Platinum Award Incentive of the Year
Tour Hosts Pty Limited
Tour Hosts Pty Limited
Tour Hosts Pty Limited now known as arinex pty limited is a dynamic Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and Destination Management Company (DMC) providing a complete meetings and event management consultancy service for academic, scientific and medical organisations, associations, government and corporations all over the world.
The CEPSA Incentive Australia 2008 was a luxury nine day program for 120 guests chosen from CEPSA Spanish and Portuguese service station's proprietors. Tour Hosts Destination Management devised a creative and stunning itinerary indulging guests with an exclusive and tailor-made program to Port Douglas, Uluru and Sydney.
Outstanding Contribution Award Geoff Donaghy
Cairns Convention Centre
Geoff Donaghy
Following a long involvement in Queensland's tourism industry, in 1994 Geoff Donaghy was appointed as Managing Director of the Cairns Convention Centre, Australia's first such international standard facility to be established outside a major capital city.
From its successful opening in 1996 the Cairns Centre has continued to receive regular global accolades and it was acknowledged as the “World's Best Centre” in 2004 by the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC).
Geoff then also oversaw, as its CEO, the 2003 opening of the redeveloped Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, now widely recognized as one of the world's top rugby venues.
Both facilities are operated by leading venue management specialists AEG Ogden, and as their Group Director Convention and Exhibition Centres Geoff is now involved with major project development in the Asia Pacific, India and Middle East regions.
This includes responsibility for the Darwin Convention Centre which opened last year, and the Qatar National Convention Centre under construction in Doha.
In 2005 Geoff was elected as Chairman of peak national body, the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), and in that role has been instrumental in furthering the profile and advancement of both the organization and the industry. This has included overseeing last year's development of the $20B industry's first comprehensive, long term blueprint in the National Business Events Strategy.
He has served on several other boards including Meeting & Events Australia, both of Queensland's tourism and major events corporations and was an inaugural director, and then chairman, of North Queensland's world heritage rainforest management authority.
Meeting of the Year - More than 500 delegates Tour Hosts Pty Limited
Event: The 54th Asian Patent Attorneys Association Council Meeting
Tour Hosts Pty Ltd
Tour Hosts Pty Limited is a dynamic Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and Destination Management Company (DMC) providing a complete meetings and event management consultancy service for academic, scientific and medical organisations, associations, government and corporations all over the world.
The 54th Asian Patent Attorneys Association Council Meeting was a high level, high expectations meeting that attracted 1250 delegates from Australia and Asian countries in Adelaide in November 2007. This conference was all about the networking and Tour Hosts created a social and tours program that facilitated maximum business relationships to make APAA 2007 the ‘best ever'.
Meeting of the Year – Less than 500 delegates Event Planners Australia
Event: 10th International Paediatric and Child Health Nursing Conference
Event Planners Australia
The 10th International Paediatric and Child Health Nursing Conference (IPCHN) was held in Darwin from 30 April – 2 May 2008. Event Planners Australia was appointed to design and deliver a spectacularly successful conference. What resulted was the most successful IPCHN Conference to date.
Special Event of the Year Limelight Events
Event: The ANZ Breakout Festival Grand Finale Event
Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau
Reed Travel Exhibitions
The ANZ Breakout Festival Grand Finale Event - held for close to 2000 guests at iconic Festival Hall in Melbourne – was the culmination of an extensive cultural change program that saw Limelight Events and the ANZ “Breakout” team develop, implement and promote a fully integrated, five-month global program to engage all 37,000 ANZ staff.
Exhibition of the Year Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau
Reed Travel Exhibitions
Event: AIME
Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau
Reed Travel Exhibitions
AIME 2008, the 16th Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo generated US$552 million worth of business for the Asia Pacific region. The event provided significant benefit to the Australian meetings and incentive industry, showcasing Melbourne and Australia and helped to build Australia's profile as a business events destination internationally.
Incentive of the Year Tour Hosts Pty Limited
Event: The CEPSA Incentive Australia 2008
Tour Hosts Pty Limited
Tour Hosts Pty Limited is a dynamic Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and Destination Management Company (DMC) providing a complete meetings and event management consultancy service for academic, scientific and medical organisations, associations, government and corporations all over the world.
