Western Australia - conference difference

Those in the know recognise that Western Australia's best qualities are those that only slightly differ from their eastern counterparts.

The western part of the continent may be a long way from the east coast but that's no reason not to consider it for a conference or special event. After the 'big city' prices of Sydney and Melbourne, Western Australia will be a very pleasant surprise and more than make up for the extra cost of flying delegates across the Nullarbor Plain.

>> Perth conference & meeting venues

PERTH GLORY

So what does WA have that other states don't? For a start, there's Perth, probably the prettiest, friendliest, most cost-effective city in Australia. And although our win of the America's Cup was a short-lived victory, it spawned a luxury-hotel sector that does Perth proud.

The city's position on the Swan River, which snakes alongside the towering office blocks of the CBD and through some of the wealthiest suburbs in the city before emptying into the sea at Fremantle, provides some great opportunities. Cruise boats ply the water for cocktail parties and dinners, while yachting regattas hold a thrill factor that's hard to resist.

A welcome reception at Kings Park, overlooking the city and the Swan River, is always popular. So too an event in Fremantle, once a salty old port suburb that's now one of the most fashionable spots in the state.

Outside Perth, there are a number of wine districts to explore. The Swan Valley lies north of the city and is easily accessible for social afternoons or partner programs. The Margaret River region lies about three hours south. A number of small luxury boutique hotels have sprung up in recent times, making ideal venues for corporate retreats.

Broome is like another world, lying on the extremely isolated Kimberley coast. The outback is never more vivid than where the Indian Ocean laps at its shores, giving timelessness to the landscape that'll thrill delegates.

BOOMING BUSINESS

The state's business-tourism industry is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion annually, according to the National Business Events Study released late last year. Some two million delegates attended around 38,000 business events in WA in 2003, giving it about 12 per cent of the national total (more than 316,000 business events, worth $17.3 billion).

The Perth Convention Bureau's managing director, Anne-Maree Ferguson, said, "For Western Australia in particular, the survey shows that the business-tourism sector generates significant foreign exchange earnings for the state and it's important that the wider community is aware of its contribution. Convention delegates are regarded as super tourists because they spend up to six times more than the average visitor, dispersing around $600 a day into the economy."

RAISING THE BAR

New hotel projects continue to be part of the Perth landscape. In December, the 4 star Statton CBD Apartments opened in Murray Street, including 115 two bedroom self-contained apartments. In West Perth, The Outram boutique property has 18 suites and four one bedroom apartments.

In the meantime, Perth's long-established conference hotels continue to push the envelope when it comes to hosting fine events.

For 30 years, the Sheraton Perth Hotel has been servicing the conference market. With 2,252 square metres of meetings and function space, the Sheraton has two pillarless ballrooms and 16 other conference and function rooms. The banqueting menu, while specialising in modern international cuisine, caters for all special needs ñ including halal, vegetarian, gluten-free, low fat and low salt.

Delegates on residential meetings are pleased to find that all 386 guestrooms and suites have Swan River views, a 24 hour gym and 24 hour business centre. The Sheraton Perth is one of the few CBD properties with ISDN lines and high-speed Internet access in all meeting rooms, as well as HSIA in all guestrooms.
The 273 room Parmelia Hilton Perth, situated in the heart of Perth's shopping, nightlife and cultural districts, recently introduced 11 new guestrooms, an outdoor seating area for the award-winning Globe restaurant, and a unique piazza for sunset cocktails. The hotel secured the Australian Hotels Association award for Best Concierge and Guest Services.

The Burswood International Resort Casino has been named Australia's best venue for large conferences at the Meetings Industry Association of Australia's (MIAA) national awards late last year. Burswood and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre were named joint winners of the MIAA's Best Meeting Venue for More than 500 Delegates. This complements the string of awards Burswood has recently taken out, including being named the back-to-back winner of the Australian Tourism Award's Meetings and Business Tourism Award.

Burswood has a truly comprehensive range of meeting facilities, with more than 20 venue options. It caters for 21,000 people in the Burswood Dome, 2,300 people in the Burswood theatre, and smaller groups in the hotel's meeting rooms.

Construction is progressing on the 3.5 star Burswood Holiday Inn, which is scheduled to open mid year. The 291 guestrooms will boost the total Burswood accommodation to more than 700 rooms.

