Another Happy Client for Conference Online
"Dear Conference Online Team,
Alex Miguel here from Prosperity Advisers in Newcastle (event C7715).
Prosperity Advisers is a financial planning and business advisory firm with offices in Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane. In 2007, we were selected as the host firm for the International Association of Practising Accountants (IAPA) Annual Conference, a week long event held in Sydney. This event has previously been held in Milan, Cape Town and Singapore.
As this is an international association with members worldwide, we required a registration and conference management system that was accessible by all delegates and prospects, is clear and easy to use due to language barriers, and able to be branded to continue the marketing look of the conference. Conference Online shone in all these areas as well as being wonderful business partners to our firm during the 12 months our event was being planned . Val's coaching and assistance allowed us to manage the event in-house without having to pay expensive conference organisers and the reporting repertoire we were able to access saved hundreds of hours and dollars in retyping and rework.
Having several events running concurrently, over 10 different venues and five days, this conference required the planning and logistics of a military strike. The information gathered from delegates via the online registration system allowed the event to be classed as the " best IAPA conference ever and set the benchmark for all future events"
Before choosing Conference Online, we researched several other online registration systems and found the Pay Per Registrant idea to be in-genius and such a small price to pay for the "Panadol" Conference Online provided to what could have been a conference migraine! I have no hesitation in recommending Conference Online for assistance in planning your next event - what ever the size.
Thanks for allowing our event to be such a success!
Warm regards
Alex Miguel "
Sweeter Side of Serious Business Accommodation World
WRITTEN BY MARIANNE EDMONDS - CONFERENCE ONLINE QUEENSLAND
As the US market drops, Australia waits in anticipation to see what will happen to the ASX. Usually following a steep fall in the market, the event side of corporate marketing is the first thing to be dropped from marketing budgets. So this year, Conference Online Queensland decided to firstly catch the eye of the beholder and then reiterate to customers the importance of meeting and conferencing in the current climate.
Especially now. It was important to stand out above the rest. Serious business meetings still need to take place, but what we wanted to do was reiterate to clients and potential clients that it is vital, so very critical at this point to engage with customers and interact directly and smile along the way…..business is about people – selling, launching, motivating, rewarding…all about people. We took the opportunity to deliver a stand for ECQ at the beginning of April that amplified our marketing strategy – enjoy life while conducting serious business. Make an impact. Make a talking point and then follow through with serious content. So that is what we head out to do.
Covering the stand in metres of white fluff and hanging over 100 lollipops, we adopted the Charlie Chocolate Factory style approach – frivolity and putting a smile on peoples’ faces. You see we think we are “event a licious”. We used a roving performer who adorned a white fluffy trench coat which was internally strapped with mini lollipops that were branded with our stand number to drive customers throughout the hall back to our stand. Something like Charlie’s “golden ticket”.
Once on the stand, delegates had the opportunity to guess the number of smarties in our 6kg jar, using the online registration form to fill in their guess. Would you believe….3872! One of the Telstra event team was the lucky winner and we think she will be consuming smarties for years to come…..
While we had a blast and created a talking point, it was more to say that we understand the serious side of business and how to get there….have a little fun on the way. Let us help you with a little creativity and put the sass back into your next event or conference. For more information call Aaron (more commonly referred to as Az) or Marianne on (07) 3844 8910 or email us at info@qld.conferenceonline.com.au
Conference Online Head Office and Conference Online Queensland bond at the Sofitel Gold Coast
 In mid-April, the team from Conference Online Queensland and Conference Online Head Office were invited to attend an evening at the Sofitel Gold Coast. It was the perfect opportunity to experience the Sofitel and acquaint ourselves with the accommodation and conferencing facilities as well as giving us the chance to bond together as a team. Hosted by the delightfully entertaining David Lowe, Senior Sales Manager for Sofitel Gold Coast - NSW and Victoria, we had the pleasure of David’s company for the duration of the evening. Upon arrival to the hotel, we received a personal welcome by David and members of the Sofitel Gold Coast team. This was to be the very beginning of a night filled with entertainment and first-class service.
The night began with French champagne and cocktails served in the Room 81 Bar with members of the Sofitel team. In a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere we enjoyed the charm of our host and the ambience that surrounded the Room 81 Bar. The bar and lounge area was full to capacity with guests who were enjoying the lounge style booths and relaxation areas amidst the vibrancy of the changing coloured lighting and live entertainment. Following drinks and meeting many other members of staff, the Conference Online team were taken on a private tour of the entire hotel, including inspections of a variety of accommodation suites and conference rooms. The suites were full of natural light and were furnished in earthy tones, and of course, the world famous luxury ‘My Bed’. Sweeping views of the Gold Coast’s beautiful beaches and hinterland and coupled with the unique aromas created by the Sofitel essences, greatly impacted upon the impression of the hotel.
It was then time to move on and explore the different range of event and conference facilities available in the hotel. We were given demonstrations on the state of the art audio visual technology and the many features of each room. On the third floor of the hotel we were welcomed into the Grand Ballroom, a magnificent room with full length windows looking out to the city and sophisticated furnishings, set out for a private dinner especially arranged for the COL team. The meticulous decorations and attention to detail transcended from the background music, to the projector screen display and our logo printed on the menu. With a free flow of wine served by the food and beverage team, the professional service was unsurpassed. The Sofitel’s very own award winning chef, Mr Daniel Ridgeway, prepared a menu of mouth-watering appetizers, scrumptious mains and delectable desserts of which he personally presented to the team. We had the pleasure of speaking to Daniel about the range of catering options available for conferences and events and he described the meals which were prepared for our special evening.