The CEPSA Incentive Australia 2008 was a luxury nine day program for 120 guests chosen from CEPSA Spanish and Portuguese service station's proprietors. Tour Hosts Destination Management devised a creative and stunning itinerary indulging guests with an exclusive and tailor-made program to Port Douglas, Uluru and Sydney.
Public Event of the Year Peter Jones Special Events Pty Ltd
Event: Victorian Australia Day Celebrations
Peter Jones Special Events Pty Ltd
Peter Jones Public Events stages many of Melbournes largest public events including Australia Day, AFL Grand Final Parade and the Melbourne Cup Parade.
Meetings Management – 8 or more employees Tour Hosts Pty Limited
Tour Hosts Pty Ltd
Tour Hosts Pty Limited is a dynamic Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and Destination Management Company (DMC) providing a complete meetings and event management consultancy service for academic, scientific and medical organisations, associations, government and corporations all over the world.
In-house services include conference and exhibition management, sponsorship, special events, language services, incentives, tours, accommodation, conference technology and registrations.
Meetings Management – Less than 8 employees The Forum Group
The Forum Group
Established in 1996, The Forum Group, (TFG) has managed thousands of corporate events. We have serviced a range of markets such as electronics, manufacturing, consulting, education and pharmaceutical. TFG manages a variety of events including conferences, road shows, product launches, internal meetings, exhibitions and incentives.
Special Event Organiser Great Southern E-vents
Great Southern E-vents
GSE are Australia's award-winning creators
of the greatest theatrical events.
Throughout Australasia, we work with
innovative marketing, communication
and corporate managers, enabling them
to outperform their competitors. Together
we achieve more.
Our skills, talent and passion, developed
over many years, ensure we always deliver
original experiences, with high attention
to detail that meet deadlines and budgets.
Banqueting & Catering Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is at the forefront of business events catering with its own experienced in house chefs, dedication to quality produce from local producers, support of the Victorian wine industry and continuous interaction with clients to ensure the success of every event.
Technical & Creative Production Solution RED
Solution RED
Solution RED is one of Australia's leading Technical & Creative services companies, known for their commitment to deliver above clients' expectations. Technical services include event staging, conferencing, multimedia production, vision, audio & lighting. Creative services include stage & set design and construction, floristry, décor, napery, centrepieces, and prop development.
Murrays Coaches, Buses & Limousines is Australia's leading group transport specialist with over 43 years experience providing charter & hire services nation wide.
Murrays have the resources and the expertise to cater for all land transport needs and the ability to provide almost any form of land transport, in all regions of Australia.
Meetings & Events Support Services Adelaide Expo Hire
Adelaide Expo Hire
Adelaide Expo Hire services include shell scheme booths, furniture, signage, carpet, display equipment, custom built displays, project management, plants and audio visual.
Industry suppliers for over 60 years, Adelaide Expo Hire is Australia's first MEA Exhibition Support Products & Services Hall of Fame winner 2004-2007.
Meeting Venue – More than 500 delegates Adelaide Convention Centre
Adelaide Convention Centre
The Adelaide Convention Centre was opened in 1987 and as the first purpose-built convention centre in Australia pioneered the conference and convention industry in Australia. The Centre is wholly owned and operated by the South Australian Government and since opening, has self-funded its operations.
Radisson Resort Gold Coast is perfectly positioned for business and pleasure. The property is surrounded by golf course greens, lush landscaped grounds and lakes. Guests enjoy access to fantastic resort facilities, including day spa, driving range, two outdoor swimming pools, four floodlit tennis courts, a fully equipped gymnasium, sauna and outdoor spa. The Radisson Resort Gold Coast is approximately 30 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport and about an hour from Brisbane.
Meeting Venue – Less than 150 delegates University of New South Wales CBD Campus
University of New South Wales CBD Campus
The UNSW CBD Campus is the University's conference, meetings and events centre in the heart of the Sydney CBD. Located at 1 O'Connell Street, this contemporary meeting venue features: 4 flat-floor theatres, 2 tiered theatres, 11 break out rooms, an outdoor roof garden, business centre and is home to Sydney's newest creative workshop space, the thinkPOD.
Specialty Venue The Mint
The Mint
The Mint, built on a significant historic site, successfully delivered a high volume and diverse range of events to the business meetings and events community. This national industry leading venue compliments its archaeological fabric with state-of-the-art technologies to meet any event need and offers guests a unique and memorable experience.
