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While the most overused adjective to describe a venue is without doubt unique, the fact of the matter is that this is what event planners want. As meetings and events continue to gain importance for corporations and associations, it is logical therefore to believe that more are being held annually. The more events there are the greater the desire to create a point of difference from one to the other. And that’s where unique venues come in. In the UK, almost one in five of all facilities registered with the British Association of Conference Destinations are classified as unique venues. This equates to 440 conference destinations, a number which is believed to be on the increase.

Backdrops Fantastic
Whether you want to be stranded on a lush tropical island, living it up in Las Vegas or dining in Dracula’s Castle – Backdrops Fantastic Australia can take you there. Based on the Gold Coast, Backdrops Fantastic rent one-of-a-kind theme backdrops for corporate events, gala awards and event productions. The backdrops are the first layer in creating the perfect themed event, according to sales consultant, Valerie Ling.
“You can install a backdrop before positioning tables, placing centre-pieces or dimming the lights and immediately you can set the tone for the entire event.
“Created specifically with the event professional in mind, we design backdrops that are easy to use and adjustable in height,” Ms Ling says.
“Many clients are working in ballrooms with only a three metre to five metre ceiling height, so we create adjustable backdrops using removable sections.”
Each backdrop consists of a series of sectional panels with invisible seams that are zipped together so that no matter the height option needed, the image on the front of the drop is never compromised.
“Quality, consistency and innovative designs are our main objectives in producing our backdrops.”
Backdrops Fantastic has also created a number of custom backdrops based on specific requests.
“What we are all about is servicing the client, giving plenty of options, a great selection, reliable shipping and most importantly a fantastic product.”
Backdrops Fantastic has more than 500 themed backdrops available for hire ranging from historical eras, international cities, gala award themes and even Christmas. Every backdrop is hand painted by a team of 14 scenic artists and treated with industry standard fire retardants. In peak times the company, which has been in operation in Australia for three years, has access to its international offices’ inventory in the United States and South Africa – where the backdrops are made. For more information visit www.backdrops.com.au.

Doltone House
Doltone House is a unique heritage restaurant situated on the historic finger wharf at the restored Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont Point. This spectacular waterfront location on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour provides guests with views of the Harbour Bridge, city skyline and Darling Harbour precinct. A loft design, Doltone House incorporates a blend of heritage and contemporary features. The interior introduces touches to celebrate the building’s rich historical elements appreciating its original design and structure. Main features of the decor are the original steel and timber trusses along with the large heritage cargo doors. The perimeter of the glass enclosure features cavity up-lighting to emphasise this original heritage charm.
Its colour scheme of warm chocolate and taupe, along with the great ambience and aesthetic appeal of its restaurant make guests feel relaxed and comfortable. Doltone House occupies two prime venues owned and managed privately as a family run business.
The unique venue offers a-la-carte as well as private dining for between 10 and 500 guests. The venue offers a diversity of cuisine and international tastes, helping to deliver memorable feasts and culinary bursts of flavour for every event. Staging Connections manages the technology of the venue, ensuring quality productions are easily achieved.

Brisbane City Hall
If you’re planning a meeting or event in Brisbane it’s hard to go past Brisbane City Hall for its ambience.
Brisbane City Hall is an elegant heritage-listed function venue located in the city centre. Built during the 1920s, City Hall is an historical venue offering world-class facilities ideal for a range of special events and meetings. As well as seven function rooms inside, the property overlooks King George Square, which regularly caters for a variety of outdoor events. Pre-event cocktails are popular in the square prior to guests entering the building. Its grandeur is the ideal backdrop for product launches, awards nights, gala events, fundraising balls and special events with a difference.
The impressive Main Auditorium can seat up to 800 for gala dinners or hold 1000 people for cocktails. Often, the Main Auditorium is used without any theming to make the most of its unique character. Along with its ability to seat large numbers the Main Auditorium can accommodate up to 70 exhibition booths. 
In-house function specialists offer a complete service including audio visual, catering, entertainment and theming. The Brisbane City Hall team delights in paying attention to the finest detail – from first point of contact through to successful completion of events. City Hall is conveniently located near Brisbane’s shopping precinct, major hotels and parking and is easily accessible by public transport. Brisbane City Hall successfully combines location, culture, historic character and modern infrastructure to make it a special, unique venue.

