The service was amazing, so attentive... actually too attentive, as they kept refilling my glass of red and I am “a one glass of wine girl”!  Anything above that and I’m in the danger zone.  They thankfully stopped as soon as I finally remembered to remind them that I’d had enough of the lovely drop.  This was a business dinner after all.  The company was great too; I met two lovely ladies that I would love to stay in touch with.

The ambiance of the restaurant was quite unassuming and not pretentious at all, despite this restaurant being no stranger to top awards.  Only recently it collected Two Hats, 2012 The Age Good Food Guide Two Stars, 2012 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide and Three Glass Rating, 2012 Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine List of the Year Awards.

The private dining area is not too big and is semi-private. It can cater comfortably for 14 guests. You can choose to view the rest of the dining room or pull the curtains shut to have your own peace and quiet.   There is even a plasma screen in the room for any presentations that you may have during your event.

I highly recommend this restaurant for your next special dinner or lunch.

http://www.ezard.com.au/
While I am at it, I should mention their sister restaurant Ginger Boy where they serve food and flavours from South East Asia. They have a private function room for up to 60 guests for a cocktail and 16 – 20 for a sit-down dinner.  The room has a self-contained bar.

http://www.gingerboy.com.au/
Ezard also has a restaurant in Sydney in the Star Casino.  Black by Ezard is a contemporary take on the Australian Grill.  It has a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere, with beautiful dark timber used throughout the restaurant.  It has two private dining rooms and one semi-private dining room.  This venue is a great choice for those special meetings or events.  Although I have not yet dined in this restaurant I am sure the food is absolutely amazing!
http://www.star.com.au/sydney-restaurants/signature-fine-dining/Pages/black.aspx

Please contact the Business Retreats team if you’d like to know more about these great unique venues.

Recently I went on a site visit to two unique venues that are located on the outskirts of the CBD; Story and Thoroughbred.  These spaces are managed by Marekai Events, an innovative company that specialises in creating individual events within the unique venues they adopt.  

For the groups that are looking for a casual bar space that is completely private and equipped with conference facilities such as a projector or wifi then Story is the venue for you.  I love this venue because it is extremely flexible and can accommodate anything from an intimate meeting for 20 to a casual art workshop for 100.

There a two separate conference spaces both which contain natural light.  One space is quite corporate and is ideal for meetings, whereas the other is the bar space that is ideal for the special events such as dinners or cocktails.  The bar space is more eclectic in its style, with furniture and artwork that doesn’t match giving it that Melbournian charm.  There’s access to an outdoor area that would be fantastic for cocktail events in summer.  The floor of the courtyard area is covered with synthetic turf and decked out with classic wooden furniture, giving it a relaxing inner city outdoor atmosphere.   This venue is suitable for various budgets and Marekai will attempt to tailor their packages to suit different events for this venue.

I’m still absolutely amazed when I still have people ask me .....”So how allergic are you really?”  I still have arguments with chefs who insist eggs are a dairy product and waiters who believe calamari is a shell fish.  Education of hospitality staff is imperative as I have experienced waiters insist that a prawn isn’t shell fish and that they guarantee I can eat it.  This is not only poor service, but for event organisers this is a big risk factor.   

My biggest concern with dietery requirements is when I go to buy a simple cup of coffee.  The amount of times I still have to watch and ensure my coffee is actually made with soy is amazing.  I have experienced taking a sip of coffee that has been made with cow’s milk, even after the waiter insisted it was definitely soy.  After questioning the waiter again, I then had them double check for them to realise they’d actually made a mistake.  There was only a casual apology, a bit of a laugh and no realisation of the seriousness of their mistake.  Some hospitality staff are completely unaware that although you may not drop dead in front of them, the rest of your day is ruined as you’ll then be sick for the remainder of it.

I’ve compiled a few simple tips to tackle dietaries at events, but please feel free to share your stories or tips on our Facebook page.  We would love to hear about your experiences.

• Ensure you’ve explained your exact dietary requirements to the event organiser before the event.  Some requirements are difficult for chefs to cater for without notice.
• For complicated dietary requirements see if you can have a printout explaining what you can eat sent to the chefs.  Some chefs or event organisers will even call you to go through the exact requirements.
• For cocktail events, eat something before you come if you know dietaries are not being catered for.
• At cocktail events, ask the event staff if they’re able to assist you with a special plate of food.  You’ll be surprised how many actually will go out of their way to assist you.
• If you’re ever concerned about what you’re being offered don’t be afraid to check.  It is not worth feeling ill.
• Encourage the people around you to be educated about your dietary requirements.  Even if the intolerance is not deadly it still can be serious to your health.

Organisers can host their events in a variety of spaces, from a boardroom meeting for 30 surrounded by trees in the Treetops room to an elegant cocktail in the grand museum foyer for 2000. 

