Leisure Morning
Tours Available

Choose your own adventure!
Tours can be organised for delegates prior to the welcome cocktail party at prices exclusive to IACC visitors.

• Hunter Valley Wineries tour
• Tour of the Blue Mountain
• Sydney Harbour Bridge climb
• Coogee to Bondi beachside cliff walk

5.30pm – 6.30pm

Hotel Foyer

Welcome Cocktail Party

Join as at MGSM Macquarie Park Executive Conference Centre to open the IACC Australia Asia Pacific Chapter Conference. Mix and mingle with fellow delegates from across Australia and the region while enjoying the highest quality food, wine and cocktails prepared by our talented team.

Dress – Cocktail

6.30pm – 7.00pm

Macquarie Room

Copper Skillet Competition

 

IACC recognises the vital role that food service plays in conference centre operations. As a result, IACC stages an Annual Copper Skillet Global Chef of the Year Competition.

This competition is designed to highlight the artistry and skills of IACC-member conference centre chefs from around the world and to honour their contributions to our shared goal of providing an outstanding conference experience.

7.00pm – 9.30pm

Macquarie Room

Continuation of Welcome Cocktail Party

AAP President
Global President

Continuation of welcome reception including a Formal Welcome by the AAP President & Global President who will also announce the Copper Skillet Competition winner.

Overnight Accommodation MGSM

Accommodation included in Conference Package

 

The Executive Accommodation & Restaurant is nestled amongst the picturesque grounds of Macquarie University, with views from the room’s balconies overlooking the University Lake and surrounding bushland.

Located just a short drive to Sydney’s CBD, Sydney Olympic Park, Chatswood, Parramatta and the Northern Beaches of Sydney, MGSM’s Executive Hotel provides all of the features of an award-winning, 4-star executive style property. Amenities include large work desks, comfortable bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, in-room dining, mini-bar, LCD-TV (with Foxtel) and 24-hour business service centre support.

6.30pm – 8.00am

Macquarie Room

Breakfast

 

Breakfast prepared by our Executive Chef and team in Macquarie Room with a special chef’s egg station. Breakfast options to change daily and focused on amazing produce from within the Sydney region.

8.30am – 10.30am

Ice Breaker session

We know that lurking within every person is a creative volcano, just waiting to erupt. Bechallenged facilitates fun and innovative ice breaking and team building challenges allowing delegates to get to know each other while learning valuable tips and tricks to take back to their own teams.

Session 1

11.00am – 12.30pm

MGSM Room 206

Innovations and trends in the global conference centre environment

International panel of conference centre owners, operators and designers as they discuss the trends and innovation they have introduced.

• Is the residential conference a thing of the past?
• Has conferencing evolved, if so how?
• Are trade shows a thing of the past?
• The impact of commercial buildings with meeting rooms/floors for tennants

Off Site Transfer
12.30pm – 1.30pm

Tour
1.30pm – 2.30pm

Transfer participants to Kirribilli Park

Walk to the Coombs Centre for tour of centre

http://www.hccoombscentre.gov.au/

John Beith

Let’s explore beautiful Sydney with a picnic lunch under the Harbor Bridge looking out over Sydney Harbour with views of the Opera House and CBD.

Delegates will then be treated to a tour of the IACC property H.C Coombs Centre -With spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, the Coombs Centre’s is the perfect location to for small to mid-size conferences with superb on site accommodation and dining options.

2.30pm – 3.30pm

Sydney Harbour Bridge to MGSM CBD

Walk from Coombs Centre across the main deck of the Harbour Bridge to MGSM CBD

 

Experience The Sydney Harbour Bridge by foot!
You’ll want to make sure you remember your camera as there is always some good photo opportunities, obviously the Opera House will be a favourite but when you’re in the middle of the bridge you have a great clear view down the main harbour.

Both side of the bridge are great for photographs with Kirribilli (Aboriginal word meaning ‘good fishing spot’) and the historical Rocks area.

Session 2

3.30pm – 5.30pm
MGSM CBD

Customer Roundtable

Jim Conway as facilitator

Invited customers

A roundtable discussion with customers of conference centres and customers of hotels to understand why they book/don’t book our venues and what it is they look for;

• Web driving different expectations
• Today’s generation want epic communications & experiences
• Is the regional conference booming or declining? Why?

Cocktails
5.30pm – 6.30pm

MGSM CBD

Cocktails and Dinner – MGSM CBD

Cocktails and substantial hors-d’oeuvre between 6pm and 7pm.

Sydney Festival
7.00pm – 10pm

Sydney CBD

Every January, Sydney Festival enlivens and transforms Sydney with a bold cultural celebration based on the highest quality art and big ideas.

The program is kaleidoscopic in its diversity, from burlesque circus to Chicago rap to Dutch theatre; from contemporary dance to family programs to traditional Indigenous arts practice. In all, the program comprises around 370 performances and around 100 events performed by over 700 artists in more than 30 venues each year.

Delegates will be able to explore the city and head back to MGSM as they wish or one of Sydney’s many night time hot spots.

Overnight Accommodation
MGSM

Accommodation included in Conference Package

 

All participants accommodated at MGSM Macquarie Park.

