The destination has already been kicking goals in recent times with some major conference wins courtesy of the hard-working individuals at the Newcastle Visitors & Convention Bureau (NVCB). More recent wins have been the Museums Australia 2009 Biennial National Conference, which will bring up to 500 delegates into the city from around Australia and New Zealand, and The National Local Roads and Transport Congress, set down for July 2007 and expected to attract around 500 delegates.
The Museums Australia congress is particularly timely according to Newcastle Regional Museum director, Gavin Fry, because it is being held just after the opening of the new maritime museum in the Honeysuckle precinct and just prior to the opening of the newly relocated Newcastle Regional Museum, which moves to the Civic Cultural Precinct.
And it is the opening of new venues, facilities and attractions that appears to be assisting in the growth of Newcastle’s meetings business. According to the NVCB’s Ruth Appleby, new development in the harbour city is running rampant right now. The Grand Mercure is constructing an 80-room hotel, including 42 two and three bedroom serviced apartments, right in the heart of town which will be open by July of this year (to be called the Grand Mercure Pinnacle Apartments). The Phoenix Club, which is part of the Wests group, is adding another 80 serviced apartments to its room inventory, and the Travelodge Newcastle, now part of the Toga group, is currently undergoing a major refurbishment, both inside and out.
But clearly the most exciting activity over the past 12 months has been not only the revitalisation of Newcastle Airport but the growth in flights from around the country.
Indeed, it seems that getting to Newcastle is easier than ever before. A quick scan of the flights schedule shows 57 flights a week to Brisbane, 46 to Sydney, 21 to Canberra, six to the Gold Coast, 12 to Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, and 39 a week to Melbourne.
And, as Newcastle Airport’s David Nye explains, they are hopeful of having Adelaide also onboard later this year.
“There’s quite a lot of corporate tooing and froing between Newcastle and Adelaide,” he said.
“We’re optimistic we might see something happening later in the year. In terms of international [flights] what’s happening at the moment is we’re dipping our toe into the semi-international market with flights to be announced fairly soon to Norfolk Island.
“New Zealand is another destination that we are asked about. We do feel there is potential for a New Zealand service before too long.”
Civic Precinct Newcastle
Civic Precinct Newcastle is within five minutes of more than 700 accommodation rooms and some of Newcastle’s major attractions, including its beaches, harbour foreshore, cafes and restaurants. The Precinct offers three flexible venues including the City Hall Function Centre, which includes the Concert Hall capable of seating up to 820 delegates plus six function rooms, the Civic Theatre, which has a maximum capacity of 1520 delegates plus five function rooms, and Wheeler Place, which offers 1200 square metres of open space, ideal for a marquee or stage set-up. For details visit www.civicprecinctnewcastle.com.au.
Newcastle Panthers
Newcastle Panthers is situated in the heart of King Street in Newcastle in the CBD and near to beaches, shopping, accommodation and night-life. With both small and large conference rooms and function areas Newcastle Panthers can cater to a range of events. From discreet business gatherings to large trade shows they have a package to suit all types of business. Visit www.panthersworld.com.au
for further details.
 Shoal Bay Resort & Spa
Spread over five acres of beachfront property, the Shoal Bay Resort & Spa, at the entrance to Port Stephens, encompasses more than 200 luxurious self-contained apartments, villas and suites. Most rooms have water views, balconies and spa bathrooms. For meetings, there is the Whitesands Convention Centre which can seat up to 400 delegates theatre-style. As its name suggests, the property is also home to the Aqua Spa where visitors can indulge in a sensory journey designed to revive their mind, body and soul. Visitors are invited to surrender to their experience. Elemis facial and body products will relax, de-stress and energise you with the sensual range of indulgences designed specifically for individual needs. Aqua Spa has uniquely tapped into the pristine saltwater surrounding mineral rich sand beds to offer a true thalassotherapy spa experience. To find out more about meetings at the Shoal Bay Resort & Spa email – sales@shoalbayresort.com or visit www.shoalbayresort.com.
