International Fleet Review 2013

In late 2011, the Chief of Navy (CN) - Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN extended an invitation to over 50 nations to send a warship and/or tall ship to participate in an International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held in Sydney from 3 - 11 October 2013. The Review is being held to commemorate the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet into Sydney. On 4 October 1913 the flagship, HMAS Australia, led the new Australian Fleet Unit comprising HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney, Encounter, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra into Sydney Harbour for the first time to be greeted by thousands of cheering citizens lining the foreshore. This was a moment of great national pride and importance, one recognised as a key indicator of Australia's progress towards national maturity.

The IFR is a high profile international event and Navy's signature commemorative event for 2013. Planned in partnership with the NSW State Government and the City of Sydney, it is anticipated that approximately 40 visiting warships and 12 tall ships will participate in this historic event. The RAN Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Congress and Exposition are also scheduled to take place at Darling Harbour from 7 October 2013 to coincide with the IFR.

The current plan will see RAN and visiting warships rendezvousing in Jervis Bay, NSW by 2 October 2013 to conduct final preparations and briefings. The formal aspects of the IFR will commence with all tall ships entering Sydney Harbour on Thursday 3 October 2013 and all warships entering on Friday 4 October 2013 - exactly 100 years after the first RAN Fleet entry.

More event information is available on the International Fleet Review 2013 web pages.

• Date: 3 October 2013 to 11 October 2013
• Time: Refer to the Schedule of Events below
• Where: Various locations around Sydney, NSW
• Cost: Free

 

Schedule of Events

Note: The following program is subject to change.

3 October 2013

• Warships depart for passage to Sydney.
• Tall ships entry. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• Australian Surf Rowers League (ASRL) "Team Navy ASRL Flotilla". Location: Sydney Harbour.

4 October 2013

• Fleet entry. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• Flypast by rotary and fixed winged aircraft. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• Australian Surf Rowers League luncheon. Location: Sydney Opera House.

5 October 2013

• Dress ship. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
• Ceremonial Fleet Review. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• Formation flypast by rotary and fixed winged aircraft. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• Military demonstrations.
• Pyrotechnics and Lightshow. Location: Sydney Harbour.

6 October 2013

• Ships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.
• Interfaith Religious Service. Location: St Mary's Cathedral.

7 October 2013

• Opening of Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific Maritime Trade Show (Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition). Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
• Combined Navies Band concert (to be confirmed).
• Ships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.

8 October 2013

• Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition continue. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
• Memorial Service. Location: Cenotaph, Martin Place.

9 October 2013

• Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition continue. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• Combined Navies Parade. Location: George Street - The Rocks to Town Hall.
• Food Festival/BBQ for parade participants. Location: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour.
• Sea Power Conference 2013. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• Twilight sailing with RAN Sailing Association. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• Closing of Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.

10 October 2013

• Tall ships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.

11 October 2013

• Warships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.

Need affordable and comfortable accommodation close the fleet locations in Sydney?

Metro Hotels offer comfortable hotel rooms and apartments around Sydney city that will keep you close these venues and major public transport hubs. So whether you're coming from interstate to Sydney or coming from overseas, we've got you covered!

• Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour (close walk to Sydney Harbour and Exhibition Centre)
• Metro Hotel Sydney Central (close walk or bus/taxi ride to Sydney Harbour and Exhibition Centre)
• Metro Hotel on Pitt (close train/bus or taxi ride to Sydney Harbour and Exhibition Centre)
• Aspire Hotel Sydney Ultimo (close train/bus or taxi ride to Sydney Harbour and Exhibition Centre)

Each hotel or serviced apartment is close to major train stations, buses or ferries. Because all four are situated in the city, there are plenty of taxis available to catch on the street. Many of the fleet locations can be reached by foot from our hotels. Nearby there are also supermarkets, shops, restaurants, convenience stores, ATMs, medical centres and public toilets all within walking distance.


Want discounts on your stay at Metro Hotels around Sydney? Here are some specials:

Start Of Financial Year Special @ Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour
Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour are offering this Start of Financial Year Special for $220.00* per night (minimum 3 night stay) including:

• Guaranteed free upgrade to Executive 
• 3 Night Minimum stay is required
• Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/314

Winter Sydney Great Saver @ Metro Hotel Sydney Central
Metro Hotel is offering this Winter Sydney - Great Saver package for $129.00 per room per night including:

• Free wireless internet 
• Free Breakfast for 2 adult 
• Free bottle of wine on arrival 
• Free late check out by 12 noon (Subject to availability).
• Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/307

Bed and Breakfast PLUS Package @ Metro on Pitt
Metro Hotel on Pitt is offering this Bed and Breakfast PLUS Package including:

• One Nights Accommodation
• Hot Buffet Breakfast for two
• Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/217

Park and Stay Special at Aspire Hotel Sydney @ Aspire Hotel
Aspire Hotel Sydney is offering this Park and Stay Special:

• Book for 3 nights accommodation at Aspire Hotel Sydney and get free parking
• Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/106

Plans for Sydney Showground Expansion Revealed

Plans to expand the exhibition facilities at the Sydney Showground were announced at the Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA) 2013 Leaders Forum this week.

