Secrets from the experts: 5 ways to wow guests at your next event
Taking the customer experience to the next level, and ensuring you get luxury for less.
1. Have an iconic venue
If you want your event to stand out from the crowd, the first thing to tick off your list must be an amazing venue. You want your guests talking about your event for weeks to come. One venue that brings that WOW factor is Sofitel Brisbane Central – a historic landmark in the Brisbane skyline. The addition of two new venues, Bercy Room and Soiree Terrace now provide organisers with even more choice with the Soiree Terrace offering a stunning outdoor option for breakouts, cocktail functions or dinners featuring sweeping views over Brisbane’s city.
Modern, stylish, French-inspired, iconic. The Sofitel Brisbane is ticking the experts’ boxes.
2. Location, location, location
As the real estate agents say, “location, location, location”. And with direct rail access to the airport via Central Station, Sofitel Brisbane Central offers unparalleled convenience for those who fly into the city. Located in the CBD with extensive views over the city, your guests will have full access to the vibrant Brisbane city…that is…if they can drag themselves out of the world-class day spa and 5-star dining.
3. Make sure you dress the room
Everybody knows the saying that you should never judge a book by its cover. Well, we’ll let you in on a little secret…the cover is just as important. In case you weren’t following our metaphor, we are talking about how you dress the conference rooms. No one wants to go to a MICE event in and old dingy life-sucking conference room. Guests want modern, vibrant, stylish spaces.
No one knows this better than Sofitel Brisbane Central, who recently took out the coveted ‘Best Deluxe Hotel’ award in the Queensland Hotel Awards and Bronze in the highly prestigious Queensland Tourism Industry Council awards within the ‘Luxury Accommodation’ category.
Director of Sales & Marketing, Abbey Madden says that the refresh has given the hotel’s MICE facilities an entirely new feel.
“The Sofitel brand embraces elegance and femininity with a modern edge, this new look certainly encapsulates that” she says.
All their MICE spaces have been given a modern update with stylish, understated carpeting being installed throughout all 15 flexible event spaces and onsite staging company, AV Partners, taking technology to thrilling new heights.
4. AV to max the entertainment
In the A-B-C of MICE events, it all starts with AV. The folks at Sofitel know this all to well, with recent extensive upgrades to their AV facilities. The 1,100 capacity Ballroom Le Grand now boasts a 9M Mega Blend Screen, 90 intelligent table lights, 120m drape track to cover the entire space with black, white or star cloths and a Flown Meyer Audio Array.
‘The state of the art technology has also been instrumental in ensuring we continue to provide our clients with leading product and service,’ said Madden.
All other venues including boutique restaurant space, Privé249 have been given a total technology refresh to ensure clients have a seamless audio visual experience.
5. F&B is the way to delegates’ hearts
It is hard to host a good event without amazing F&B. For those not up with the lingo, that’s expert talk for ‘Food and Beverages’. Hosting a MICE event is about exceeding expectations, providing those memorable, ‘once in a lifetime’ moments that take an event to the next level.
Sofitel embraces the importance of F&B through their ‘Inspired Meetings’, which provide exceptional experiences for conferences and events. Imagine a 5-star dining experience at Sofitel’s Thyme² Restaurant, Privé249, Cuvée and Harlequin Jack or even a specially curated culinary experience within the hotel kitchens. The sky is the limit…or your guest’s stomach.
6. More luxury for less
An amazing event doesn’t come free, but is doesn’t have to break the bank. Experts know the value in looking around to find the best deals that suit your needs. Sofitel Brisbane Central knows this too, and in order to highlight their recent refresh, they are currently offering new events 1 for every 10 delegates complimentary on both accommodation and day delegate packages. They are also including one bespoke Inspired Meetings experience per day to further highlight the exceptional event experiences that the MICE team can deliver. Full information on this incredible offer can be found on their website.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Sofitel Brisbane CentralLatest News
Sydney gets excited for Vivid at the city’s favourite entertainment venues
Get lit! Well maybe not the kiddies, but there is a heap of bright and colourful events on at Vivid Sydney 2024.