Imagine guests venturing through the museum at night, experiencing some of Australia’s greatest historical displays.  For that WOW factor, groups can dine next to Phar Lap or experience Melbourne’s story from the mid 1800’s where guests can explore the interactive displays.  Catering and event operations at Melbourne Museum are managed by Peter Rowland Catering, so you can be assured of a high quality service.    We recommend this venue for groups that want to educate, WOW their guests or experience something imaginative.  

I’ve been to Warrnambool many times before for family holidays and friend’s weddings, but never really did much while I was there.  When you think of a three hour drive to regional Victoria it feels like an eternity, especially when you could fly to the Gold Coast in two.  This is often the response I have had when looking at this destination for Victorian conferences and found it very hard to think of exciting activities that could be included as part of the trip.  I was pleasantly surprised and after this weekend feel so inspired by this beautiful region...... and actually it is very cost effective too!

An aspect of Sebel Deep Blue that is a fantastic selling point is the fact they have a thermal mineral spa within their day spa.    With the stunning views surrounding Sebel Deep Blue, it is a shame that there is no natural light in the conference room however the pre function areas do have outdoor access with plenty of natural light.  The light colouring of the conference rooms still gives the space an open and relaxing atmosphere.  The conference rooms are all located within the one area, so delegates don’t need to find their way around the hotel for breakout sessions.  There are a total of three spaces that can accommodate up to 350 delegates cocktail however accommodation would need to be a combination of twin share and the use of surrounding accommodation venues.

For the trip down to Warrnambool we were given the opportunity to self drive to Sebel Deep Blue and in our driving packs we were presented with a toy whale and activities.   The toy whale was to feature in our photos along the way where we could accumulate points if we took photos of items listed on our activity sheet.  This was a great example of a fun activity that could be organised to make the time go faster on the trip down and actually was a talking point for the entire weekend!  
After settling into our spacious rooms we enjoyed some pre-dinner canapés in one of the stunning penthouse suites, before heading out to Flagstaff Maritime Village.   Flagstaff Maritime Village is both a museum with Australia's richest shipwreck collection and an 1870's village located on the state heritage listed Lady Bay Lighthouse precinct, which is still operational.   This is a great unique venue for an offsite dinner or activity.  We were able to experience drinks in the old style ‘local’ pub which was decorated in paraphernalia from the 1800’s.   After dark the village set the scene of maritime life with a laser light show that retold the stories of Warrnambool.

The next day it was activity time for all of us with our first stop being Saltmarsh Artful living.    I absolutely loved this venue and highly recommend it for any groups looking to explore their creative sides.   Glenistair Hancock is one of the owners of the beautiful workshop and he gave us a crash course demonstration on glass blowing.  His creations are just stunning and to see the work behind the items that are displayed throughout the shop was really insightful.  The demonstrations are great for groups up to 20 and small individually designed corporate gifts can be pre-organised for your group if required.   After exploring our creative sides it was off to the park to explore our emotional sides.   

Scott Dargan from Red Rock Alliance took us through some EQ (Emotional Intelligence) profiling, which was actually really fascinating.  Red Rock Alliance is a facilitation company that are able to work with groups to improve leadership skills by developing attitudes, behaviours and communication of individuals or teams.  The structure of the workshop was casual in the outdoor setting, but engaging and relevant to many different individuals in our session.  Scott was able to keep us engaged and entertained, while teaching us how we can utilise our various personality traits within our workplaces.    All of the emotional exploration certainly worked up an appetite.  Sebel Deep Blue was able to bring their catering team out to the park to cook a delicious BBQ lunch for us.  This is well worth thinking about for conferences, where the entire day could be organised outdoors and only about five minutes walk from the hotel.

On the final day we were lucky enough to explore the breathtaking coastline of Warrnambool by doing a condensed version of the Amazing Race, facilitated by Adventure for Life.   After taking a little bit of time to work out how to use our GPS we were finally off walking the boardwalks that surrounded the rugged beaches.  Unfortunately our team was not the fastest, but it was none the less a fun experience.

This trip certainly helped me realise the amount of fantastic activities that are available in this region.  It is well worth considering Warrnambool for your next event or conference.

As venue finders we are often asked for a unique venue that has natural light, plenty of space to breakout, easy access and great conference facilities.  This isn’t always easy to find, however Melbourne is a great city that always seems to surprise us with little hidden gems.

Recently I went on a site visit to two unique venues that are located on the outskirts of the CBD; Story and Thoroughbred.  These spaces are managed by Marekai Events, an innovative company that specialises in creating individual events within the unique venues they adopt.   

For the groups that are looking for a casual bar space that is completely private and equipped with conference facilities such as a projector or wifi then Story is the venue for you.  I love this event venue because it is extremely flexible and can accommodate anything from an intimate meeting for 20 to a casual art workshop for 100.    There a two separate conference spaces both with natural light.  One space is quite corporate and is ideal for meetings, whereas the other is the bar space that is ideal for the special events such as dinners or cocktails.  The bar space is more eclectic in its style, with furniture and artwork that doesn’t match giving it that Melbournian charm.  There’s access to an outdoor area that would be fantastic for cocktail events in summer.  The floor of the courtyard area is covered with synthetic turf and decked out with classic wooden furniture, giving it a relaxing inner city outdoor atmosphere.   This event venue is suitable for various budgets and Marekai will attempt to tailor their packages to suit different events for this venue.

