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Victorian conference venues
by Phillip Tarrant
To host a productive conference, start with the right venue.
Have you ever considered Victoria? The Garden State offers conference-goers
something a little different from tropical Queensland and bustling
New South Wales. If you’re looking for quaintness, a country ambience
and old-style Australian hospitality, the state has it all. Maybe
you’ll love every piece of Victoria?
Contents
Deakin Management Centre
You want to impress your business associates, don’t you? You want
your delegates to feel good? Then why not use a dedicated conference
venue for your next event?
Deakin Management Centre has fine turned its conference facilities
to ensure your organisation has access to the latest technology,
including instant internet access, high-quality presentation equipment,
e-mail communication and the latest in user-friendly software.
All accommodation and conference rooms have internet connections
and full technical support provided by Deakin’s own in-house crew.
"Our combination of quality computer equipment and personal
service helps our clients to focus on training issues and what they
want to present, rather than worrying about setting up equipment
or making it work," says Brett Greenwood of guest services.
"We make it easy for you."
Deakin Management Centre also provides that extra personal touch
in its conferencing packages with accommodation quarters that allow
you to relax after a hectic day’s networking and conferencing. Your
conference or seminar is always a busy time; it may be stressful;
you may feel anxious – perhaps you don’t even want to be there.
Being able to relax at the end of the conference day is essential
if you are to prepare for tomorrow. The centre helps you out with
complimentary newspapers, room service, shop runs, refreshments
and even a secretarial service to get your business tasks done.
There is also an exclusive, 14-room Directors Wing with its own
state-of-the-art meeting room, working office, private dining and
board room, lounge, terrace and spa. This allows small groups the
opportunity to work in total privacy and luxury.
After-conference activities include team-building exercises, fitness,
fun and games and time-out activities. There is a golf driving-range,
3km cycling track, adventure course, tennis courts, heated pools
and spas – all at your fingertips. The beaches are close by if you
want to go catch a wave or work on your tan. The centre can arrange
activities such as fishing, rock climbing and abseiling for those
who are interested.
Deakin Management Centre, (03) 5227 3000, http://www.synergymg.com.au
Mt Buller Chalet Hotel
Fancy hurtling down a mountainside on a high-tech mountain bike?
Perhaps a spot of horse riding before you make your way to dinner
overlooking the scenic Australian Alpine Mountains? If so, Mt Buller
may be just what you’re looking for.
Situated in the heart of Victoria’s High country and only three
hours from Melbourne, it’s easy to escape the hustle and bustle
of city life at the Mt Buller Chalet Hotel. Whether you are having
a board meeting for 10 or a conference for 150, Mt Buller can offer
you the flexibility and resources to ensure success.
The purpose-built conference area overlooks the mountains and includes
state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate every conference need you
might have. Accommodation is available for up to 150 guests in 50
spacious king or twin rooms or in 11 luxury one-bedroom suites with
separate lounges. All rooms have ensuite bathroom. Executive suites
are also an ideal setting for private dinners and cocktail parties.
The Mt Buller Chalet Hotel offers a number of dining options in
different locations with commanding views. If you are looking for
a laid-back BBQ on the terrace or a silver service dining experience,
Mt Buller’s specialised catering team will impress you and can specially
tailor menus to meet individual needs.
After-conference opportunities include various sports, leisure
and team-building activities, hot air ballooning, horse riding,
mountain bike riding, flora and fauna walks and 4WD trips. Conference
delegates will also find on hand an indoor heated swimming pool,
spa, saunas, steam rooms, gymnasium, massage therapists and squash
courts.
Mt Buller Chalet Hotel, (03) 5777 6566, http://www.mtbullerchalet.com.au
Cumberland Lorne Resort
Cumberland Lorne Resort is one of the largest purpose-built conference
and leisure resorts in Victoria. Offering superb facilities and
activities, Cumberland Lorne is only 90 minutes from downtown Melbourne
and is situated along the world famous Great Ocean Road.
The resort offers state-of-the-art professional conference facilities
against the backdrop of one of Victoria’s most-loved beach areas.
The resort has won several prestigious conference venue awards and
it is not difficult to see why many consider the Cumberland Lorne
to be one of the most comprehensive venues of its type in Victoria.
Cumberland Lorne has first-class facilities, including a specialised
350-seat auditorium. As one of the largest
and most sophisticated purpose-built conference centres in Victoria,
the resort is designed to cater for conventions, conferences, product
launches and trade displays of all sizes.