Marriner Theatre Events
Marriner Theatre Events is made up of five stunningly restored historic venues including the Regent Theatre, Plaza Ballroom, Princess Theatre, Forum Melbourne and the Comedy Theatre. Opened in 1929, the breathtaking Plaza Ballroom is able to accommodate up to 500 for a banquet dinner, 1500 for cocktail receptions and 800 for conferencing. The opulent Regent Theatre has a capacity of up to 2200 for conferences and also features two decadently appointed private suites which overlook Collins Street and are ideal for intimate dinners for up to 60 people. The landmark Princess Theatre offers the ultimate venue for spectacular ‘on-stage’ events with the ability to do exclusive dinners for up to 160 or cocktail receptions for up to 400. There are also two private suites which are perfect for smaller events. The Forum Melbourne, famous for its cobalt blue domed ceiling, is able to accommodate cocktail receptions of up to 1000 guests.

Dockside Group
L’Aqua is a modern, stylish and unique function facility specifically designed for the meetings, incentive, convention and events market, and wedding market. Superbly located, the venue is on the roof terrace level of Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour Complex overlooking Darling Harbour. In its fifth year of operation, L’Aqua has built a sound reputation of presenting restaurant quality cuisine in a function environment. In previous years L’Aqua had been operating as premium quality restaurants (Ampersand and Liberte). This high-end reputation has remained. Featuring two independent function rooms with the ability to open as one large venue, L’Aqua is well suited to presentation breakfasts, lunches, product launches, gala dinners, meetings and private functions. Capacity for the entire venue is from as few as 30 guests to a maximum 170 for a dinner and dance or 500 for a cocktail party. The venue includes up-to-date audio visual facilities and superior lighting and blackout options perfect for corporate presentations.
The WatervieW Convention Centre at Bicentennial Park in Sydney is another unique venue by the Dockside Group, and was officially opened in September, 2005. The multi-function convention centre within the Sydney Olympic Park precinct features a pillarless function room capable of seating up to 960 delegates or 2000 for cocktails. It can also be divided into eight meeting rooms, features a 180-seat restaurant and bar, a 22-seat café, and a modern and stylish boardroom. There is also free parking for up to 200 cars. Surrounded by 40 hectares of parklands, WatervieW is the newest venue being operated by the Dockside Group. The Dockside Group is the renowned catering company behind the award-winning Sydney Harbour venues Dockside, WatersEdge and of course, L’Aqua. Dockside group project manager Maeve Chomphunut said WatervieW has several different target markets.
“A lot of research went into going out to the park,” Ms Chomphunut said.
“Our directors were part of the whole Darling Harbour, Cockle Bay development. With the opening of Dockside that area just went from strength to strength. We see this development being a very similar situation. Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Bicentennial Park are just waiting to take off with the infrastructure that’s going up there. Give this another 10 years and this will be another Darling Harbour.”
“There’s so much potential. We can set up a semi-permanent marquee for up to 1000 people. The opportunities are endless.”

SUVA celebrates 10 years
SUVA celebrated 10 years in existence on July 25 - Australia’s first unique venues association. Sydney’s Unique Venues Association (SUVA) is a collaboration of 54 unique venues in and around Sydney that specialise in making unique locations available for any event – wedding receptions, cocktail parties, gala dinners, corporate hospitality, film and TV shoots, conferences, meetings and incentives. SUVA is a non-profit association run by eight Sydney event specialists and venue managers. The current committee is headed by Bruce Ferguson, SUVA President from the Museum of Contemporary Art together with Daniel Canham, SUVA educationals (AJC Convention Centre); Edwina Loiterton, SUVA marketing (Australian National Maritime Museum); Amanda Fotheringham, SUVA treasurer (Australian Technology Park); Mark Connolly, SUVA website administrator (Australian Museum); Fiona Bennett, SUVA membership (Powerhouse Museum); Luke Griffin, SUVA printed guide; Victoria Chanceller, SUVA secretary (Luna Park); and Susan Wild, SUVA marketing (NSW Trade & Investment Centre). Currently SUVA manage an online directory service www.suva.com.au and a printed directory, the SUVA Guide or the “little black book” that illustrates the enormous variety of unique venues that Sydney has to offer. Incorporating a selection of more than 314 different function areas and spaces, both directories contain all the information you need to select the venue for your next special event. SUVA can also provide you with the latest information on brand new Sydney venues as well as keep you up to date on our historic spaces too. SUVA is growing too – with Brisbane’s Unique Venues Association (BUVA) launched in early 2005 and more on the way. For further information contact Bruce Ferguson on bferguson@mca.com.au or info@suva.com.au.