Quality Hotel NOAH’S On the Beach
The Quality Hotel NOAH’S On The Beach claims to be the only beachfront hotel in Newcastle, and as such has always been popular with meeting groups and for special events. With 91 accommodation rooms overlooking the ocean and a ballroom capable of seating up to 300 delegates theatre-style as well as a number of smaller meeting rooms, this property is certainly one of the best in Newcastle. The property has always been popular for product launches, particularly large-scale ones, because it has motor vehicle access right into the ballroom. Conveniently located just a short walk to the Newcastle CBD, restaurants and entertainment, Quality Hotel NOAH’S On The Beach is a must to inspect. For details visit www.noahsonthebeach.com.au.
Wests Convention Centre
The Wests Convention Centre is located just a few short minutes from the city centre, and offers outstanding facilities for up to 1200 delegates. The Starlight Room is the main function space however, there are eight function rooms in total. As well as its meetings facilities the venue also operates The Executive Inn, a four-and-a-half star hotel which has 134 rooms (including 23 spa suites), two heated outdoor pools and a spa. A fully-equipped fitness centre, five restaurants and six bars top off this impressive venue. For details visit www.westsnewcastle.com.au.
 The announcement was made at the 2006 NSW Tourism Awards, making it the second win for the property in the meetings and business tourism venue category.
As Crowne Plaza Newcastle’s marketing manager, Kerrie Arthurson said following the announcement that five to 10 years ago Newcastle would definitely not have been high on everyone’s list of desirable conference destinations.
“Delegates are now pleasantly surprised when they come to Newcastle to discover pristine beaches and scenic coastal walks, an active harbour playground with unsurpassed views, historic streets, cosmopolitan cafes, and of course Crowne Plaza Newcastle,” she said.
“It is indeed a great achievement to win this award and it can be directly attributed to the dedicated staff and specifically the Crowne Meetings Team and implementation of the Crowne Meetings Success comprehensive meeting program.”
The property, located right on the edge of Newcastle’s working harbour, has 175 suites, six meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat up to 240 delegates theatre-style, on-site audio-visual technical support, and video-conferencing capabilities. Meeting rooms have been designed to allow meeting planners and conference attendees the ability to focus on their business objectives.
For relaxation, cocktails and tea breaks on the Harbour Terrace are said to reinvigorate attendees. Visit www.newcastle.crowneplaza.com for further details.
Sand safaris
Why not get your delegates to shake off the cobwebs with Sand Safaris Adventure Tours? This award-winning adventure company offers experienced guided quad bike tours, sand boarding and 4WD safaris that are well suited for groups. You don’t even have to have any experience with quad biking. A quick lesson and some careful instruction by the guides and you’ll be off and running in no time along one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline found anywhere in Australia. Sand Safaris Adventure Tours also offers great fun Arabian themed dining experiences, suitable for between 30 and 500 people. Telephone (02) 4965 0215, email info@sandsafaris.com.au or visit www.sandsafaris.com.au for further details.
Touring the vineyards
With the Hunter wine country region not far from downtown Newcastle a tour of the vineyards is a great half or full-day option. There are a number of specialist Newcastle-based companies which can take your group to the vineyards including Hunter Vineyard Tours (www.huntervineyardtours.com.au) and Red Carpet Custom Tours (www.redcarpettours.com). Once there, immerse yourself in the wine-growing region, enjoy a round of golf at the many first-rate golf courses, sample some local cheeses or olives, or sit back and relax in one of the fine dining restaurants that dot the region.
Just cruising
Moonshadow Cruises is an owner-operated business that has been based in Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, since 1981. The company has three vessels that operate from Port Stephens and Newcastle, with a range of cruises to suit a client’s needs. The company offers the largest and most luxurious vessels in Port Stephens and Newcastle to ensure a memorable and comfortable cruise. As well as offering lunch and dinner cruises, in Port Stephens there are also dolphin and whale watching cruises. Programs can be tailor-made to clients who have specific needs. For further details telephone (02) 4984 9388, email info@moonshadow.com.au or visit www.moonshadow.com.au.
