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Like many people researching destinations we regularly “surf the
net” seeking news and updates. And we were pleasantly surprised
when we revisited the Geelong Ottway Conference and Incentive
Travel website (www.geelongotway.org/conferences) recently. On
its front page they include a list of upcoming conferences in
the region – all updated. This is something mice.net does (when
we can) in our destination reports after our own research found
that organisations want to know who is using a destination for
their event. Touche then to Geelong Otway Tourism for its
foresight.
 Do you
have a spare 10 minutes today? If so, mice.net would appreciate
you looking at a new website (www.decipher.biz) which according
to the Federal Minister for Small Business & Tourism, Fran
Bailey, enables “tourism businesses – or those considering
entering the industry – to make better business decisions by
instantly accessing localised up-to-date tourism information
from more than 200 sources.” The “information portal” Decipher
is apparently supported by $2.1 million innovation grants by the
Australian Government. What we would like to know is what do you
think of it? Can it assist you? Is it worth spending $2.1
million on or do you believe there are better ways to spend
money in business events? Email brad@mice.net.au with your
thoughts.
mice.net editor Brad Foster committed the ultimate sin recently
when he asked a long time business events industry member if she
was pregnant. She wasn’t. |
He intends paying for the mistake forever and continues to receive
daily jibes from staff mates and other industry members who have
been told of his blunder. About a week after the initial error
Mr Foster saw the woman at the airport where he asked her if he
could buy her a drink (in an effort to atone in some pathetic
way for his sin). She replied without missing a beat: “I don’t
drink when I’m pregnant!” Touche and ouch!
The
organisers of AIME have again excelled themselves as far as
we’re concerned with the 2005 exhibition. From the majority of
accounts we have received it ran smoothly, exhibitors and hosted
buyers were happy, and events on the whole were well thought out
and executed. Bring on AIME 2006.
From
our “believe it or not files” this ones comes from a loyal
mice.net reader… First time air travellers are still finding
their feet, according to one Jetstar patron. A young mum who had
obviously never travelled on an aircraft proceeded to place her
newborn bub in one of the overhead lockers before taking her
seat below. Thankfully mum didn’t close the locker and the still
happy baby was discovered by a flight attendant on her routine
journey through the aircraft prior to takeoff. The woman
explained she thought the lockers were for baggage and/or
newborn babies. Doh!
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