At the conclusion of dinner our host invited the team to participate in a fun game that would end up having us all in hysterical laughter. David produced a sheet of paper for everyone in the team and invited each person to complete the sentence at the top of the page with the first thing that came to mind. We were then asked to fold the paper over so it could not be seen and pass it onto the person sitting next to us. Each sentence would then be completed by a new person and at the end a full story would unfold. This was an unforgettable moment for the evening and was followed by equally unforgettable and entertaining moments as Brian, Global Events and Marketing Manager for Conference Online & David, took to the stage and delivered a range of duets and theatrical performances that were enjoyed by all. Marianne from COL QLD also joined in on the entertainment as a back-up dancer to David, performing sultry moves and sensational imitations.
To wind down after a delightful evening, we joined David for coffee and sweets in the comfort of the lounge area and conversed about our impression of the hotel. The evening at the Sofitel was truly memorable and can be credited to the high level of professionalism, attention to detail and friendliness of staff. The Sofitel Broadbeach has proven to be a venue that can offer the complete package for conferences and events.
Sea World Launches Whale Watching Experience
 Launching in June 2008 at the start of the Gold Coast whale migration season, Sea World will offer the ultimate whale watching experience and will provide guests with an unprecedented level of education along with the awe-inspiring natural experience of getting up close and personal with the world's largest marine mammals.
The custom designed luxury cruiser will comfortably carry in excess of 100 passengers and operate twice daily (weather permitting) from Sea World from June to November during the annual Humpback Whale migration past the Gold Coast.
Committed to the conservation of our environment, the vessel is one of a kind and has been specially designed for environmentally friendly whale watching. The custom keel design protects whales from harm and the engines exceed international emission standards and produce minimal underwater noise. The on-board toilet and grey water waste is never allowed to pollute the ocean. We are entering the world of the whales and so wish to make as little impact upon their world as possible.
Sea World Whale Watch is committed to providing a world class whale watching experience while carefully managing an important natural resource and the ocean environment that supports it.
Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase their Whale Watching ticket as part of a combo deal which will include entry into Sea World.
Take a Whale Watch Tour and visit Sea World over 2 days and pay just
$139 Adults, $89 Children and $99 Pensioners*.
To book visit www.myfun.com.au or call 133FUN
*Photo - Daniel De Vries - Director of Blue Shadow Group & Brian Hodge - Global Events & Marketing Manager of Conference Online
Conference Online shoots new TV Email Advertising Campaign
Conference Online has just completed a new TV Email advertising campaign with business partners VMBIZ.com. Shooting on location at Conference Online Head Office on the Gold Coast. Global Events & Marketing Manager, Brian Hodge, will become the face of the Conference Online Registration System around the world. The TV campaign has hit the Conference Online web page and will be used for e-marketing. View it above in this newsletter or visit or home page www.conferenceonline.com.au and check out the behind the scenes photo’s below!
Remember how TV, computers and email changed your life, now there is a new proven product that will change the way you get more business for less, TV-EMAIL ADVERTISING!
This is the latest technology all smart business owners are using to promote their products or services. It is literally a TV production of your company, products or services presenting the benefits why customers should be doing business with you. Delivered with the ease of an email.
Contact Conference Online for further details on VMBIZ TV Email Advertising - email: info@conferencenline.com.au
OR
Ken & Eric at VMBIZ.COM - email: info@vmbiz.com
 New Addition to the Events and Help Desk Team at Conference Online Head Office
Sophie Esho has worked in the hospitality, retail and events industries over the past several years. She has recently completed a Bachelor of Business in Convention and Event Tourism Management at Southern Cross University as well as a Certificate III Music Industry (Technical Production) at the School of Audio Engineering (SAE) in Brisbane. Sophie’s events experience comes from working as an Events Assistant at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre where she was involved with the operational aspects of hosting a variety of events ranging from awards nights to concerts.
 New Addition to Development Team at Conference Online Head Office
Narda has worked in web and multimedia development since 1996, freelancing at various high profile companies in Sydney such as Adobe, Macquarie Bank, ShowAds Interactive, Brand Dialogue (formerly the digital wing of Young & Rubicam), Coca Cola Amatil and Armstrong, Miller and McLaren. In 2000 she returned to Queensland and began specialising in database driven web sites, systems analysis and usability design, working at several creative agencies and the eMarketing department of Tourism Queensland.
 New Conference Online Distributor for Singapore
Conference Online has appointed Julie Shepherd as the new Distributor for Conference Online Singapore. Julie has over thirty years experience in the nursing profession - as a clinical nurse; university nursing lecturer (University of Canberra and Nanyang Polytechnic Singapore); and nursing advisor with a regulatory authority (the Queensland Nursing Council) prior to taking up the position as the Managing Director of Bower Bird Information Services, Nursing Asia Singapore and Conference Online Singapore. Julie is the convener and conference organiser of the “Nursing Leadership” and “Recruitment and Retention in the Health Workforce” conferences and trade exhibitions; a member of the board of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA), a committee member of the Hunter Valley Chapter Committee of the RCNA and Editor, National Nursing Leadership Network, RCNA.
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