Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

61-101 Phillip Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: 02 9228 9166
Email: sofitelsydneysales@sofitel.com

An intimate board meeting, conference or a gala dinner Sydney's time honoured five star hotel in the heart of Sydney city has a solid reputation for being a welcoming and memorable luxury conference venue. Through a recent enhancement program of $10 million, this Sydney icon ensures that the most modern conference and audio visual facilities are offered whilst retaining the charm and character for which The Wentworth has long been renowned.

Hot Special: Book your next residential conference for 50+ rooms with Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in the month of April for a 10% discount of your Day Delegate package and complimentary breakfast in Garden Court Restaurant. Plus all inquiries will receive a special upgrade voucher for the new Wentworth Cheese Buffet where you receive a complimentary wine flight, valued at $69 per person.

Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park

Olympic Boulevard
Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127

Phone: 02 8762 1700
Email: h2732-sb02@accor.com

At Pullman, meetings are not only times to share information, but also special opportunities to meet, talk and bond in upscale accommodation, contemporary in style, and unmatched attentive service. Offering ultra-modern meeting rooms and a private boardroom that are designed around quality and innovation. Our international diverse cuisine is tailored to the tastes of our business clientele. Ideal for conferences for up to 220 delegates, social events and team-building at Sydney's biggest park, Sydney Olympic Park.

Hot Special: Hold your event this Autumn and take the ride of your life in the latest Audi car for up to three hours as part of our fantastic Audi Escape Package* reward. Simply confirm your conference at Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park and receive an overnight accommodation in a Pullman Suite, bottle of champagne on arrival, a gourmet picnic hamper for two, late check-out of 1pm and a three hour use of our latest Audi vehicle.*

* This offer is valid for new conferences booked and held from 1 March to 30 May 2010. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other offer and is subject to availability. Audi Escape Package has a valid expiry date of six months from the time of the confirmed event.

Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach

Corner Grand Parade & Princess Street
Brighton-le-Sands NSW 2216

Phone: 02 9556 5127
Email: h1656-sb3@accor.com

Looking for an exceptional conference venue in Sydney that is happy to design a package to suit your budget? Look no further than our professional and dedicated team who are here to ensure you are well taken care of.

Hot Special: Take advantage of our wonderful pamper bonus offer of a 1 hour Radiance Facial at Revive Day Spa for the meeting organiser.*

* Valid for new residential conferences booked prior to the 1st March 2010.

Novotel Canberra

65 Northbourne Avenue
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6245 5000
Email: h2796-sb01@accor.com

This newly-refurbished hotel enjoys a convenient city location and features seven conference rooms, along with private or poolside pre-or post-function areas for a distinctive event.

Hot Special: Receive a $150 One Bar voucher or $150 off your meeting room hire.*

* This offer is valid 22 March to 30 September 2010. Minimum 25 persons booked on Day Delegates Package of $65 per person per day. Offer must be used during dates of conference or event.

Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific

55 North Steyne
Manly NSW 2095

Phone: 02 8966 7171
Email: h5462-sb05@accor.com

This ocean-front hotel with pacific views offers a contemporary dedicated conference floor including nine meeting rooms for up to 600 delegates and 213 accommodation rooms. Three on-site funky bars and plenty of team building opportunities ensure a complete conference program.

Hot Special: Book your winter conference by 31 March 2010, and get 10% discount off the Day Delegate Package and 10% discount against your accommodation rate if you book over 30 rooms per night.*

* Valid for events held 1 June 2010 to 31 August 2010 (new bookings only). This offer is not available in conjunction with any other offer and is subject to availability.

Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

2-14 Cliff Road
North Wollongong NSW 2500

Phone: 02 4224 3137
Email: h1654-sb4@accor.com

Located just over an hour from Sydney, Novotel Wollongong Northbeach is the perfect beachside conference venue.

