From international sporting events to brilliant light-art exhibitions, Australia hosts many world-class events and festivals that will inspire your team. Treat them to exceptional hospitality and exclusive experiences for a once-in-a-lifetime business event.
Australian Open
16-29 January 2017
For sports enthusiasts, January in Melbourne means one thing - the Australian Open is back, taking over the city for a fortnight of top tennis action, world-class entertainment and premium hospitality experiences.
The Australian Open is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held each year and attracts the world's greatest tennis players.
The 2017 event will see more corporate dining options, private clubs and exclusive spaces, creating the ideal environment for successful business incentives.
Corporate hospitality packages range from courtside super-boxes accommodating up to 18 guests to a variety of private rooms accommodating 15 to 150 guests at Rod Laver and Hisense arenas.
Event planners can create their own seating and dining combinations at one of five on-site restaurants; and choose from a range of upgrades, such as transport in an official car, a visit from a tennis legend, and behind-the-scenes tours inside Melbourne Park.
While the international stars of tennis battle it out for the coveted trophy on court, off-court the city comes alive with entertainment around the clock.
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Advertise with NZME.Brisbane Global Tens Tournament
11-12 February 2017
It's said to be the game they play in heaven, and the rugby gods will be smiling on Brisbane in February.
The inaugural Brisbane Global Tens will see more than 300 stars from Australian and New Zealand professional rugby squads and four elite teams from around the world compete at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
Developed by Duco Events, the company behind the successful Auckland Nines in NRL, the 10 players per side, 10 minutes per half, knockout tournament will show rugby at its action-packed best.
Sportsnet Holidays, the official travel agent for the event, has three-, four- and five-night packages from New Zealand, which include return economy airfares from Auckland (and other cities on request); central Brisbane accommodation; tickets to the main event; and reserved seating at the official Brisbane Global Tens Gala at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on the Friday before the tournament.
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Advertise with NZME.But wait, there's more: the opportunity to meet and have photos taken with players from each squad; an exclusive 30-minute behind-the-scenes experience; access to a private viewing room at Suncorp Stadium to watch the players warming up.
brisbaneglobaltens.com; sportsnetholidays.com
Field of Light
Until 31 March 2017
Australia's Red Centre has been a meeting-place for the past 30,000 years, the other-worldly environment lending itself to special experiences unlike anywhere else.
Uluru is spectacular at any time, but for a limited period there is even more reason to visit the heart of Australia.
The monumental art phenomenon, Bruce Munro's Field of Light, has seen the installation of more than 50,000 slender stems crowned with frosted-glass spheres that bloom as darkness falls, casting the rock in a never-to-be-repeated light.
Incentive guests at Ayers Rock Resort are able to interact with Munro's experiential artwork in a number of ways. The 'A Night at Field of Light' package transports your guests to a remote desert location, where they'll enjoy unsurpassed views of Uluru with canapes and wine, followed by a three-course bush tucker-inspired dinner under the stars.
Between 80-120 guests can be accommodated for exclusive use.
That can also be extended to include arriving at Uluru by camel; or for the ultimate experience, arrive by helicopter with a maximum of 20 people at a time.
Vivid Sydney
26 May-17 June 2017
An annual event that transforms the city into a spectacular canvas of light, music and ideas for 23 nights. The multi-awardwinning winter festival has grown into the largest of its kind in the world, and in 2017, will feature an expanded programme of dazzling light art across the city, cutting-edge contemporary music, and stimulating public talks and workshops from leading global creative thinkers.
Each night, light installations and projections illuminate Sydney's iconic buildings and attractions including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Martin Place, Taronga Zoo and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The festival attracts many conference and incentive groups to Sydney with a range of luxurious five-star harbour-side hotels or waterside restaurants with front-row views of the event.
Night-time BridgeClimb experiences offer groups the chance to be part of the event, wearing flashing light vests as they climb to the summit; or they can enjoy the spectacle fromthe water on a harbour cruise. Groups can also attend the Vivid Ideas Exchange, a forum for creative industries to collaborate and showcase new ideas.
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
4-15 April 2018
The Games will be one of the largest sporting events Australia has ever seen.
More than 6000 athletes and team officials from 71 nations will converge on Queensland for the 11-day sporting and cultural event, and those who attend will have an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.
The Games will be will be hosted across 18 venues on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville, providing business event and incentive planners with a range of opportunities to be part of the event.
In addition to the sport, the Gold Coast offers almost limitless possibilities for creating unique events, incentive programmes and team-building activities.
Boasting some of Australia's finest beaches, seven of the country's best theme parks, more than 40 top-level golf courses and 600 restaurants and cafés, there's a range of inspiring options for large and small events.
Think: an intimate rainforest dinner for 10 guests; 2000 at one of the theme parks; up to 6000 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Tickets for the Games will be available from April 2017.
