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.

MONORAIL TO CEASE OPERATIONS JUNE 2013

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian announced today Sydney’s monorail will cease operations next year, clearing the way for the removal of the infrastructure to accommodate the new convention centre at Darling Harbour.

Earlier this year the NSW Government announced it had bought Metro Transport Sydney (MTS), the company that owns Sydney’s light rail and the monorail.

The $19.8 million purchase will enable the efficient delivery of Sydney’s future light rail extensions, and will now mean the monorail infrastructure will be removed before the construction of the Darling Harbour revamp including a new convention centre.

“The monorail will cease operations on Sunday, June 30, 2013 and will be removed after that date,” Ms Berejiklian said. “The monorail has never been truly embraced by the community and is reaching the end of its economic life.”

The operation will continue in its current form until that date because of existing contractual arrangements with the operator.

“The NSW Government cannot justify costly upgrades like the purchase of new vehicles required to keep it running and the removal of the infrastructure will make way for the development of the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct.”

The existing monorail infrastructure and rolling stock will soon be taken to market, she said.

“Transport for NSW intends to issue an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the coming months to gauge interest from other parties regarding possible future uses of the monorail infrastructure and rolling stock,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The market will determine if the track and rolling stock will be demolished for scrap, or removed and re-used.”

Ms Berejiklian said the simplified contractual arrangements would make it easier for the Government to expand the light rail network in the future. The NSW Government is committed to expanding light rail and recently announced the contract awarded for design and construction of the Inner West Light Rail Extension.

John Holland will be responsible for the detailed design and construction of the main infrastructure elements of the light rail extension which form part of the $176 million Inner West Light Rail extension.

“The Light Rail Strategic Plan – examining the feasibility of extending the light rail network through Sydney’s CBD, to the University of Sydney and the University of NSW – will soon be completed, and the government looks forward to examining its findings.”

Elton John to celebrate the 40th anniversary at the Sydney Entertainment Centre

ELTON John will celebrate the 40th anniversary of his Rocket Man hit with another record-breaking concert at his Australian musical home, the Sydney Entertainment Centre. 
 
The 65-year-old's global celebration of this milestone will also include concerts at the Perth Arena and Canberra Stadium in November.

John's concert at the "Ent Cent'' on November 15 kicks off a star-studded week of gigs in Sydney, which include sold-out shows from Coldplay and George Michael.
 
It will mark John's 42nd performance at the venue, consolidating his record.

"It will be brilliant to be back in Sydney  at the SEC. I am very proud to hold the box office record for number of shows there, and feel very fortunate to have been able to perform in front of the people of Sydney for 41 years,'' John said yesterday.

John has another Sydney connection with the remix project Elton vs PNAU by local electronic duo Nick Littlemore and Peter Mayes likely to debut at No.1 in the UK this weekend.

It will be PNAU's first British No.1 and John's return to the top of the charts there after two decades.
"I also feel particularly close to this wonderful city at the moment because PNAU are from Sydney and they have just released a reinterpretation of some of my songs on an album called Good Morning To The Night, which I think is sheer genius.''