BESydney expands the 2012 ABEE Hosted Buyer Program

Australia’s leading convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney), in conjunction with the Australian Business Event Expo (ABEE) and airline partner Qantas, has expanded the ABEE Hosted Buyer Program to include both Hosted and Semi-hosted Buyer Programs that will run from 14–16 August 2012.

Last year’s Hosted Buyer Program catered for a qualified number of fully hosted buyers. This year, expanding the program to two streams will introduce more local buyers to the show floor and enhance the quality and quantity of appointments for exhibitors.

“The expansion of the ABEE Hosted Buyer Program is a strategic decision to ensure ABEE’s show floor continues to be a dynamic platform for supplier and client connection, networking and business,” comments Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney.

“The two distinct programs ensure that both the hosted and semi-hosted buyer experience is productive, as well as educational, and really delivers on the modern day buyer’s needs. We’ve acted on feedback provided by previous participants and have made supplier appointments, key site inspections and networking the priorities in both programs.”

Jodie Richmond, CEO of Exhibition and Trade Fairs (the owner of ABEE) adds, “It is fantastic to work alongside Business Events Sydney and airline partner Qantas to grow the already successful ABEE Hosted Buyer Program. Our combined understanding of the business event market, paired with a savvy, concise format, will see the Program deliver enhanced results to both our Buyers and our Exhibitors this year.

Hosted buyers will receive complimentary Qantas return travel to Sydney and 2 nights' accommodation in a leading Sydney hotel. This program includes participation in the educational program that is punctuated with fantastic speaking talent, scheduled appointments, the Destination Site Inspection Tour, gala events and all ground logistics.

Semi-hosted buyers will have the opportunity to schedule appointments with suppliers, listen to selected speakers on the educational program and enjoy the ABEE Hosted Buyer Dinner. They will also have the option of participating in a full-day Destination Site Inspection Tour.

The Australian Business Events Expo runs from 15–16 August 2012 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and is the ultimate marketplace for business events in Australia.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central, NSW - 4 Stars on TripAdvisor By ABDUL RAHIM M, June 6, 2012

1) I stayed at the hotel from 30/5 until 4/6/12. Here are my comments:
a) the room was clean and was made up every day.
b) it will be much better if there are more lights in the room but since we didnt have the time
do much reading, it is okay.
c) the lifts were fast.
d) the location is superb : easy access and near to many of the attractions of Sydney.
e) will definitely stay there again.
2) For muslim travellers, there are 2 halal restaurants nearby : Cafe Kasturi on George St
which serve Malay food (closed on Sundays and the Christmas period) and an Indian
restaurant at Paddy's Market. There is a halal Chinese restaurant (Neptune Palace) at
Circular Quay.
3) If you want to go on a day trip ie to Canberra etc ..........it is much cheaper to book the tour
in Sydney itself rather than by booking it online, which is very strange indeed. For examples,
a) I booked a day trip to Canberra by online and it cost me AUD 155. A fellow traveller only
paid AUD 100 when she booked it at the travel agent near the YHA which is located nearby.
There is nothing exciting in Canberra except for the guided tour of the Parliament House.
Along the way we stopped at the beautiful small town of Berriwa which is an absolute gem.
I booked by online a tour to the Blue Mountains and it cost me AUD 155 (inclusive of lunch).
A similar trip cost only AUD 138 if the booking is done in Sydney. If you travel to Katoomba
by rail and then take the Hop On Hop Off bus there, the cost is even less.
4) From the hotel, walk to Central Station and take a train on the North Shore Line to Milson's
Point. There you can get a picturesque views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
Then walk across the bridge to The Rocks. The views are breathtaking.
5) The cheapest place to buy Australiana souvenirs is at the Paddy's market, within easy
walking distance from the hotel. The cheapest perfumes can be found at the shops of
Discount Chemist. I found one such shop at Bondi Beach. The prices were much cheaper
than those at the duty free shops at the airport.

Metro Hotels Appoints Business Development Manager - MICE

Metro Hotels has appointed Mr. Div Grover to the role of Business Development Manager – MICE for Metro Hospitality Group in Australia.

In this newly created role, Mr. Grover is responsible for building and maintaining the small meetings, incentives, conferences and events business for Metro Hospitality Group’s network of properties Australia-wide.

The position reports to Metro Hotel’s National Sales and Marketing Manager Gary Long, who today welcomed Mr Grover’s appointment.

“Div brings to this role significant experience in the hospitality industry gained over the past 9 years, Mr Long said.  

