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The face of Canberra is evolving and it can only mean better business for the conference and incentive industry. Canberra Convention Bureau chief executive Robyn Hendry says the capital city’s infrastructure is undergoing massive redevelopment.
“It’s all systems go for Canberra, one would say,” Ms Hendry said.

One of the most significant changes will be to the National Convention Centre with a $30 million upgrade scheduled to begin in February 2007, which will close the centre for eight months. Set to reopen at the end of September next year, the centre will be completely renovated.

“It’s not going to change the capacity, but it will improve the quality of the centre, like the aesthetics, the technology, and security, because it’s about 15 years old.”
Ms Hendry said the bureau has had to work through the impending closure with the industry to relocate some events already booked.
“It has been difficult but interestingly people have been really sympathetic to the requirements of that. It has been surprisingly a co-operative effort between industry and clients,” Ms Hendry said.
“People have said it’s quite brave (to close the centre) but I think it’s even braver to continue booking events through a renovation. We know that noise and conferences don’t mix.”
She said clients are being extremely flexible and are using other venues during the closure. Another development is the $300 million Canberra Airport upgrade with the expansion of the airport’s runways already underway. The aim is to be able to handle international flights other than charters. There will also be an upgrade and expansion of the terminal facility. Then there’s the Doma group five-star hotel currently being built near Parliament. The hotel will feature a conference facility for up to 600 delegates and is scheduled to open in 2007.

Further infrastructure recently built in the city includes a brand depot factory outlet shopping mall which opened in July. Similar to Harbour Town on the Gold Coast and DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) in Sydney’s Homebush, the mall was almost fully leased at the time of going to press.
“That will have a regional attraction as well so that’s significant.”
Perhaps some of the most exciting developments are with the dozens of cultural attractions handed funding in the latest Federal Government budget. For example a new Portrait Gallery is to be built while the original at Parliament House will be replaced with a new exhibit called The Gallery of Australian Democracy. There are major plans for the National Gallery of Australia, Questacon science centre and various other attractions in the city.

Meanwhile the outlook for the end of 2007 and for 2008 is very strong, according to Ms Hendry, who believes one of Canberra’s best assets is the industry’s ability to collaborate.
“The thing that I think is the most striking about Canberra is the collaborative entrepreneurship which is like nowhere else. The amount of co-operation work done to attract business to Canberra is second-to-none. That’s what makes Canberra very cutting edge.”

National Convention Centre
The National Convention Centre is Canberra’s only purpose-built venue. With the additional facilities of the Crowne Plaza Canberra, the complex caters for events of five to 2500 delegates. It features five theatres, seven flat floor rooms, exhibition space of 2400sqm which can house 120 standard booths, a ballroom and plenty of boardrooms. A $30 million refurbishment of the centre will begin in February 2007, when it will be closed for eight months. The work is being paid for by the State Government and is scheduled to be complete by the end of September next year. Telephone Crowne Plaza Canberra on (02) 6257 4905, or visit www.nccc.com.au.

Crowne Plaza Canberra
Overlooking landscaped gardens and the historic Glebe Park, Crowne Plaza Canberra is located in the heart of Australia’s capital city. Minutes from the central business district, shops and restaurants, Crowne Plaza can cater for up to 120 guests either at a meeting, conference or dinner. The four-and-a-half star hotel has 295 accommodation rooms and is also located next door to the Casino Canberra and the National Convention Centre. For more information telephone (02) 6247 8999 or visit www.crowneplaza.com.au.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra
A 1920’s Art Deco hotel nestled in Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle, Hyatt Canberra has 249 rooms and can hold up to 500 people theatre-style in its Federation Ballroom. However at the five-star Hyatt clients are not limited to one venue and options for conference meetings, dinners, accommodation and launches are varied. Dining options include the Promenade Café plus Speakers Corner Bar and Hamilton’s at Hyatt Cigar Lounge. Telephone (02) 6270 1234, email canberra@hyatt.com.au or visit www.canberra.park.hyatt.com.

Novotel Canberra
As the city’s premier four-star hotel the Novotel Canberra, located in the heart of the CBD and retail precinct, is only eight kilometers from Canberra Airport. The hotel features 197 rooms and six conference rooms, plus a range of excellent corporate and leisure facilities including a heated pool, gym, business centre, the lovely Blue Dish Restaurant, and Tonic Bar. For more information telephone (02) 6245 5000, email H2796-SB01@accor.com or visit http://www.novotelcanberrahotel.com.au.

Rydges Capital Hill
Rydges Capital Hill is situated in the prestigious Parliamentary Triangle and is within walking distance to the fashionable shopping and café district of Manuka. The hotel features 186 guest rooms including 37 suites with spas. Its conference facilities include nine meeting rooms catering for up to 400 people, breakout space, and a grand marquee. Telephone (02) 6295 3144, email reservations_capitalhill@rydges.com or visit www.rydges.com/capitalhill.

National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia combines state-of-the-art technology with hands-on exhibitions so visitors can actually experience the history of Australia. Visitors can celebrate the icons of Australia including vegemite, kangaroos, and the Hills Hoist, view 20,000 years of environmental change brought to life in the rock art of Kakadu, be immersed in indigenous dance and music, or imagine being at Sydney Cove after the arrival of the First Fleet. The museum also features a waterfront restaurant called Axis which has spectacular views over Lake Burley Griffin, plus two cafes and a museum shop offering a unique collection of arts and crafts, books, music and learning toys for children. For more information telephone (02) 6208 5000, email bookings@nma.gov.au or visit www.nma.gov.au.

Australian Institute of Sport
Visitors to the Australian Institute of Sport can catch a glimpse of life as an athlete and watch and learn how they train. The AIS campus, just 10 minutes from Canberra’s city centre, is home to a unique group of international sporting facilities with a world-class sport science and sports medicine facility and accommodation for more than 350 resident and visiting athletes. The visitor centre includes a sport exhibition, Sportex, where you can test your sporting skills with some interactive fun, before checking out the sporting Hall of Fame. For more information contact the Australian Sports Commission on (02) 6214 1252, or visit www.ais.org.au or www.ausport.gov.au.

Parliament House
A tour of Canberra’s Parliament House will reveal the inner workings of government. Visitors can sneak a peak at the House from 9am to 5pm on non-sitting days and 9am to House rise on sitting days. There is a free guide service or guided tours. Free tours occur every half hour from 9am. The day’s proceedings in both the House of Representatives and the Senate can be seen from the Public Galleries in the Chambers whenever the Houses are in session. At other times when Parliament House is open visitors may view the Public Galleries. To book tickets telephone (02) 6277 4889 before 12.30pm on the day required. Those who do not book tickets are generally able to view Question Time (a must see) by arriving prior to 2.00pm. For more information checkout www.aph.gov.au.