Metro Hotel Tower Mill, Brisbane: Silver Shiny Suit to Silver Service - Metro Hotels

Metro Hotel Tower Mill is located opposite one of Brisbane's most famous convict built landmarks, the old windmill known as the Tower Mill. Brisbane's windmill tower, built in 1828 under the direction of Commandant Logan, is older and more significant than any other windmill still standing in Australia.

Positioned in parklike surroundings the Metro Hotel Tower Mill is only 600 metres from Brisbane’s CBD, 500 metres from central station. Brisbane City Council operates a free loop bus service from outside the hotel.

“People like to get away from the concrete jungle and come to a quiet area, yet we are still close to all big city facilities,” said Allan Hilt, Metro Hotel Tower Mill property manager since February this year.

The Queen Street Mall, Treasury Casino & Hotel, South Bank Parklands, Art Gallery, the Museum and numerous restaurants, eateries and shopping facilities are all close by.

This unique cylindrically shaped hotel, overlooking Brisbane city, offers a licensed restaurant and bar with room-service and charge-back facilities.
Free car parking, subject to availability, is onsite and there is council parking nearby.

Metro Hotel Tower Mill, Brisbane: Silver Shiny Suit to Silver Service - Metro Hotels

Metro Hotel Tower Mill, Brisbane: Plenty to See and Do in Brisbane this Summer

Brisbane is set to come alive this Summer with plenty to see and do, including world-class entertainment and cultural events, international sporting events, Christmas festivities and loads of Christmas shopping opportunities.

Located in the heart of Brisbane close to all major attractions, Metro Hotel Tower Mill provides the perfect place to stay for visitors wishing to take advantage of Christmas shopping, to visit the Myer Christmas window display and other yuletide festivities, as well as enjoy the big events being held in Brisbane over Summer.

Plenty to See and Do in Brisbane this Summer

Summer in Brisbane - What's on

STUMPED ABOUT WHAT’S ON OFFER IN BRISBANE THIS SUMMER?

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS TO ENSURE YOU HAVE A BALL

Brisbane is gearing up for a great summer of sports, cultural events and activities.

From soccer to international and domestic cricket through to international tennis there is action aplenty in Brisbane.

1. On the pitch you can expect plenty of heart-pumping action at the 2011 premiership winning Brisbane Roar FC home games at Suncorp Stadium. The first game will be played in October and the season will run until March 2012.

2. The much anticipated International Cricket season will mark the first official day of summer from December 1, but it is the inaugural KFC T20 Big Bash League games you won’t want to miss. Local team, the Brisbane Heat play their first game at the Gabba on Tuesday, December 20.

3. In 2012, the Brisbane International (1 – 8 January) will return with tennis greats including Wimbledon quarterfinalist and Australia’s current number one men’s tennis player Bernard Tomic, and world number five and 2011 Wimbledon finalist Maria Sharapova confirmed to start play.

And the excitement isn’t just in the stadiums. Get your temperature soaring with an action packed calendar of cultural events.

4. Enjoy the old classics all over again when Rock of Ages opens at the Lyric Theatre from November 12.This rock comedy romance is an hilarious, feel-good love story told through all the big ballads of the eighties.

5. For your dose of culture head to the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) from December 3 to see Matisse: Drawing Life, an exclusive exhibition of more than 300 drawings, prints, paper cut-outs and artist books by Henri Matisse, one of the 20th century’s greatest artists. This exhibition will coincide with the fifth anniversary of GoMA, and will sit alongside other exhibitions including;

• A major solo exhibition from leading senior Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama
• An exhibition called Ten Years of Contemporary Art: The James C Sourris, AM Collection
• A series of large-scale fantasy worlds, created from intricate layers of fluorescent coloured sugar called we miss you magic land! by Perth-based artist duo Pip & Pop
• A new specially commissioned body of work by Dinosaur Designs.

6. Before the year is over, celebrate the festive season with Christmas in The City with decorations going up in November. Kids of all ages will love the time-honoured and new Christmas traditions planned around town. 7. Get in the festive spirit and participate in a diverse range of free family fun events from the Lighting of the Brisbane City Christmas Tree on December 2 and the Lord Mayor’s Carols in the City on December 10; to Santa visits, twilight markets, Christmas movies, festive fun workshops and street corner carolling.