Operations Person of the Year Chris Connelly
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Chris Connelly
Chris Connelly heads operations for the hundreds of events the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) holds each year.
His efforts have led to MCEC gaining significant accolades and accreditations and have, in some cases, changed industry standards. Connelly is also tasked with the seamless opening of the most advanced convention space in the southern hemisphere, the new Melbourne Convention Centre.
Sales and Marketing Person of the Year Donna Kessler
Tourism Portfolio
Donna Kessler
Tourism Portfolio is a company dedicated to securing sales on behalf of business tourism venues and products of the highest quality, and representing desirable destinations. Guided by their client's sales and marketing objectives, Tourism Portfolio increases brand awareness, leverages opportunities and drives resources, turning leads into sales.
Meetings Manager of the Year Jan Shaw
Event Planners Australia
Jan Shaw
The Urological Society of Australia & New Zealand 61st Annual Scientific Meeting was held overseas for the first time in 2008. The Meeting in Hong Kong was a spectacular success, exceeding expectations in terms of delegate numbers, sponsorship, and financial outcome to the host body, as well as delegate satisfaction.
Y MEA Future Leader Brylee McFarlane
Event Planners Australia
Brylee McFarlane
Brylee McFarlane is employed with Event Planners Australia and is an active member on the SA Y MEA committee, and current chair of the SA Professional Development Committee. With a sincere passion for the meetings and events industry, she relishes these roles to mentor and assist other young industry peers.
Metropolitan Convention Bureau/Tourist Organisation Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau
Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau
Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) designs and delivers bid strategies to win national and international Business Events for Melbourne. MCVB has demonstrated leadership in the growth and facilitation of "green meetings" and is the only full service accredited bureau in Australia. MCVB has representatives in NSW, New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Regional Convention Bureau/Tourist Organisation Newcastle Visitor & Convention Bureau
Newcastle Visitor & Convention Bureau
Newcastle Visitor & Convention Bureau (NVCB) has been established for 16 years, and was the first regional bureau in NSW. It is a service unit of Newcastle City Council. Its principal role is to market Newcastle and the surrounding areas as a leading regional conference destination and to provide support to conferences taking place in Newcastle.
Corporate Social Responsibility Award – 1-5 full time employees Great Southern E-vents
Great Southern E-vents
Great Southern E-vents (GSE) is a dynamic event producing company made up of passionate and creative professionals with a keen eye for detail. For over 10 years their sophisticated style of marketing and technical expertise has delivered brand-driven creative concepts to a diverse range of clients and markets. From an elegant intimate gathering, through to large scale gala dinners, awards nights and outdoor festivals, Great Southern E-vents produces memorable results that motivate and inspire any style of audience.
Corporate Social Responsibility Award – 6-30 full time employees WALDRONSMITH Management
WALDRONSMITH Management
WALDRONSMITH Management is a national organisation providing conference management for national and international conferences from 100-4000 delegates. Based in Melbourne and Sydney with a full time team of 16 members, WALDRONSMITH Management brign people together and conferences to life.
Corporate Social Responsibility Award – More than 30 full time employees Adelaide Convention Centre
Adelaide Convention Centre
The Adelaide Convention Centre was opened in 1987 and as the first purpose-built convention centre in Australia pioneered the conference and convention industry in Australia. The Centre is wholly owned and operated by the South Australian Government and since opening, has self-funded its operations.
Hall of Fame - New Members
2008 - 2011
Meetings Management – 8 or more employees
Tour Hosts Pty Limited
Tour Hosts Pty Ltd
Tour Hosts Pty Limited is a dynamic Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and Destination Management Company (DMC) providing a complete meetings and event management consultancy service for academic, scientific and medical organisations, associations, government and corporations all over the world.
In-house services include conference and exhibition management, sponsorship, special events, language services, incentives, tours, accommodation, conference technology and registrations.
2008 - 2011
Special Event Organiser
Great Southern E-vents
Great Southern E-vents
GSE are Australia's award-winning creators
of the greatest theatrical events. Throughout
Australasia, we work with innovative
marketing, communication and corporate
managers, enabling them to outperform
their competitors. Together we achieve
more. Our skills, talent and passion,
developed over many years, ensure we
always deliver original experiences,
with high attention to detail that meet
deadlines and budgets.