Karen Kim
GM – MICE, Venica, South Korea
4 conferences per year with 300 people each
I knew little about Melbourne before I arrived, but it is becoming more popular for Koreans as we are looking for places further afield from Southeast Asia. The city has some great new hotels, shopping areas and attractions. Sovereign Hill would be well suited to Korean groups because we like to explore the historical aspects of different countries. It is also ideal for family-based incentives. However my Korean delegates would most enjoy the cheap golf on offer around the city.
Simon LuDirector, Pharmaceutical accounts, CYTS MICE Service, China
7 incentives per year, 10 to 1,000 people per group
I found Melbourne to be a fantastic conference and incentive option for Chinese groups. The sightseeing is excellent and there are plenty of opportunities to interact with the local people, plus it is convenient to fly direct to here from China. Sovereign Hill was a nice experience with impressive history and the nearby ocean is also a good option for events. For example, the St. Kilda Sea Baths.
Karen SooCEO, Meeting & Exhibition Planners, Malaysia
10 incentives per year, up to 50 people per group
Melbourne is a vibrant city, the people who put business events together there can think out of the box and make things happen. I have been visiting for a few years now and the activities on offer have really improved. On this trip I thought the lawn bowls was a fun option for people. The most impressive venue I saw was Chateau Yering in the Yarra Valley. The Oak Room there is very special and is a great option for group dining. Nearby there are some other good options like winery tours, hot-air ballooning and helicopter tours.
Tina YangHR and ADM Department, Bard Medical Devices, China
3 incentives per year, 200 people per group
Melbourne is a clean, modern city, you can see a lot of young people enjoying life there. It’s a good choice for Chinese groups. It is easy to get around, which is important as we don’t want to expend a lot of energy after working and travelling. The Crown Complex is interesting, as was the wildlife park, although our groups would probably be disappointed they can’t touch the animals. I also liked the Melbourne Cricket Ground, our groups would enjoy visiting a private box there.