Novotel Cabramatta launch reveals the start of new hotel and F&B partnership
Brothers will offer hotels bang for their buck in Sydney's booming southwest.
Getting married? W Melbourne has three new packages perfect for the special day
The 'W' themed lights and settings are optional, we hope!
SKYE Suites gets behind Australian Fashion Week, partners with Shark Beauty
SKYE Suites has partnered with IMG, the owner and operator of Australian Fashion Week (AFW) as the official accommodation partner for the fourth year in a row. This year SKYE Suites will again host international fashion buyers, designers, and models and are delighted to have Shark Beauty, an innovator in the personal care industry with their […]
Western Sydney Tourism unveils fresh board ahead of ’26 airport opening
'Connect-Stay-Experience', that's the Western Sydney's tourism taskforce's motto. We sort of prefer 'West Is Best'!
From Olympians to mindset coaches, Helloworld’s OMC conference wraps in style
Say hello to a good time and make sure you're at 2025's edition!
2024 Green Revolution Summit brings travel heavyweights into green fuel discussion
It's almost like the organisers read our article on sustainable fuel this week.
Aussies a hit on the conference floor for IPW 2024
Diana Ross on opening night, Keanu's Dogstar band and a dozen lobster rolls. All in a week's work at IPW 2024.
Premium hotel operator ERDI launches it’s own academy in heart of Melbourne
ERDI expects to be shaken not stirred with the launch of its ERDI Academy in its Melbourne hotels.
Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts
Hanging out for that next dose of adrenaline? It's time for you to head north!
Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024 opens with a vibrant ceremony at Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau
Two days in Fiji! If you didn't attend this conference we're sure you've got FOMO.
$230m joint Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel prepares to open
Dear all business travellers, you're Melbourne experience just got a whole lot better.
IPW 2024: 960,000 Aussies took the trek to the Land of the Free last year
Nearly 6,000 travel industry reps descend on LA. Thankfully for all of their bosses, it's not in Vegas.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event
Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Two thirds of Australians support introduction of tourism tax, survey reveals
Can you guess which generation was the most outraged at the news? Hint: It is exactly who you think!
“The consumer really just wanted more classic reward availability” – customers underwhelmed by Qantas FF shakeup
All this consumer wants is to sit behind someone that doesn't push their seat back to near-horizontal levels.
Aussie travellers warned of ‘significant’ visa shifts in destinations including Chile, US and Vietnam
To be honest are biggest advice for having a layover in the US, is just don't.
Profile: Delta CEO Ed Bastian
Bastian says the airline business isn't for the faint hearted. We're sure Alan Joyce would agree!
Final Call: Travel DAZE Exec early birds are about to expire
Much like the auctioneer at the hottest sale of the year, we're giving you one more chance to jump at this deal!
Forget the weekend! Experience Gold Coast launches mid-week travel campaign
Your boss might be a bit bothered if you jet off mid-week, but you'll be the envy of all of your Instagram followers.
Victorian Tourism Industry Council warns of losing tourism dollars to NSW & QLD
Trendy cafe's hidden in CBD laneways can only get so many tourism dollars, clearly!
AIME 2024 rustles up $330m for APAC economy
This figure is a 65 per cent increase on 2023, much alike The Nibbler staff's alcohol consumption.
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Star boss resigns, admits retaining NSW casino licence unlikely under his leadership
The CEO resigned after 18 months in the role. 'Another one bites the dust' rumoured to be heard playing in Pyrmont.
Corporate Traveller swings amateur golfers around the globe for World Golf Competition
How're your golf skills? Consider yourself a Tiger Woods or often get quadruple bogeys? We take after the latter.
Corporate travellers to spend big on Melbourne F1 despite financial pressures
Part of the attraction is sick days after the event as corporate travellers suffer creaked necks and blown eardrums.
Bonza officially kicks off Gold Coast-Darwin route
The Flying Purple Thumb is back at it with another route. We swear, we're going to make this nickname stick!
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.