Hot Special: Let Novotel Wollongong take the travel headache away. Book a conference for a minimum 100 room nights, and receive a complimentary return coach transfer between Sydney Airport/CBD to Novotel Wollongong.*

* This offer valid for conference bookings made between March 2010 and July 2010. This offer does not apply to conferences already booked at the hotel. Available to all residential conferences with a minimum of 20 room nights. Subject to availability of accommodation and conference rooms.

Novotel Coffs Harbour Pacific Bay Resort

Corner Pacific Highway & Bay Drive
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

Phone: 02 6659 7000
Email: meet@pacificbayresort.com.au

One of the largest, most versatile residential conference venues in regional Australia, the Novotel is located beachfront in 40 hectares of gardens and offers nine meeting rooms, plus a permanent outdoor marquee for gala events. Direct flights are available from Sydney and Brisbane.

Hot Special: Book a conference now and receive a 1 hour complimentary cocktail party, including our chef's selection of hot and cold canapés, standard beers, wines and soft drink.*

* This offer valid for conference bookings made between March 2010 and July 2010. This offer does not apply to conferences already booked at the hotel. Available to all residential conferences with a minimum of 20 room nights. Subject to availability of accommodation and conference rooms.

Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour

17 Little Pier Street
Darling Harbour NSW 2000

Phone: 02 8217 4000
Email: events-sydney@rockfordhotels.com.au

The Novotel Rockford offers great facilities in a great location, featuring flexible conference rooms complete with state-of-the-art audio visual, pre-function areas and natural lighting.

Hot Special: Book your meeting with us between January - March 2010 and receive a $200 complimentary gift certificate for The Pumphouse Bar and Restaurant.*

* Valid for newly booked events held between January - March 2010, based on a minimum of 30 pax on DD package.

Novotel Sydney Olympic Park

Olympic Boulevard
Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127

Phone: 02 8762 1111
Email: h2732-sb02@accor.com

Customers instinctively feel at home with the warm and professional welcome they receive at Novotel Sydney Olympic Park with newly refurbished lobby and brand new restaurant. Overlooking world class facilities and parklands, delegates can take advantage of outdoor terraces and natural lighting in our conference rooms for up to 600 delegates. The creativity and flexibility of our event management team, motivated service staff and comprehensive capabilities of our in-house audio visual specialists ensure every details of your event is perfected.

Hot Special: Book your next event at Novotel Sydney Olympic Park and receive a dinner voucher valued at $200* at Novotel's brand new restaurant, Boulevard Brasserie & Bar. A French brasserie inspired theming is extended across the innovative menu with contemporary selections carefully prepared for you.*

* This offer is valid for new conferences booked and held from 1 March to 30 May 2010. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other offer and is subject to availability. $200 dining voucher has a valid expiry date of six months from the time of the confirmed event.

Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour

100 Murray Street
Pymont NSW 2000

Phone: 02 9934 0000
Email: h1181-sl@accor.com

Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour offers high-quality meeting spaces for all function types – from an intimate board meeting to a residential event of up to 150 delegates.

Hot Special: In conjunction with 'The 80s are Back' exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum, Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour is offering conference delegates a trip back to the 80s with their conference day package. From $89 per person the day package will include arrival tea and coffee, morning and afternoon tea, an 80's themed lunch, a ticket for each delegate to the Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum, and a post meeting 80s cocktail for each delegate. We'll also arrange an overhead projector, screen, whiteboard and flipchart, to assist in bringing back those 80s memories.*

* This package will be available to any day meetings or events from January 2010 until 30th June 2010.

The Menzies Sydney

14 Carrington Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: 02 9299 1000
Email: stay@menzies.com.au

The Menzies Sydney offers its conference clients an unparalleled standard of personal service in time-honoured tradition. This 4 star hotel overlooks Wynyard Park and is conveniently located in the heart of Sydney City near famous attractions and the financial district, boasting 14 stylish meeting rooms accommodating up to 450 guests.

Hot Special: Book your next event at The Menzies Sydney before 20 April 2010 and receive a special discounted Day Delegate package of $72, plus receive your choice of either complimentary 30 minute post conference drinks; an overnight accommodation voucher at your choice of selected Accor NSW hotels or complimentary internet access for the plenary room session*

* Valid for newly booked events held between March to July 2010. Events must be confirmed by 20 April 2010, minimum of 10 people. Internet access is for a maximum of 5 delegates.