Learn to surf
Newcastle has some of the best beaches in Australia so why not take to the waves and learn to surf in-between conference sessions. The Redhead Mobile Surf School offers small class sizes for up to five people. Students learn about ocean safety and local conditions and have plenty of fun along the way! Single lessons and two-day and three-day lessons are also available, with lessons lasting two hours. For details telephone (02) 4944 9585, email milesnid@bigpond.net.au or visit www.surfingaustralia.com.au/school.
Walk and talk
You can discover some of Newcastle’s hidden treasures with Carole Frazers Walks and Talks around the historic city. These walks include commentary on many topics of local history, with all walks suitable for people of any age, and most requiring only a reasonable level of fitness. Some of the walks can be joined together, and tailored walks can be arranged on application. For further details contact Carole Frazer on (02) 4952 1537, email carolefrazer@ozemail.com.au or visit www.walks-talks.com.au.
 Maitland Gaol by torchlight
Just a short distance from Newcastle is Maitland Gaol. As well as offering guided tours during the day it also offers torchlight tours at night, which certainly adds to the spooky feel of this venue. Maitland Gaol is open seven days a week and torchlight tours are conducted on Friday and Saturday nights, however, special tours can be arranged. The venue is also proving popular for special events. For details telephone (02) 4936 6482, email info@maitlandgaol.com.au or visit www.maitlandgaol.com.au.
Air Sports
For those who like their free-time a little bit more on the wild side why not try tandem hang gliding or tandem paragliding with Air Sports. Air Sports is a hang gliding and paragliding organisation in Newcastle which focuses on safe instruction, yet a thrilling introduction to this unique sport. Through tandem flights you can experience the excitement of launch, look down on the beautiful city and beaches, and savour the peaceful serenity that is only experienced by birds... and a few lucky people. For details email tony@airsports.com.au or visit www.air-sports.com.au.
Co-ordinated by the Newcastle Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB), the MICE showcase events will be held on the following dates in the following venues: Sydney – Thursday, March 1 at The Westin, Brisbane – Wednesday, March 28 at Customs House, Melbourne – Tuesday, June 5 at the RACV.
The NCVB’s Ruth Appleby says with the majority of MICE business confirmed for Newcastle and the Hunter being generated out of Sydney the Sydney event will kick-start the national showcase. The inaugural Melbourne show was held in 2005, and plans are to build on the success of this event in 2007.
The Brisbane event will be a first for Newcastle, and was devised following feedback from NVCB members.
“In the case of Melbourne and Brisbane, the increasing number of direct daily services to/from both these centre into Newcastle (Brisbane – up to nine flights per day, and Melbourne up to six flights per day), has been a catalyst for showcases in these cities,” she said.
“The aim of the events are to increase the awareness of Newcastle and the surrounding area as a MICE destination, and to reinforce and hopefully improve awareness in its established marketplace of Sydney.
“The vastly improved air access to Newcastle from Melbourne and Brisbane for conference and event organisers and their delegates over the past couple of years has made Newcastle and the Hunter area a much more attractive MICE destination option.”
Representatives from up to 10 products will be on hand to talk to buyers at each showcase. This will include products from Port Stephens and Wine Country as well as Newcastle, and include: Crowne Plaza Newcastle, Newcastle City Hall & Civic Theatre, Hunter Valley Gardens, Shoal Bay Resort & Spa, Quality Hotel Noahs on the Beach, Peppers Anchorage, Moonshadow Cruises, Wyndham Estate, Hotel Ibis Newcastle, Boulevard on Beaumont
The NVCB will be targeting buyers from the corporate, association and government sectors as well as PCOs in each city to attend.
Each event will commence with a brief overview presentation of Newcastle and surrounds as a destination, followed by a showcase rotation of five minutes with each of the exhibitors. Events will conclude with a one hour cocktail/networking reception.
For further details on attending an event in your home town contact Ruth Appleby on (02) 4974 2998 or email RAppleby@ncc.nsw.gov.au.
mice.net magazine is the exclusive media partner for these showcases. Stay tuned for further updates in our one minute mice.net e-newsletters.
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