“While many hotels only cater for large events, it is often difficult to find venues for small meetings and seminars.  Metro Hotels is increasing its focus on the small meetings and functions market.  We see Div’s strong background in building and maintaining business relationships as instrumental in developing this niche market to drive business and further enhance the reputation and patronage of Metro Hotel’s network of properties,” he said.

Read on at Metro Hotels Press Releases

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Metro Hotel Sydney Central – Perfect For a City Escape

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is the perfect accommodation choice for visitors to Sydney, situated right in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment district and providing easy access to the best Sydney has to offer.

Situated directly opposite the Capitol Theatre, Metro Hotel Sydney Central is the ideal accommodation choice for theatre-goers, particularly with the amazing line-up of internationally-acclaimed productions planned for this year and next. 

Shows include Barry Humphries Farewell (July 5 – 14, 2012); A Chorus Line (July 20 – August 5, 2012); Eifman Ballet (August 15 – 26, 2012); Next to Normal (September 13 – 23, 2012); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (November 16 – December 16, 2012); The Addams Family (March 2013); and The Lion King (December 2013), and guests are advised to book their accommodation at the same time as they book their tickets to avoid disappointment.

To enjoy the above shows, Metro Hotel Sydney Central is offering a great value Capitol Theatre Special for $145* per night, which includes:

• One night’s accommodation in a Superior Queen Room
• Hot Buffet Breakfast for two adults
• Extended checkout until 12 noon the following day

*Tickets to Capitol Theatre are NOT included in this package
Subject to availability, may not be available for special event dates, and valid for stays until September 28, 2012


Located in Pitt Street in the city, Metro Hotel Sydney Central offers quality, comfortable accommodation, including 10 guest suites, 154 superior rooms and, for the more budget conscious, 66 well-equipped standard rooms.

Continue reading this press release at Metro Hotels News

QR Code for Metro Hotel Sydney Central Official Webpage

QR Code for Metro Hotel Sydney Central Official Webpage

Get to the Metro Hotel Sydney Central Homepage fast with the above QR code.

http://www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/new-south-wales/metro-hotel-sydney-central/welcome/

Metro Hotel Sydney Central To Butt Out Smoking - Metro Hotels

The 3 1/2 star Metro Hotel Sydney Central is set to make a fresh start to the new financial year by becoming a 100% smoke-free hotel.

"The move has come about following increased demand for more non-smoking rooms from a wide cross section of our clients," said Hotel General Manager, Ms. Sandra Calabretta.
And the timing for the changes couldn’t be better. “We are currently undergoing a refurbishment of the rooms and common areas of the hotel so it makes very good sense to make the switch now,” explains Ms Calabretta.

Since 2006 seventy per cent of the hotel plus the common areas have been smoke free. The hotel still had demand from some guests, mainly the Asian inbound groups, for smoking rooms so a number of floors were set aside to cater for this market.

“Over time we have seen a large decline in the need for smoking rooms from traditional markets so now it is a case of catering for the majority and not the minority,” said Ms. Calabretta.

In 2005, the Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour, also located in Sydney's CBD, was the first Metro property to adopt a smoke-free policy with no negative effect on the busines.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central To Butt Out Smoking - Metro Hotels

Extensive Refurbishment Underway for Metro Hotel Sydney Central - Metro Hotels

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is currently in the midst of an extensive refurbishment as it moves towards providing guests with a superior standard of rooms and facilities.

The 3½ star Sydney hotel is undergoing renovations designed to ensure guests enjoy a high level of facilities and services as well as value for money.

The first part of the program involving the redevelopment of the rooftop pool area, is now nearing completion, providing guests with a more welcoming and enjoyable venue in which to relax. Improvements to the area include a pool upgrade, re-tiling of the area, new and improved lighting and the addition of modern pool furniture.

The second stage of refurbishments is currently underway and will see a complete renovation of the hotel’s three guest lifts. One lift has already been completed and work is underway on the second lift. The third and final lift will be completed by the end of August.

According to Hotel General Manager, Ms Sandra Calabretta, the staged upgrade of the lifts ensured guests were not inconvenienced as two lifts remain operational at all times.

“The Hotel has more lifts than it actually requires to run efficiently, and so there has been no inconvenience to guests,” Ms Calabretta said. “Combined with the new pool deck, these improvements are already proving to be a success. The new pool deck looks great and, not only will it be an excellent and attractive facility for our guests to use, we have received a number of enquiries from organisations who want to hire the area for an evening cocktail function by the pool.”

Read on at Metro Hotels Press Releases:

Extensive Refurbishment Underway for Metro Hotel Sydney Central - Metro Hotels