Mercure Sydney

818-820 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: 02 9217 6670
Email: h2073-sb03@accor.com

Mercure Sydney's superb facilities and central city location make it the ideal choice for your next meeting, function or conference.

Hot Special: 2010 is all about you! Receive complimentary internet, parking and full buffet breakfast with your next residential events held at Mercure Sydney between 1 April – 31 July 2010.*

* This offer is valid for new bookings only and is not to be used in conjunction with any other hotel discounts / offers. Minimum of 50 room nights overall attached to the event. Residential events must be booked before 30 April 2010 and held between 1 April - 31 July 2010. Residential rates starting from $165 per person is based on a limited allocation of rooms and is subject to availability. 1 car parking space per guest only.

Mercure Sydney Airport

20 Levey Street
Wolli Creek NSW 2205

Phone: 02 9518 2000
Email: H5603-sm5@accor.com

Mercure Sydney Airport offers 11 great conference rooms, many with natural light, plus state-of-the-art equipment and WiFi hot spots. The hotel caters for groups of up to 400 guests.

Hot Special: Let our experienced staff tailor a special package to suit your budget, including "fresh and healthy indulgences".*

* Valid for new residential conferences booked prior to the 1 March 2010.

Swiss-Grand Resort & Spa, Bondi Beach

Cnr Campbell Parade & Beach Road
Bondi Beach NSW 2026

Phone: 02 9365 9750
Email: sales@swissgrand.com.au

Bondi's only conference hotel, the Swiss-Grand features 13 indoor and outdoor meeting venues overlooking Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach.

Hot Special: Get in early for winter. Book your residential winter conference by 26 March 2010 and you will receive 10% discount off the Day Delegate Package. Additionally, you will receive a 10% discount off the accommodation room rate if you book 30 rooms or more per night.*

* Valid for events held 1 June 2010 to 30 September 2010 (new bookings only). This offer is not available in conjunction with any other offer and is subject to availability.

Be prepared

Don't launch into the planning before you've done the preparation. One of the most frequent mistakes made by new event and conference planners is to launch into the 'planning' before they've done the 'preparation' leaving themselves vulnerable to budget blowouts, double-booking, lost tasks and mixed messages.

Are your conference or event ideas practical?

Be thoroughly and strategically prepared. The problem is that if you are not thoroughly and strategically prepared, as your event develops and evolves, you are likely to find you have already locked in dates, places, venues and people that later become inappropriate or impractical.

Event and conference timeline

Work backwards from your proposed event date. Creating a timeline will force you to work backwards from your proposed event date and build in all the necessary lead-times for each activity. Knowing that it will take printers three weeks to deliver your invitations will dictate how early you need to confirm the design, and how much time you are able to give your guests to RSVP.

Flexible event budgets

Develop an accurate budget. Allowing flexibility for unexpected expenses will enable you to prioritise how and where you will spend your money. Knowing just how much the venue and catering cost will govern your decision on the type of entertainment to engage.

Activity plan

Draw up an event activity plan complete with a 'to do' checklist and deadlines. Your plan should cover every large and small activity that needs to happen in planning your event. If you have already prepared an event or conference timeline, you may be able to use this (or tweak it slightly) as an activity plan.

Ask questions when planning your events

Help make the right decisions by asking lots of questions. As you're planning your event and booking venues, hiring caterers and sourcing entertainers, you should be asking yourself a series of questions that will help you make the right decisions. Consider:

• How will you pay for the event? Do you need funding? Can you seek sponsorship?
• Do you need permits for your event? Contact your local council for advice on this.
• Do you need permission or licences to use audio-visual materials?
• Do you need to post advertising material - such as posters and banners - in public areas?
• Does your venue need to be accessible to older people with disability? Do you need a sign language or other language interpreter?