7. Bring in the New Year at the time honoured Woodford Folk Festival (December 27 – January 1) and The Dreaming Festival. These two incredible arts and multi-cultural festivals will incorporate more than 2000 performers and 400 events with concerts, dances, workshops, forums, street theatre, writer’s panels, film festival, comedy sessions and much more including a spectacular fire event.

8. Get into the spirit of 2012 when Mary Poppins hits the stage. Based on the classic Walt Disney film MARY POPPINS, the world’s most magical musical, will open at QPAC on January 5, 2012.

9. Round off your summer celebrations with a trip to the annual World Theatre Festival, which hits the Brisbane Powerhouse during February 2012. Embracing the new, the risky and the independent, World Theatre Festival will thrive in pushing new technologies, new forms and participatory genres in theatre from around the world.

(Source: Brisbanemarketing.com.au)

Gaining Strategic Value through Brisbane-based Business Events

This month, the Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk addressed an audience of Brisbane business leaders to demonstrate the significant economic value and lasting legacies the business events industry brings to the local economy.

In the wake of the January floods, the Lord Mayor called upon Brisbane business leaders to support the city by helping to attract their own corporate and industry events to the city.

Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk said Brisbane’s status as a leading destination for business events is well earnt. Last year the industry delivered $188 million dollars in economic value from 1,280 business events.

The Lord Mayor encouraged businesses to support the ‘Meet Together’ programme which has been driven by the Convention Bureau, by bringing their organisation’s business events to Brisbane. In return, not only will they boost our local economy, they will also receive a host of tangible benefits, which can positively impact on their bottom line and provide a clear competitive advantage.

"There is hard evidence that innovation is a cornerstone to business success – and it’s at conferences held in our city that the best industry minds are brought together, from all geographical locations, to share knowledge and skills. These, in return improve productivity and personal performance, leading to innovative leaps in the production of products and provision of services," said Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk.

Other benefits the Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk highlighted to Brisbane business leaders were, by attracting talent and industry leaders to our city, they can raise the profile of their company’s local operations on the national and international stage, while contributing to the city’s economic development.

In agreement of these sentiments, a selection of Brisbane-based organisations described to the forum of business leaders how they had reaped tangible benefits from the ‘think tank’ effect of bringing their industry conferences events to Australia’s new world city.

Michelle Trute, CEO at Diabetes Australia – Queensland said Brisbane in itself is a vibrant and dynamic city, mirroring the personalities of the　international and national speakers and delegates that work in the field of diabetes.

"Our events shine a spotlight on our home grown research, allowing us to highlight the advancements achieved here in Brisbane and also contribute to the international landscape.　 　

Bill Thorburn, CEO at Tatts Lotteries described how bringing their industry conference to Brisbane provided the opportunity to showcase local operations to the world wide lottery industry.

"In 2010, Golden Casket and the World Lottery Association jointly hosted the World Lottery Association Convention and Trade Show in Brisbane. This bi-annual industry event brought together members of lottery industries from around the world to experience a quality business program, comprehensive trade show and a range of networking and social events. The event was extremely successful attracting to Brisbane 807 delegates from 54 nations."

Leading the city’s business events industry is Brisbane Marketing’s Convention Bureau.

Brisbane Marketing’s CEO, John Aitken said the Convention Bureau team’s capability to secure conferences from strategic industry segments will bring significant flow-on benefits for Australia’s new world city - from economic value to knowledge enrichment and skills transfer.

"The lasting legacies of business events are felt long after delegates leave the city and the positive effect on the bottom line of the local economy both assists our city’s flood recovery today, and benefit all sectors of industry for years to come".

Take a look at this video to see for yourself how our clients gained strategic value by bringing business events to Brisbane.

(Source: Brisbanemarketing.com.au)

Christmas Calendar 2011 - Christmas in Brisbane

Christmas in The City kicks off with the annual lighting of the tree on Friday 2 December. From 6.45pm King George Square will be transformed into a festive wonderland as Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, Santa and a host of other special guests gather for the much-loved tradition. The square will also play home to the circus-style fiesta Christmas Tights from 19 – 21 December. Live bands, street performers and theatrical acts will entertain passers-by underneath The City’s glowing Christmas Tree.

