down with exciting new venues and dynamic experiences.

MELBOURNE Stay

Pan Pacific Melbourne Situated right across Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, this upscale hotel offers comfort and convenience for busy delegates. Its spacious accommodations are wellappointed with plush king size bed, generous marble bathroom with walk-in shower and bath, work area, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking over Port Phillip Bay or the Yarra River and city.

Check into a Pacific Club room and live it up in the exclusive club lounge on level four with delicious buffet breakfast spreads, allday refreshments, evening drinks and canapés, and more.

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ACMI

Little Bourke Street

44 Spice Winter 2022

Explore the wondrous world of screen culture at ACMI. This fascinating museum in the heart of Federation Square features an exciting calendar of exhibitions, screenings, festivals, guided tours, and industry and educational programs. In 2019, ACMI underwent a $40 million transformation which enhanced its spaces to be more open and inclusive, as well as introduced a new contemporary restaurant and wine bar, new cinemas dedicated to Australian and international screen culture, learning and media preservation labs, and a series of versatile spaces for all kinds of private functions and events, for up to 700 guests.

Book an exclusive event to remember with after hours access to Light: Works from the Tate Collection at ACMI. Exceptional food by Karen Martini and HospitalityM with cocktail, drinks or sit down dining options throughout our recently redeveloped museum.

Contact us today events@acmi.net.au

Destinations Eat

Play

Hero at ACMI

The Blender Studios

Hero is ACMI’s contemporary all-day restaurant created to bring people together over ideas of food, film, art and music. Helmed by esteemed chef Karen Martini, the a-la-carte menu takes its cue from the seasons to highlight quality Victorian ingredients with a European twist, while the beverage offering features innovative cocktails and an impressive wine list curated by wine expert Philip Rich. Hero also does all the catering for events at ACMI and can also be hired as an events space itself, seating 150 people inside with an additional outdoor area for 100.

Since 2001, The Blender Studios has been a prominent hub for Melbourne’s street art movement with many of the city’s most well-known artists being associated with the art complex. It currently hosts more than 24 resident artists in its open studio space and is open to the public to check out its artworks and exhibitions, see artists at work, join a tour, or try their hand at a graffiti art workshop. Some areas can also be hired out for private events, offering a creatively immersive space with a quintessentially Melburnian edge.

Fly

Meet

Global Ballooning

Q Events by Metropolis

There’s few things more invigorating than soaring above the Victorian countryside in a hot air balloon as the sun rises over the hills. Global Ballooning offers a truly memorable experience with regular flights over Melbourne, Yarra Valley and Mansfield. Perfect for team building and incentives, the balloons can take up to 22 people per basket, with flights lasting an hour. A wonderful way to start the day, The Yarra Valley flight rises with the sun and takes in spectacular views of rolling countryside and vineyards before finishing off with a champagne breakfast at Balgownie Estate.

With touches of art deco glamour and a superb city centre location, Q Events is well suited to any type of event, from gala dinners and awards nights to conferences and cocktail functions.

Situated opposite Melbourne’s iconic laneways and architectural buildings, this flexible venue can accommodate up to 1,800 guests cocktail and more than 450 seated, while inbuilt drapes and an operable wall offer a more intimate environment for smaller functions. There's also The Valiant cocktail bar with adjoining terrace, perfect for welcome drinks overlooking the leafy streetscape.

Foodie Trails Melbourne is home to a melting pot of cultures, with every wave of migration bringing with them the flavours of their homeland. Discover the vibrant flavours of this multicultural metropolis with a Foodie Trails cultural food walking tour.

Starting with a visit to the Immigration Museum, the four-hour journey consists of a progressive tasting through five stops in the CBD area and a wander through local spice shops, while learning about the local migrant communities and their contribution to Melbourne’s rich cultural offerings. For a handson experience, try an authentic cooking class which explores different spices, ingredients, techniques and recipes that have been passed down for generations.

46 Spice Winter 2022

Melbourne’s most exciting premium event space with the city’s most impressive views A New York loft-style space featuring a 17-metre internal dome ceiling, 9-metre-high windows. An all-weather outdoor terrace, and state of the art audio visual technology.

Metropolis Events is Melbourne’s most exciting premium event space. This unique venue exudes luxury, style and sophistication from the moment your guests enter the space.

Location

Metropolis Events is conveniently positioned on Southbank. Starring direct access to public car parking below and in close proximity to Flinders Street Station, St Kilda Road trams and Water Taxis.

Memorable Dining Experience

With a focus on delivering a memorable dining experience and restaurant quality food. Our team of experienced in-house Chefs specialise in bespoke menus to make your event unforgettable.

Flexible Floor Plan

Featuring a flexible floor plan, inbuilt drapes and an operable wall, Metropolis Events is a versatile space ideal for any type of event. Accommodating up to 1100 people as a cocktail style event or up to 400 for a sit-down event.

Dedicated events planner

Our dedicated team of events specialists will work with you to create a tailor-made event experience to meet your objectives.

Audio & Lighting

With a range of lighting and audio options available you will also have access to our tech specialists to ensure that your event runs smoothly.

Ready to plan your next event?

Enquire: (03) 8537 7300 info@metropolisevents.com.au Level 4/3 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006

metropolisevents.com.au

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