The Sydney Showground told industry leaders it would be calling for tenders for a new purpose-built exhibition pavilion of 8,000sqm of clear span exhibition space with a total footprint of 11,000sqm. This would take Sydney Showground’s total offering to 30,000sqm, making it the largest in Sydney.

Sydney Showground GM, Peter Thorpe, said the EEAA Leaders Forum provided the perfect platform to announce their plans. “With more than 50 industry leaders present, all engaged in two days of leadership and business planning, the forum provided an excellent opportunity for us to ensure our planning is robust and future focused and that our infrastructure is capable of meeting business needs and demands,” he added.

Joyce DiMascio, GM of the EEAA said the new facilities will allow Sydney Showground to attract new events and to meet the demand for space to stage events in the expanding events industry.

“The significant investment in infrastructure for exhibitions and events is a very positive sign for the continued expansion of the industry,” she added. “Increased capacity offers new opportunities for organisers and suppliers as well as improved visitor and exhibitor experiences.

“The news of Sydney Showground's expansion plans comes at a time when the landscape for venues in Sydney is changing substantially. The EEAA has long-advocated the merits of dual precinct strategy for major expos.”

The new building is to be located next to the Dome and Halls with details of intended design to be released at the conclusion of the tender period in mid to late May 2013.

Following the closure of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in December 2013, Sydney Harbour Expo at Glebe Island will provide 25,000sqm of space and now the Sydney Showground will also provide additional space.

The Future is Bright for Business Events in Sydney

Business Events Sydney (BESydney), in partnership 12 co-exhibitors, will shine the spotlight on Sydney’s spectacularly bright future at this month’s Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expos (AIME).

Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 26-27 February, AIME is the Asia-Pacific region’s must-attend event for the meetings and events industry.

Sydney and NSW’s world-class venues and suppliers will fly the flag for NSW at the Destination Sydney stand (#1522), showcasing the scope of the state’s unique opportunities for event planners.

The harbour city will also be showing off Australia’s largest convention and exhibition facilities – an exciting development that will bolster the city’s already stellar reputation as one of the world’s favourite places to do business.

The International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) will have its own stand (#1422), where AIME visitors will be able to see a model of the current design and talk to the consortium that will build and operate the facilities when they open in late 2016.

Other new developments on show include The Star’s recently opened Event Centre, a multi-purpose venue designed to host A-list acts, conferences, exhibitions and awards functions, and Royal Randwicks’ $150 million redevelopment (opening in August), which includes a four-star hotel, ballroom and outdoor amphitheatre, as fantastic locations for upcoming business events.

Construction is also currently underway at Barangaroo, a 22-hectare former container port that is being transformed into a $6 billion extension of the city and which will include office space, residential apartments, public parks and event space, and a hotel, cafes and shops.

Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney, says that Sydney is open for business, and industries, government and communities are working together like never before.

“The venue options are abundant in Sydney and the redevelopment of Darling Harbour is the perfect opportunity for the city to showcase its diverse venues and the agility and flexibility of its suppliers,” Ms Lewis-Smith says.

“Also, many national conferences are literally getting out of town and benefitting from the unique activities and specialised knowledge hubs in regional NSW locations such as the Hunter Valley and Wollongong,” Ms Lewis-Smith said.

“NSW welcomes almost half of all international business arrivals to Australia. We are, and will continue to be, the country’s premier business events destination, now and in the future.”

Destination Presentations will be held at the Destination Sydney stand on Tuesday February 26 at 11.35 am and Wednesday February 27 at 1.15 pm. Register at www.aime.com.au  to attend.

One Great City

One Great City

Three Great Hotels

Metro Hotel on Pitt    

Metro Hotel Sydney Central 

                                 

Aspire Hotel Sydney

Are you a………………

•     Professional conference organiser?
•     Event Management company?
•     National or State Association / Institute?
•     Not-for-profit organisation?
•     Private enterprise?
•     Government department?

And, do you need to book hotel accommodation from time to time for………………

•     Conferences & seminars
•     Training workshops
•     Annual General Meetings
•     Special events
•     Staff functions
•     Sales meetings

…..or any other event?

If you do then the Metro Hotels would like you to consider our two flagship properties located in Sydney’s central business district:-

1.    Metro Hotel on Pitt <embed link to property page on our web site>
2.    Metro Hotel Sydney Central <embed link to property page on our web site>
3.    Aspire Hotel Sydney <embed link to property page on our web site>

Each property offers convenient and quality accommodation at an affordable price.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central and Aspire Hotel Sydney also offer meeting facilities ideal for hosting small to medium events.

The Metro Hotel on Pitt is centrally located near the corner of Bathurst and Pitt Streets and is only a 2 minute walk to Sydney Town Hall. This property has undergone a soft refurbishment over the past twelve months and it is now seen by many organisations as an ideal accommodation venue for their events.

The Metro Hotel Sydney Central has recently completed major refurbishment of 88 rooms with the remaining 132 rooms confirmed for refurbishment by April 2013. Located on the corner of Bathurst and Pitt Streets (directly opposite the iconic Capitol Theatre) this 220 room hotel offers a convenient and affordable accommodation alternative for many organisations.