Throughout December, city goers will be treated to an assortment of merry events. Brightening bustling mornings, the Street Corner Choirs will perform at 8am, 8.30am and 9am every weekday from 2 – 23 December. Surprising and delighting onlookers, the ‘pop-up’ carollers will harmonise at various locations throughout The City. Providing evening entertainment, the Queen Street Mall LED screen will air classic Christmas films from 2 – 24 December, including Elf, Home Alone and The Grinch.

Christmas Music Showcase concerts will spread even more yuletide joy. From 2 – 23 December, city dwellers can enjoy 20 minute performances at the Queen Street Mall Stage. With recitals at various times throughout the day, Christmas Music Showcase will bring cheer to CBD workers and shoppers alike. Acts include Swing Central, the Australian Girls Choir and the always entertaining Andrew Sisters Tribute Band.
Saturday 5 November marks the annual David Jones Christmas Concert. Held at 9am and 11am in King George Square, the concert is one for the whole family to enjoy, with carols, giveaways, Santa and an array of cartoon characters.

The IGA Lord Mayor’s Carols in The City is an event for all ages to enjoy. Held Saturday 10 December at the Riverstage, this year’s line-up includes Marina Prior, Justice Crew, Troy Cassar-Daley and The Idea of North. Gates open at 5pm.

Families will also adore The Myer Christmas Parade and Pantomime and The Myer Brisbane City’s Christmas Windows. The Queen Street Mall will come alive with the colourful window display, which launches 10am on Monday 5 November and continues to Christmas Eve. Adding more magic to the Mall, The Myer Christmas Parade and Pantomime will be held daily at 6pm from 16 – 23 December. Kids can visit Santa and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer inside the Myer department store during store trade hours.

Multiculturalism and merriness combine for Chanukah in The City on Tuesday 20 December and World By Night on Friday 23 December. Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, will bring live music, community stalls, food kiosks and a giant Menorah to Reddacliff Place. Meanwhile, World By Night will showcase music, dance and food from around the globe in King George Square.

(Source: Brisbanemarketing.com.au)

Queensland Tourism News: Queensland Tourism Industry Canvassed on China Growth

Tourism Queensland has released a discussion paper on opportunities and challenges facing the industry as the State ramps-up efforts to snare a greater share of the burgeoning China market.

Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Minister Jan Jarratt said work was well advanced on developing the new Project China Strategy, with industry feedback critical.

"Sustainably growing our share of the China market and giving Chinese visitors a great experience involves everyone and I want industry to have their say, with consultation open until December," Ms Jarratt said.

"The discussion paper raises issues from better catering for Chinese travellers to diversifying target markets such as attracting different age groups and destinations so it is important for industry to think about these issues and give their feedback," she said.

"The resulting Project China Strategy will map out our long-term vision to grow our share of the crucial China market, with potential spending by Chinese visitors in Australia tipped to reach $7-9 billion by 2020."

Ms Jarratt said China was already Queensland's third largest international market and one of the fastest growing, with 198,000 Chinese visiting Queensland in the year ending June 2011 - 25% more than the year prior.

"Chinese travellers are big spenders, outlaying $381 million on their trips to Queensland in the year ending June 2011 - a significant $48 million more than during the previous year," she said.

"With Chinese visitor numbers forecast to continue growing by double digits over the next few years, it's vital that our tourism industry has the skills, products and experiences to ensure they have the best possible Queensland experience, and when they go home they tell their friends and family that Queensland is where Australia Shines."

Queensland Tourism News: Queensland Tourism Industry Canvassed on China Growth

Sydney Tourism News and Information: Aussie Surf Tops World Beaches

AUSTRALIA has the world's best surfing beaches, according to an international gathering of scientists, legislators, environmentalists and wave riders.

At the Global Wave Conference in France this week attendees from more than 20 nations gave a thumbs up to Australia's surfing beaches as they considered an increasing threat to surfing environments.

"Australia has long been regarded as having many great beaches," National Surfing Reserves chairman Brad Farmer said.

"Now this conference is recognising Australia's 10,000 plus beaches as the world's best."

Founder of the organisation he represents, Mr Farmer is lobbying for the establishment of a Ministry for Coasts in Australia to help protect beaches.

"The world is looking to Australia (for) how to manage and protect beaches. It's an honour for us to be leading the way forward," he said.

Aussie Surf Tops World Beaches