THERE ARE PLENTY OF REASONS to hold a conference in regional New South Wales starting with giving delegates a fresh perspective

discover the region

Ideal for meeting planners and delegates, Regional New South Wales offers a variation on the everyday conference. And when the location of a meeting does a lot to determine its outcome, meeting planners are increasingly finding the region also offers cost effective solutions to their meeting needs. The rich and diverse regions of NSW, such as the vibrant Coffs Coast, the stunning Eurobodalla Nature Coast and Bateman’s Bay, along with quaint Mudgee, provide delegates with a host of experiences not to be found in the cities. With a gentler pace and far more serene surroundings than major urban sprawls, meeting in Regional NSW does not mean a drop in service standards. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The region’s relaxed lifestyle is complemented by well-reputed chain hotels and resorts, and serviced by up-to-date facilities and excellent on-the-ground personnel. Many towns have professional meeting and event managers, as well as exhibition hire companies trained in the smooth management of tradeshows. Smaller venues are well equipped to meet the requirements for audio visual and staging support or can efficiently source them from larger centres. Of course the policies and procedures of the large hotel groups ensure conference service consistency while delegates can be assured that partners and families will have a wonderful break.With such a close proximity to Sydney, between a two and six hour drive, the region is not only easy to access via highways thanks to improved infrastructure, but many of the destinations – particularly Coffs Coast – are well serviced by daily flights. Comfortable rail services are also available and make for a relaxing way to view some of the scenery. The regions in NSW take pride in their wondrous backdrops, and many celebrate a season’s end with festivals. These events can be incorporated into a conference program while many centres have entertainers and local identities who can provide delegates with a perspective of the area’s history and tradition, in a way that could be relevant to the meeting. At the same time many of Australia’s greatest sports people have their lives and work on show in the museums and sportsgrounds across the region, having hailed from country NSW, or being in a team based there. Many centres also celebrate their new primary industries such as olives, organic produce or wine. And getting there can be half the fun, on for example an historic DC3 plane or a vintage train. Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau marketing general manager Karen Bolinger said conference and incentive destinations outside Sydney are leading the way when it comes to growing business outside Australia’s capitals.“Many of the regional convention bureau in NSW have now reached maturity in terms of their product, know-how and professionalism, and that’s being reflected in increasing interest in staging regional events,” Ms Bolinger said.“The regions are showing greater energy in marketing themselves, winning events and luring groups out of Sydney. Not only are they hosting more events of their own, it’s now common to find Sydney-based events with a significant regional touring component attached.”Ms Bolinger said convention bureau in regions like Albury-Wodonga, Armidale, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains were among Australia’s best in securing events. “They have good facilities, good product and they know what they’re doing,” Ms Bolinger said.

The quaint town of Mudgee is on the brink of becoming the next regional destination for conferences and incentives.

Two-and-a-half hours drive from Penrith, or at the most four hours from central Sydney, is the delightful town of Mudgee. Literally named after its outlook, Mudgee – meaning nestled in the hills – is exactly that, surrounded by rolling green pastures and fresh country air. With a population of about 9000, Mudgee is home to many skilled food and wine producers, with 40 cellar doors in the area alone. Not only is the town well-liked for its wineries, but it also produces a diverse range of foods, everything from hazelnuts and relishes to venison, olives and olive oils. It even holds the annual Olive Oil Tasting Awards. Mudgee Gulgong Tourism Inc chief executive officer Pip Estalley says Mudgee, while a well-known tourist spot, is just now opening itself up to the conference and incentive market. “We have a few conferences booked in and it’s all just happened without us doing any marketing.”Realising the value of business tourism, Mudgee Gulgong has just joined the New South Wales Convention Bureau and is now working on a meetings planner for the area, to be released next year. “People in the industry have seen it as a nice place to come for a conference.”Miss Estalley said Mudgee is at a stage now where it is not commercialised, making it a breath of fresh air for delegates. “It’s not over the top. It offers the elements of discovery and escape – these are two of its strong points. It’s a very attractive place to visit.”While prominent on the tourism scene, Mudgee is also a much loved area by its local inhabitants. “There’s a lovely local culture as well.”Plenty of artists have made their home in Mudgee, giving exhibitions at wine galleries and restaurants. And for the whole month of September Mudgee is immersed in an arts festival.“Once a year we have our own celebration here and it’s really a good time to visit because it really is Mudgee showing off.”During the rest of the year Miss Estalley says there is always an event going on in Mudgee, whether it’s the Farmers Market once a month, or some kind of exhibition or concert on the weekend. Plus there’s the surrounding parklands to visit.“There’s always something to do.”For conferencing Mudgee has a number of venues including the Country Comfort Parklands Resort and Conference Centre which can cater for between 10 and 1200 delegates. At the other end of the scale is Simon Gilbert Wines, perfect for smaller functions and dinners, and with a boardroom for exclusive meetings. There’s also the smaller towns of Gulgong and Rylstone, which are set higher in the hills than Mudgee and produce a cooler climate wine. These towns are already being considered for partner programs.“Rylstone is a bit of a surprise package. They have some really good little restaurants tucked away there.”