>> Perth function rooms & meeting venues

HIT THE BEACH

Perth's only international 5 star beachside resort, the Rendezvous Observation City Hotel, is sparkling following its $3.5 million refurbishment, which transformed the property floor-by-floor throughout 2004. Features of the new guestroom design include new carpets, drapes, timber finishes, artworks, sumptuous beds, quilts, modern light fittings and other soft furnishings. Each room has been redesigned to create a contemporary, fresh look that will appeal to the corporate market, while emphasising the appeal of the beach.

The hotel's Plaza Club Executive levels were also refurbished and now offer business travellers an extra level of style, luxury and special service. The Plaza Club occupies the top three floors of the hotel, boasting 36 Plaza Club Rooms and six suites. Plaza Club Rooms provide guests with exclusive privileges, such as security access, complimentary breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and the relaxed, private Plaza Club Lounge located on the 23rd floor and offering magnificent views over the Scarborough coastline.

The lagoon-style swimming pool, overlooking the ocean, was also part of the refurbishment program. Recreational facilities include two full-sized flood-lit tennis courts, a fully equipped gymnasium and steam room.

With 14 meeting rooms, Rendezvous Observation City Hotel Perth has been very popular with the meetings fraternity.

VENUES WITH A DIFFERENCE

For special functions, the Old Swan Brewery occupies a unique place, being as close as you can get to the Swan River without falling into it! The original brewery was built in 1880 and slaked the thirst of Western Australians for more than a century. Reflecting its heritage, this state-of-the-art microbrewery, cafe/restaurant and function venue is open seven days a week.

The Old Swan Brewery's Thomas Hardwick Room and Swan Foyer can seat up to 160 guests theatre style. Delegates will be delighted to try the brewery's own products, which include pale ale, pilsener and porter.

Joondalup Resort's main attraction is just as addictive but a little better for the health. In January this year, Golf Australia Magazine reported the Quarry/Dune courses at Joondalup had once again taken out the number-one spot for Best Resort Course.

Joondalup is also acclaimed for its conference facilities, able to host up to 350 people in flexible configurations. The Grand Ballroom can seat up to 200 people theatre style or 180 for banquets, while a range of smaller rooms each seat from 60 to 80 people theatre style. An 18 seat board room rounds out the facilities.

MEETING IN MARGARET

In the Margaret River district, the boutique Cape Lodge has been rated in the top 10 places to stay in the Australasia and South Pacific region by respected American publication, Conde Nast Traveler.

Near Yallingup, it was the only WA property in the running and was placed ahead of some of the world's finest resorts, hotels and spas.

Cape Lodge recently underwent extensive renovations and additions. The $3 million upgrade included eight new luxury lakeside suites and a new restaurant exclusive to hotel guests. The restaurant, sitting over a private lake, incorporates two executive board rooms and a 14,000 bottle temperature-controlled cellar.
Merribrook Retreat, also in the Margaret River, has reopened & refurbished and re-branded ñ after the completion of a stylish $1 million upgrade. In addition, Merribrook has established itself in the wellness market, creating the region's first holistic, integrated health retreat. Despite the changes, the small meetings market, based around the retreat's 40 person capacity conference room, remains important to Merribrook.

The Hilton International has announced plans to manage a $52 million resort in the heart of Margaret River. Scheduled to open in 2007, the resort will feature 115 one and two bedroom suites, 15 executive suites and 26 luxury bushland villas. The resort will be sympathetic to the natural surroundings, hidden in a secluded valley and fringed by working vineyards. Constructed above an existing 6.6 hectare lake, and only accessible by boardwalk or boat, a luxury day spa and health centre will become the centrepiece of the property. Other facilities will include a lakeside restaurant and conference venues.

TEEING OFF

Australia's newest world-class resort golf course & The Cut at Port Bouvard, near Mandurah south of Perth & opened for play in early January after a two year development program under designer Jim Wilcher, Greg Norman's chief designer in Australasia for 10 years.

The Cut has a $5 million world-class clubhouse due to open in March. Plans are underway for the development of a resort hotel, apartments and villas adjoining the course. Port Bouvard is the only residential resort development in WA that has direct Indian Ocean and Peel Inlet estuary frontages, a modern marina and canals, as well as the 18 hole championship-standard golf course.