SEA WORLD on Australia’s Gold Coast is gearing up for the launch of its new Plaza venue this August, just over a year on from the opening its Conference Centre.

Located in the heart of the theme park, adjacent to a number of rides and animals exhibits, the Plaza will be an al fresco venue with shelter, good for 800 delegates.

Speaking to TTGmice e-Weekly, Village Roadshow Theme Parks’ sales manager – conferences and events, Caroline Duveau-Clayton, said the Plaza had been designed to attract larger events looking for a unique venue.

“The Sea World Plaza venue can be themed to any formal or casual occasion, which will leave delegates with a lasting impression,” she said.

Duveau-Clayton also added that the Conference Centre, which celebrates its first birthday this month, has exceeded expectations and continues to grow.

“Being able to do business on a much larger scale has had a positive impact in all areas of our business including special events at our sister properties.”

The Panorama105 screen

NEW projection equipment and technology were unveiled at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre last week, the result of the centre’s partnership with Active Visual and Digimagic Communications.

The Panorama105, one of the two products that form the new ImmersiveAV Suite, is a wide-format projection screen spanning up to 105m by 5m and powered by high-end 20,000 lumen projectors.

Completing the suite, The Float3D uses holographic projection technology to present still images with a depth of field. Suspended at 4.5m above ground, the display could become the illuminated centrepiece in an event.

“Conferences and events have to be more like an experience than a lecture. It has to be immersive, emotional and informative. The new products have been designed to deliver the ultimate event experience at an affordable price,” said Donald Lim, managing director of Digimagic Communications.

Arun Madhok, CEO of Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, added: “The ImmersiveAV Suite also helps organisers meet their sustainability requirements by providing an alternative to the use of physical backdrops and branding structures that are costly to build and often for one-time use.”

From now till September 30, 2016, The Panorama105 packages are priced from S$33,000⁺(US$24,340⁺) and come with customised backdrops, panoramic scenes with accompanying motion graphics effects and choice of Powerpoint templates for presentations. Use of The Float 3D is priced from S$9,500+.

Tokyo Big Sight

DUE TO a shortage of large venues in Tokyo, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to make 11 public parks, and other venues across the city, available to event planners.

Three outdoor areas in the city – Kasai Rinkai Park, Yumenoshima Park and Shiokaze Park – are now available as venues for open-air concerts and other events. Another five parks across Tokyo’s 23 wards are similarly being promoted as alternative venues. These venues are suitable for music, dance and kabuki performances, or theatrical productions.

The shortage is due to the 2020 Summer Olympics, where some venues have been demolished to be replaced by new facilities, while others have been closed for renovation works.

“There are not enough theatres, halls or other venues in Tokyo due to the closures and renovation works, so we are trying to assist event organisers by drawing up this list of new locations,” said Yoji Murata, deputy director of Tokyo’s Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs.

Authorities are also permitting temporary halls, with seating up to 3,000 pax, to be set up in Kiba Park and Koganei Park. Meanwhile, the new East Exhibition Hall at Tokyo Big Sight – scheduled to be completed this November – will also be available as a theatrical and concert venue.

Tram plying Gold Coast’s G:Link network

SOUTH East Queensland is trialling Australia’s first public transport travel card tailored to the MICE market.

The go access Corporate Events card, an initiative of Translink in Queensland’s Department of Transport, costs A$12 (US$8.95) for three days of unlimited travel on buses, trains and ferries throughout the South East, as well as on the Gold Coast’s G:Link tram network.

Speaking to TTGmice at the This is Gold Coast Business Exchange last week, Translink’s senior advisor new business and product development, George Chemali, said: “What we found from surveys over 18 months was that (the card) was something the industry was crying out for.”

Chemali added: “It means that a delegate can get on at any mode of transport and travel anywhere in South East Queensland and not have to worry about a deposit, topping up or understanding zones.

“We’ve had (representatives) from other states (in Australia) say they wish their transport authority would take a leaf out of our book.”

Shannon Thwaites, manager, Gold Coast Business Events, said the card provided a seamless public transport mode for delegates with significant savings.

“The card has also enabled delegates to choose from a wider selection of accommodation venues, with so many conveniently located in close proximity to the light rail corridor,” she said.

The go access Corporate Events can only be purchased for events with 50 delegates or more.

US TICKETING firm Eventbrite has appointed its first general manager for Australia, Phil Silverstone.

Silverstone will be responsible for leading and expanding Eventbrite’s Australian operations and for driving the company’s local strategy as it pushes for a bigger slice of Australia’s A$270 million (US$201 million) ticketing industry.

He most recently spent 16 years in financial services with GE Capital.

His appointment comes as the local arm of the company enters into a new phase of growth and capitalises on strong traction the company has seen since launching its Asia-Pacific office in Melbourne in March 2014.