The Aspire Hotel Sydney provides ideal hotel Accommodation for travellers attending events at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre and Sydney Entertainment Centre or escaping to Sydney for a short getaway.
Aspire Hotel Sydney offers guest's the best Sydney has to offer like the Powerhouse Museum, Chinatown, IMAX Theatre, Star City Casino, Paddy's Markets, Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Entertainment Centre; all within walking distance of the hotel.

Further details can also be obtained by logging on to our website www.MetroHotels.com.au and clicking on the relevant hotel.

And if you’re still not completely convinced, then why not come and have a look for yourself. As the saying goes “Seeing is Believing” and we would be only too happy to show you around either or both properties.

Do you need more information or want us to quote on your next event or group accommodation needs?

Simply contact: Mr. Richard Amour
            Business Development Manager
            Tel: (02) 9211 1499
            Email: ramour@metrohg.com

Do you need more information or want us to quote on your next function or meeting requirements?

Simply contact: Mr. Div Grover
            Business Development Manager
            Tel: (02) 9282 0140
            Email: dgrover@metrohg.com

SICEEP to ‘Blow Away’ MCEC

THE NSW Tourism Minister has declared the redeveloped Sydney Convention + Exhibition Centre (SCEC) will not just rival that of Victoria’s prime conference venue, but “blow Melbourne out of the water” when it opens by 2017. Speaking with BEN, George Souris - who is also the Minister for Major Events - referred to the size of the project as “humongous”, enabling Sydney to offer greater competition to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

“It’s going to be a long year, but we are building something twice the size of what we were initially planning,” Souris said. Facilities include what’s billed as Australia’s largest exhibition space, at 40,000sqm, and the country’s biggest convention hall capacity for 10,000 people over four different spaces. While the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition & Entertainment Precinct’s design is still to be finalised, the Minister confirmed the project was likely to result in events being turned away during the rebuild stage.

Questioned if the substitute Glebe Island facility - along with other alternative venues across the city - would result in conferences being hosted intrastate, Souris said “I’d say so.” “We’re hoping to make sure we cover the bases, but there will be events that will say ‘We’ll be back in a years time”. He said the SICEEP would take the better part of two years to construct, with the existing SCEC closing from Dec next year. Classed for all intents and purposes as a ‘pull down, start again’ project, Souris believes the SICEEP design will integrate some of the existing halls of the SCEC during its redevelopment.

Within the project is a brand new build hotel for Sydney, sitting just below the 5-star standard. Souris was unable to comment on which hotel group was linked to the project, but confirmed it would not compete against The Star’s ‘6-star’, The Darling. As detailed in the November update on the SICEEP website, a “hotel use” site is earmarked for the Northern Sector of the precinct near the water at the existing Convention Centre. 

Two groups of companies have submitted bids to design, plan and operate the new facilities, Destination Sydney and VeNuSW. Among VeNuSW’s partners (via a joint venture with Plenary Group) is Hilton Worldwide. Back in June, Hilton Worldwide announced plans to debut its DoubleTree by Hilton brand in the Australian market with a new build property in Karratha, WA, saying at the time the DoubleTree brand has potential growth prospects in Australasia.

Entertainment Centre Loses 4000 Seats

A plan to build a 12,000-seat stadium to replace the Sydney Entertainment Centre has been dumped in favour of an 8000-seater arena.
Infrastructure NSW is due to present its plans for the new Sydney Convention site to cabinet for approval after receiving proposals from two private consortiums.
Defending the decision to downgrade the ageing Darling Harbour venue, an INSW spokeswoman claims that Sydney already has Allphones Arena at Homebush, which seats 13,500, for bigger concerts.
“It is proposed the new entertainment venue at Darling Harbour will have a minimum seating capacity of 8000 people,” the INSW spokeswoman said.
In the past decade, only a handful of events at the Entertainment Centre were for 8000 people or more.
“While the existing Sydney Entertainment Centre has a capacity of 12,000 people in sports mode, it seats 10,000 people in concert mode,” the spokeswoman said.
Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive John Lee said there was an argument that with The Star casino opening a 4000-seat complex and the Allphones Arena housing 13,500, there needed to be a mid-sized venue.

Source: The Daily Telegraph Friday 23 November 2012 Page 9

MEA Awards Open 25th National Conference Sydney

The MEA Industry Awards that recognise excellence and best business practice in the Meetings & Events Industry, are now open. The awards encourage industry professionals to excel in the achievement of their business and personal goals, and reward those who achieve outstanding results. Winners enjoy considerable profile within the meetings industry and with the general buying public.

In all but Individual Awards, members self-nominate for an Award by addressing a range of criteria that are relevant to the particular category or categories they are entering.

Candidates for MEA Individual Awards are nominated by a third party such as an employer, client, supplier or colleague who is responsible for completing the written application.

All Award submissions must be submitted on official award submission templates. The submissions are then judged by a panel of industry and independent judges. Short-listed candidates are interviewed by telephone to determine the category winner. Applications close 18 January 2013.

(Source: Business Events News, 7th November 2012)