Conference staff and on-site recreational teams are available to
help with everything from arranging team building exercises to themed
events. Conference facilities can cater for between 15 and 400 delegates
in seven different rooms which include overhead projectors, 35mm
carousel projectors and whiteboards.
With 99 ensuite apartments and two a la carte restaurants, private
and outdoor dining areas and BBQ, Cumberland Lorne can tailor packages
to meet your needs. Rooms are charged at A$260-A$390 per person
per night.
A heated indoor pool, spa, sauna, gym, squash and tennis courts
are available for after-conference relaxation. There is also a 9-hole
golf course close by for an easy knock around at the end of the
day.
Cumberland Lorne Resort, (03) 5289 2400, http://www.cumberland.com.au
Aitken Hill Global Leadership Centre
Ideally located half an hour from Melbourne’s city centre and just
15 minutes from the airport, Aitken Hill Global Leadership Centre
is an excellent venue for your next conference or company event.
Covering 6,000 square metres of world class training and conference
facilities, Aitken Hill was designed, developed and is managed by
Australian resources giant BHP. The centre can cater for up to 250
delegates in a variety of board, seminar and syndicate rooms. Aitken
Hill also provides specialised senior executive and high-level conferencing
packages for up to 81 delegates. Expect to pay around A$260-A$390
per person per night at Aitken Gill for an ensuite bedroom. The
centre can also cater for sit-down functions in its a la carte restaurant
or can put together a great outdoor BBQ for more casual dining.
Meeting packages start at A$29 for a three hour session and up
to A$499 for an ultimate conference package. Aitken Hill provides
video conferencing, two 24-hour business centres and full support
services staffed by audio-visual/IT technicians.
The centre offers extensive recreational and leisure facilities,
including a 25-metre heated indoor pool, saunas, spa, fitness centre,
tennis courts, mountain bikes, volleyball courts and a six-hole
golf course. There are also pool and table-tennis tables located
in the centre.
For those in the mood for a jog or a walk, the centre’s 170 acre
property provides plenty of possibilities. Alternatively, you can
pound it out in a fully equipped gym with free weights, Stairmaster,
life cycles, treadmill and massage services.
Aitken Hill Global Leadership Centre, (03) 9217 4888, http://www.aitkenhill.com.au
The Continental Phillip Island
Phillip Island can offer much more than just the fairy penguins
and the racetracks. Overlooking the beachfront and Westernport Bay,
The Continental Hotel Phillip Island offers a conference venue with
a little extra.
The Continental’s purpose-built centre offers four-star accommodation,
seaside dining and unique natural surroundings, creating the perfect
environment for communicating ideas, building teams and exploring
different perspectives.
Residential conference packages are priced from A$179 per delegate
per day. This includes four-star accommodation in one of 76 ensuite
bedrooms, meals, conference centre hire – including audio-visual
equipment – and the use of recreational facilities.
Close to over 100 kilometres of beaches, the Continental Phillip
Island offers a variety of after-conference activities. If stepping
straight out from your conference onto the beach is your idea of
relaxing, then Phillip Island can go even further by tailoring team
building sports and social functions, with golf, horse riding, fishing
and cycling all at your finger tips.
The Continental Phillip Island can accommodate from three to 300
delegates in five different meeting and syndicate rooms. Add to
this the conference lounge with private bar, billiard table and
table tennis and there will probably be no excuse not to be productive.
The Continental Phillip Island, (03) 5952 2316, www.theconti.com.au
Business Retreats Australia
Finding a conference venue can be time consuming and a real pain
in the backside. Business Retreats Australia, however, is a company
that can assist you in booking and planing your next business conference
or retreat.
The company will help you short list and book from the pick of
training and conference venues, matched to your exacting needs –
from sole-occupancy corporate retreats to specialised residential
training centres to major hotels and resorts.
Business Retreats Australia can find the ideal conference – motivational,
strategic development, educational or other – and can recommend
travelling time, ambiance and recreational facilities. The company
can even organise venue familiarisation prior to your making a decision.
Whilst Business Retreats Australia cannot actually organise your
conference, the company can certainly point you in the right direction
to make that all-important decision on the venue.
Business Retreats Australia, 1800 800 505, http://www.businessretreats.com.au
This article first appeared in Human Resources, Issue 1.6.
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