Blooming Success

A regional conference initiative lures business meetings to a place by the sea.

The northern New South Wales city of Port Macquarie has had an interesting history. Established as a penal settlement in 1821, by the turn of the 20th century it was well established as a holiday resort. These days, it continues to be a leisure destination but has made considerable inroads into the conference market.

Located 400 kilometres north of Sydney, Port Macquarie is an easy 4 hour drive, or 6 hours from the Queensland border. There are several daily flights of one hour duration between Port Macquarie and Sydney with smooth connections to intrastate and interstate flights. Conference delegates are spoilt for choice when it comes to after conference activities. There’s swimming, surfing, camel rides along the beach, deep-sea fishing, and a whole range of teambuilding activities.

In 2002, the Business Tourism section of Hastings Council’s Tourism Division was established. Conference organisers from around the State were immediately alerted to a new conference destination. The benefits have been enormous to the local economy.

The Greater Port Macquarie conference coordinator, Maggie Barnewall, recently announced that the region had won the right to host a major Rotary International Annual District Conference in early 2006. It is expected that more than 600 delegates and partners will attend the 3 day conference, contributing over $300,000 to the local economy.

DELEGATE DELIVERY

It joins other 2006 events such as the Australian Orchid Society Conference, attracting some 500 orchid enthusiasts from all parts of Australia, and the NSW Fire Brigades Firefighters Biennial State Championships.

Hastings Council’s Business Tourism Division provides a comprehensive service, liaising between conference organisers and local conference venues, accommodation and service providers. Services include preparation of bid documents, introductions to venues, coordination of familiarisation visits and regional promotion.

Port Macquarie’s conference capacity includes the Four Points By Sheraton Port Macquarie. The Four Points’ Bayside Room can seat up to 175 people theatre style or 140 for banquets and can be divided into 3 separate sections. At the Quality Resort Sails, the Hastings Room holds 150 people theatre style or 100 for banquets, and is also divisible into 3 sections. Across the road from Sails is the Port Macquarie Panthers RSL Club with an auditorium for up to 1,000
people.

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