For more information visit www.mudgee.org and stay tuned for the new conference planner.

NURTURE yourself on the Nature Coast story By Natalie Aakoorie
Sand, surf, great food and a relaxed atmosphere describes Eurobodalla.
Conference organisers considering Eurobodalla for their next conference, corporate meeting or retreat have a diverse range of venues to choose from. The conference industry in Eurobodalla has experienced significant growth in the past few years and new venues, refurbishment’s and renovations of older venues provide many options. Conferences for up to 400 delegates can be easily managed in this region. It’s also easy to organise something a bit different on the Nature Coast, about three-and-a-half hours drive south of Sydney and taking in Batemans Bay, Moruya, and Narooma. Marquees on the beach, oyster tasting on the river, village street parties, kayaking tours on wetlands and surf coaching are some of the add-ons popular with conference organisers. When the NSW Coastal Conference was held at Narooma Golf Club recently, organisers incorporated tours on the Wagonga Inlet and out to Montague Island. The local surf school offered late afternoon surf lessons to delegates and the heritage village of Central Village Tilba hosted a successful and unique conference dinner for 250.

According to Eurobodalla Coast Convention Bureau co-manager Catherine Reilly, great weather, up-to-date audiovisual equipment, and staff that understand the particular needs of the business visitor are some of the ingredients that have given Eurobodalla a reputation as a reliable and professional conference destination. She said resort style venues with onsite accommodation are always a popular choice for conference delegates. “Murramarang Resort in Durras, north of Batemans Bay, Coachhouse Marina Resort and Corrigans Cove Resort in Batemans Bay are three outstanding conference venues in Eurobodalla.”Situated on absolute ocean frontage and surrounded by National Park, Murramarang Resort is rated as a five-star ecotourism accommodation property on the South East Coast. The resort features four conference rooms, the largest with a seating capacity of 250, surrounding a lagoon-style pool. The resort has recently undergone a significant upgrade with nine new ocean front luxury cabins and 12 new luxury garden cabins. Coachhouse Marina Resort is a premier conference facility offering 89 federation-style villas that are between four-and-a-half and five-star, and conference rooms catering for between five and 250 delegates. Corrigans Cove Resort is perfectly positioned overlooking Corrigans Beach. The largest meeting room has a seating capacity of 95. Corrigans offers luxury four-and-a-half star self-contained apartments. Meanwhile, clubs have always played an important role in regional areas, and those earning a solid reputation as conference venues in the region are the Narooma Golf Club, Moruya Golf Club, Catalina Country Club, and Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.

Coffs Coast will surprise you

COFFS COAST IS JUST A PLANE RIDE AWAY AND HAS ALL THE CONFERENCE AND INCENTIVE FACILITIES OF THE CITY AND COUNTRY COMBINED.

The main centre is the vibrant city of Coffs Harbour, where easy access and quality accommodation and conference facilities combine to make an ideal C&I destination.Surrounding the city, Coffs Coast is a mix of World Heritage rainforest and national parks, relaxed and friendly towns and villages, kilometres of golden beaches and headlands and the spectacular marine underworld of the Solitary Islands Marine Park.QantasLink and Virgin Blue service Coffs Coast from Sydney (with connections from all Australian capitals) with up to eight flights per day while from Brisbane, Sunshine Express flies twice daily.

And now, Virgin Blue operates a weekly service every Saturday direct from Melbourne.Coffs Coast marketing manager Rob Cleary says that because of the high frequency of air services, excellent choice of venues and balmy sub-tropical climate the corporate and government sectors find the destination very appealing. “Coffs Coast has successfully hosted meetings and conferences for a wide range of industry sectors including; financial, medical, transport, information technology and management services.”Mr Cleary said in addition to the venues, Coffs Coast has been able to arrange team-building activities such as surf rafting, kayaking, mini grand prix racing, military style team training, charter fishing and whale watching cruises for up to 100 delegates – all within a very short distance from the seaside resorts and nearby clubs.Another major reason to consider Coffs Coast as your next conference destination is golf. There are 12 courses to choose from; some at resorts, others in nearby country towns, but especially appealing is the Bonville International Golf Resort, voted four times the Most Beautiful Golf Course in Australia.

Bonville is where the Qantas Wallabies step out twice a year for a day of corporate golf amid the tall timbers, rainforest fairways and challenging greens. So appealing is the destination and combined with its can do attitude, Coffs Coast recently won the right to host the Ulysses Motorcycle Club of Australia’s 2007 Annual General Meeting. For a week in May that year, the city of Coffs Harbour will host some 6500 delegates and around 5000 motocycles.So for your next meeting or conference consider Coffs Coast. You will be surprised at the range and diversity of venues and accompanying activities. Now, turn the page and choose from eight Coffs Coast venues, or for an excellent online version of the Coffs Coast Conference and Meeting Facilities Guide visit www.coffscoast.com.au/conference

Coffs Coast

Be it a private board meeting for 10, a corporate conference for 250 or a gathering for 1000, these eight Coffs Coast venues will be able to assist you make your next meeting or conference an outstanding success. For detailed information and pricing, please call the venue of choice.

