State of excitement

The rest of the country might not like to admit it, but South Australia is a haven for both domestic and international meetings.
Is there something to be said for the fact that a recent survey conducted by UK business magazine The Economist found Adelaide was the best city in Australia for business travel?



In fact, it was rated the fourth best in the world out of 127 cities.

This led Martin Winter, chief executive of the Adelaide Convention Tourism Authority, to remark: “Adelaide’s world-class convention facilities and hotels, great affordability and accessibility have always been very positively received by business travellers, however it’s great to get another perspective from such a highly regarded business authority. In how many other major cities can you arrive at the airport and check into a 5 star hotel within half an hour, be adjacent to a fabulous convention centre, and be just 30 minutes from beautiful beaches and wineries?”

Certainly, wines play their part in the attraction of South Australia as a meetings destination. The Barossa, Clare and McLaren valleys are short jaunts outside Adelaide, and the state is so compact that travelling around is very easy indeed. Its reputation as a magnet for lovers of fine food has been well established, and restaurants throughout Adelaide and the countryside attract international attention.

>> Conference & meeting venues in South Australia

Conference facilities are well appointed and well patronised. Hotels in the Adelaide CBD are all in close proximity, which makes holding large-scale meetings a breeze.

Upcoming events for 2007 include the World Police and Fire Games in March, 4th Australian Wine Industry Environment Conference in August and the Concrete Institute of Australia 23rd Biennial Conference in October.

Delegate access has been bolstered by the October 2005 opening of the Adelaide International Airport’s new $260 million terminal, which can handle up to 27 aircraft simultaneously. More than five million passengers pass through the airport each year, with Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue linking the rest of Australia. Such international operators as Air Malaysia, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines fly into Adelaide, accounting for 26 international flights a week.