It started on a stunning warm spring night as I walked up to a red carpet entrance.   Unfortunately no paparazzi were in attendance and I certainly wasn’t in a designer dress!  The sun sparkled over the water and with a drink in hand it was a great way to see these new unique venues.   All of these venues can accommodate groups with Byblos, River’s Edge and Wharf Hotel ideal for corporate events of varying styles.  We were given the chance to sample food along the wharf starting at Byblos Bar.  

Byblos Bar is a fantastic unique venue that is Mediterranean inspired.  This space is ideal for cocktails, dinners and special events up to around 130 guests.  Wilson’s Boathouse was next on the journey, a lovely open plan restaurant specialising in seafood.  This venue is great for group dining or maybe even as an informal event venue; however it doesn’t have private space.  
Further down the wharf we were treated to some delicious teppanyaki proudly offered by Kobe Jones.  Wharf Hotel took my attention next with the relaxing atmosphere of couches overlooking the water.  This is a great meeting venue or suitable for various styles of corporate events.  There is a fully equipped small private dining room, which can also be utilised as an informal private boardroom.  Groups can also take advantage of a semi-private bar area that has access to a private terrace that’s great as a unique venue.

During the event River’s Edge was home for some VIP’s to enjoy the entertainment of the DJ’s and other performers out on the stage over the water.   This space is a beautiful conference venue or can be used as an event venue.  Suitable for groups from 50 to 300, complete with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Yarra.  

This precinct will certainly be an asset for Melbourne especially with the new convention centre, Hilton South Wharf, Showtime Events and Polly Woodside all just across the river.  This new area is certainly worth exploring!        

Personal and professional conference services need detailed preparation

As the event planner, you need to be involved in the creative, technical and logistical preparation before and during the event.  The amount of effort, time and preparation you’ll exert will also depend on the function you’re planning:

• Corporate events – which include product launches, press conferences, corporate meetings and business conferences
• Marketing events – which include road shows, grand opening events and book signing
• Special events – which include concerts, award ceremonies, film premieres, fashion shows and commercial events

Organising an event can be tiresome and frustrating if you don’t know where to start or if you don’t take it seriously.  Checking all the details makes a huge difference.  Regardless of the type of function being organised, you at least have to include the following basic tasks in your checklist Theme, invitations and decorations

• Event venue and logistics
• Entertainment and audio-visual production
• Menu and catering
• Marketing
• Budget and cash flow management

A variety of event venues, from the unique to the most luxurious

One of the most important factors you have to consider in event organising is creating the overall atmosphere of the event – how your guests should feel from the moment they arrive until they leave.  Remember that different event venues present different ambience, so your chosen venue and the site setup should reflect the nature of the event.  Finding the perfect venue is a crucial stage in the planning process. 

Traditional event venues are function centres , hotels and convention centres, but nowadays, you can find the perfect venue by letting your creativity flow.  The sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing event venues.  There are gardens, ballrooms, rooftops, yachts, theatres, universities, and more to help you create a unique and lasting impression for your guests.  Whether you’re looking for intimate event venues or corporate meeting venues, the key factor is the appropriateness of the venue to your function.

• Hotel – a popular choice because of its accessibility, affordability, availability of facilities and amenities
• Conference centre – a good choice for conferences with a large number of attendees because of its spatial capacity and technological availability
• Meeting room – a perfect choice for business meetings, job interviews and forums because of its on-site technology, familiarity, and security
• Convention centre – a perfect choice for a large, professional event because of its guest capacity and technology capability
• Outdoor location – a great choice for fun, learning and camaraderie; includes zoos, botanical gardens, parks, conservatories, camps and lawns
• Theatre – a perfect choice to display class, elegance and glamour because of its luxury and style
• Stadium – a perfect choice for large corporate events like company picnics because of its casual but impressive atmosphere
• Yacht – an often overlooked event venue but perfect for intimate or corporate events because of its non-traditional style that leaves a dramatic and lasting impression
• Rooftop – a great choice for exclusive and important events because of its spectacular panoramic views and warm hospitality
• Ballroom – a perfect choice for a grand concert, dance or gala because of its luxury , space and guest capacity     
• Garden – a perfect choice for a cosy romantic, family or corporate event with a whimsical backdrop
• University – a convenient setting for large events like entertainment shows, recognition parties and class reunions because of its facilities and space
• Mansion – a perfect choice for exclusive events because of its luxurious architecture, grand interior and amazing exterior
• Museum – a non-traditional setting for both public and private events because of its classic and relaxing atmosphere     

Whether you choose traditional or unconventional event venues, remember that finding the perfect one is a key element to a successful corporate event.   Contact us now and we’ll help you find the perfect venue to suit all of your budget and logistical requirements.