	Meet on the Greens Rated the most beautiful golf course in Australia (2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005) this championship course rises and dips through elegant strands of rainforest, each fairway isolated from the next. Bonville International Golf Resort has extensive experience in hosting events large and small. For conferences (2 to 200 people), to gala dinners either in the clubhouse or on the golf course for up to 400 people, let the 2003 & 2004 ‘Caterer of the Year’ ensure your event is successful. Phone: (02) 6653 4002 or Email: sales@bonvillegolf.com.au
	Breakfree Aanuka Beach Resort Located on direct beach frontage with ocean-view dining and conference venues. Catering for 10-220 delegates with 3 conference venues all with natural lighting & tranquil garden-set / ocean-front coffee break areas. Large beachside lawns perfect for team-building activities / media launches. On-site AV / theming Company, kids club, day-spa, tennis courts, gym, 4 pools, 3 spas, cocktail bar, 2 restaurants. Sole & Share accommodation in Hotel Studio Room, 1 & 2 Bedroom Spa Villas. AAA rating 4.5 stars. Distance to beach, 20m. Distance to Airport, 10km. Ph: 1800 252 822 Email: reservations@aanuka.breakfree.com.au Web: www.aanuka.com.au
	Quality Resort Nautilus Quality Resort Nautilus is set on nine acres of tropical gardens & absolute beach frontage, offering relaxation, indulgence & something for everyone. Specialising in boutique size groups of up to 100, our experienced Conference Team is available to personally assist you with all aspects of organizing, planning and conducting your conference, exhibition, meeting or banquet, ensuring the success of your event. No matter how large or small the group, every conference is special at Quality Resort Nautilus. Pacific Highway North Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Phone: 02 6653 6699 Fax: 02 6653 7039 Email: info@qualityresortnautilus.com.au Web: www.qualityresortnautilus.com.au
	Novotel Pacific Bay Relax and focus One of Australia’s most impressive dedicated conference spaces, the fully equiped Pacific Conference Centre, features nine naturally lit meeting rooms accommodating up to 500 delegates plus the Bay Marquee situated in the breathtaking seaside landscape. Our professional and creative events team will exceed all your meeting & events expectations. Contact: Maree Walden Director of Conference Sales Ph: 02 66597 011 email:confsales1@pacificbayresort.com.au Web: www.pacificbayresort.com.au
	Opal Cove Resort Absolute Beach Front Opal Cove Resort boasts one of the finest state of the art conference facilities in New South Wales. Seven fully equipped function rooms allow us to cater for all your needs from modest board meetings to large conventions seating up to 550 theatre style. Book and have your next meeting, conference or function at Opal Cove Resort between 01/12/05 & 28/02/06 and receive FREE arrival tea and coffee for every delegate.Call The Conference Department on (02) 6651 0554 Web: www.opalcove.com
	Coffs Ex Services Club Coffs Ex Services Club offers modern air-conditioned facilities and is conveniently located in the centre of Coffs Harbour Central Business District. Only 3km from the airport. Catering for 5 to 1000 delegates. Seated conferences, small meetings, trade exhibitions, business lunches & breakfasts, shows or corporate dinners. Access to all the latest AV and sound equipment. Contact our event co-ordinator Karen Curnow on Phone: (02) 6652 3888 Email: karenc@cex.com.au Web: www.cex.com.au
	The Sebel Aqualuna Beach Resort The Sebel Aqualuna Beach Resort is located on beachfront, offering dramatic views of the magnificent Sapphire Beach. The resort offers fully self-contained one, two and three bedroom villas with corner spas and private terraces with ocean views. The Sebel Aqualuna Beach Resort is the newest conference resort on the Coffs Coast, with three variable and column free conference rooms catering for 10 – 100 people. Aqualuna I and II offer Ocean Views and fresh air break-out areas. Ph: (02) 6653 7500 Fax: (02) 6653 7581 Email: amy_parkin@mirvac.com.au Web: www.mirvachotels.com.au
	Pelican Beach Australis Resort Pelican Beach Australis Resort, boasts sub-tropical resort grounds with absolute beach frontage. Enjoy magnificent ocean views from our largest conference room, or chose from a variety of others – all with natural light and terrace access. Flexible floor plans allow larger groups to break into small workshops, while the abundance of out-door areas at the resort can be used for dining and team building. Unwind by our sparkling 38-metre lagoon-style pool or day spa, or enjoy a game of tennis, volley ball or mini golf. Web: www.australishotels.com Email: functions.pelicanbeach@australishotels.com, Phone: (02) 6653 7000