South Australia - a rare vintage

Full-bodied and flavoursome, this meetings destination will live up to its outstanding potential for a long time to come. South Australia has much to offer conference groups.

Adelaide, a modern, well-planned city, always seems a million miles in attitude from the hectic bustle of Sydney and Melbourne. It boasts a dedicated convention centre that ushered in the modern phase of Australia’s MICE industry, top-class hotels, a pervasive sense of history and tradition, cutting-edge cuisine and fresh local produce, and several wine districts located within a short drive.

No wonder Adelaide has captured so many national and international conventions and congresses. Upcoming this year are such events as the 8th International Conference of Biochemistry Trace Elements in April, and the 15th annual Mental Health Services Conference Inc of Australia & New Zealand in August. In May/June 2006, the Health Technology Assessment Annual Conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the first time it has met in the Southern Hemisphere. Attracting delegates from around the world, the six day conference is expected to inject almost $4 million into the local community.

Adelaide Airport, just 15 minutes outside the CBD, is currently the fourth-largest domestic airport and the sixth-largest international airport in Australia, processing more than 4 million passengers annually.

AIR MILES

Construction is continuing on a new $260 million aviation terminal, which is expected to be completed late this year. The South Australian meetings fraternity is celebrating the recent introduction of direct services between Adelaide and Auckland.
Martin Winter, CEO of the Adelaide Convention & Tourism Authority, said the direct service provided a rare opportunity to develop a market that Adelaide had always struggled in. “More New Zealanders come to Australia every year than from any other country, but we haven’t been able to secure our share because short-visit travellers have had to break their journey on the east coast,” he said.

ACCOMMODATION FOCUS

In hotel news, the Stamford Plaza Adelaide and the Stamford Grand Adelaide have spent a combined $8.8 million on refurbishment programs. Last year, both hotels completed the initial stage of the program, which included the Stamford Plaza Adelaide introducing two new levels of accommodation – Deluxe and Executive. An Executive Lounge, including full secretarial support, complimentary breakfast and evening canapés, is a boon for the business-travel market.

The final stage of the refurbishment will see the Stamford Grand Adelaide revamp 98 accommodation rooms, as well as upgrade its business centre. The Stamford Plaza Adelaide is refurbishing the remaining 234 accommodation rooms and the Terrace Garden Restaurant.

CUTTING-EDGE MEETINGS

The Hilton Adelaide’s $20 million three stage redevel-opment program is complete, with conference organisers delighted with the results. In late 2003, the hotel upgraded its 379 guestrooms and suites at a cost of $6 million, along with improvements to the food and beverage areas and the lobby.

>> Conference & meeting venues in Adelaide

In May 2004, the Hilton Adelaide launched South Australia’s largest and most advanced hotel conference and event venue. The new LEVEL 1 conference space includes 1,800 square metres of cutting-edge design, advanced audiovisual and communications technology, and innovative meeting services never experienced before in South Australia. The dedicated conference and meeting level incorporates 12 state-of-the-art meetings and event spaces, including one of Australia’s most spectacular ballroom designs. The Grand Ballroom features a five metre high wall-to-wall curtain of intricately woven metal that can be animated with light to create dramatic effects for any occasion. The Grand Ballroom seats up to 750 delegates theatre style in a pillar-free space.

Hilton’s LEVEL 1 is the first conference venue in South Australia to offer Wi-Fi networking technology for the ultimate in connectivity throughout the entire conference floor. High-speed broadband services enable video conference capability from any room.

COUNTRY CHARMS

The Mercure Grand Mount Lofty House has introduced a package of new services for corporate meetings. The new corporate activity program was a great way to inject a sense of fun into a planning day or conference, as well as a relaxed way to encourage teamwork and communication with staff.

Such products as a one day cooking retreat, featuring an Adelaide Hills food and wine producer, is a great way to reward staff or to create a memorable experience for VIP clients.

For small meetings or corporate retreats, head for the hills or such boutique properties as the Chapel Hill Winery in the McLaren Vale district. The self-contained three bedroom guesthouse has breathtaking views of the Onkaparinga River National Park, the Gulf of St Vincent and the surrounding vineyards. The Chapel Hill Winery Gourmet Retreat is a great product for executive getaways and think tanks, accommodating up to 20 guests in 10 guestrooms. A state-of-the-art kitchen has tiered seating for demonstration cooking classes, while the winery’s board room is equipped with data projector and electronic whiteboard.

Another great corporate retreat venue is Abbotsford House in the Barossa Valley. Set on 20 hectares with some of the best views in the region, accommodation comprises eight suites spread through its colonial Georgian-style main homestead and two guest cottages.