7.00am – 8.30am

Macquarie Room

Breakfast

 

Breakfast prepared by our Executive Chef and team in Macquarie Room with a special chef’s egg station. Breakfast options to change daily and focused on amazing produce from within the Sydney region.

Session 3
8.30am – 10.30pm

MGSM Room 206

Disruptive Technology and the impact on Conference Centres

Simon Abela – Managing Director CS Technology

Greg Robinson –Associate Director, IT Infrastructure & Application

A session where we look at the disruptive technologies which are having an impact on hotels and conference centres and how we may react to those changes.

• How to manage bad negative online reviews?
• Is there a future for booking conference rooms online?
• The impact of Uber and AirBnB
• What key technologies are important to our industry now or in the next 5 years?
• Should Conference Centres have a defined strategy before running off and investing in new technologies?

10.30am – 11.00am

Morning Tea by the Lake

 

For a change of scenery let’s take a break by the beautiful lake adjacent to the MGSM Conference Centre.

Session 4
11.00am – 12.30pm

MGSM Room 206

Social Media

Amanda Rose
http://www.amandarose.com.au
See Amanda in Action on Youtube!

Amanda Rose is the only ‘Strategic Connector’ in Australia, connecting CEOs, directors and businesses together to enhance brand, profile and lead generation opportunities.

As a recognised ‘Power Profiler’ Amanda will explore the pros and cons of social media within the MICE industry and how best conference centres in particular can be more effective with their social media and overall marketing strategy.

We will look at both sides of the social media discussion and its relevance in the corporate market.

• We all think it is essential but is it?
• We know the conference and hotel sector are active in the space but are the clients we hope to attract equally as active?
• Does customer service belong on social media or not?
• How are we using social media to our advantage, or not?

Lunch
12.30pm – 1.30pm

MGSM Macquarie Room

 

Lunch will include a range of buffet style options with a focus on “brain-food” optimizing energy for learning as well as Sydney’s beautiful regional produce.

1.30pm – 5.30pm

Free afternoon

Range of activity recommendations provided

 

Sydney in January is a vibrant and exciting place to explore. We will facilitate a range of opportunities to experience all Sydney has to offer including;

• Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
• Luna Park
• Surfing Lesson Bondi Beach
• Taronga Zoo
• Dinner and a Show – Sydney CBD

Delegates will be able to choose their own adventure at prices exclusive to IACC visitors.

6.00pm – 8.30pm

Dinner MGSM

Macquarie Room
MGSM North Ryde

 

Dinner will be provided in Lachlan’s Restaurant at MGSM for those wishing to return for dinner.

8.30 – 10pm

Late Night Drinks

Lounge Bar MGSM

 

Late night drinks available in the newly renovated Lounge Bar at MGSM. Catch up with your fellow delegates on the days adventures.

Overnight Accommodation MGSM

Accommodation included in Conference Package

 

All participants accommodated at MGSM

YOGA
6.30am – 7.30am

MGSM lake

Yoga by the Lake with Macquarie Uni instructor

 

Stretch it out with early morning Yoga by the lake – You will experience benefits such as improved physical, emotional and mental health, more focused and clear thinking.

8.00am – 9.00am

Macquarie Room

Breakfast

 

Breakfast prepared by our Executive Chef and team in Macquarie Room with a special chef’s egg station. Breakfast options to change daily and focused on amazing produce from within the Sydney region.

9.00am – 10.00pm

Off Site Transfer

Transfer participants to Karstens

It’s time to pack up and check out of MGSM for your transfer to the CBD.

Session 5
10.00am – 12.00pm

Karstens

Building High Performance Teams

Richard from Leadership Management will conduct workshop on how to optimize teams and create high performing teams

Effective and successful teams always:

• Establish clearly defined team goals.
• Develop a Plan of Action.
• Identify roles and responsibilities.
• Measure and monitor progress.
• Ensure all team members are engaged and committed.
• Work together with commitment and determination.

12.00pm – 1.00pm

 

 

Session 6
1.00pm – 3.00pm

Karstens

Positioning your team for success

Justin Tamsett

http://justintamsett.com/

Developing the successful human side of selling / Positioning your team for success. Everyone in the process of buying and selling has subtle difference in both their needs and the way they go about communicating them. Understand the human side of selling where you analyze the buyer’s motivations and adopt the appropriate strategy to sell to them. Anyone who is trying to sell something needs to know and understand the buying side of the equation as well.

3.00pm – 5.00pm

Transfer to hotels

Check in to Hotels in CBD
Free time

 

It’s time to transfer to you CBD hotels for the final night in Sydney. You will have time to settle in and for those looking to spend more time socializing there will be group drinks overlooking beautiful Sydney Harbour at the bar beneath the Opera House.

6.30pm – 8.30pm

CBD Restaurant

Conference Dinner

 

Location to be confirmed. Participants can party on in the CBD – MGSM staff to provide recommendations.

Overnight Accommodation CBD –
Travelodge/Tank Stream

Accommodation included in Conference Package

 

Accommodation & meal package at The Tank Stream Hotel And Travelodge Hotel

6.30am – 9.00am

Breakfast

 

Airport transfers for interstate and international guests.