News in Brief: Tuesday September 10

Business Events Sydney will host an international industry forum later this month with a panel to lead a discussion on the current business events environment and how to ensure its future success
Panellists will include: Rod Cameron of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) and International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC); Sherrif Karamat of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and Alessandro Cortese of the European Society of Association Executives and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology.
The event will take place at the Sheraton on the Park on Wednesday September 25 from 9.30am and is priced from $55 per person.
Serviced apartment firm The Ascott Limited is investing $5.1 million on the refurbishment of its Somerset St Georges Terrace property located in Perth's CBD.
The makeover of the 85-unit property will take place in phases and is due for completion in mid-January 2014.
"We see immense potential investing further in the Western Australia market," regional general manager Kenneth Rogers said. "The refurbishment of Somerset St Georges Terrace will continue to enhance customer experience and see the property well positioned to service the buoyant market."
Microhire Queensland has confirmed Mathew Skea will take over the role of account/project manager as Ben Morris departs the firm to take on the position of AV production manager at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Skea has more than 15 years experience gained with companies such a Staging Connections and Hilton Brisbane.
Luxury Northern Territory property Cicada Lodge has launched a new website at the address www.cicadalodge.com.au
Cicada Lodge is wholly Indigenous owned and the website will promote the total experience, including culture.
“The new Cicada Lodge website is a one-stop shop allowing guests to view the facilities and accommodation, the touring options, dining choices, package selection, best times to travel – and to book direct at the click of a button," Cicada Lodge general manager Nikki Allison said.
Dedes on the Wharf has now arrived on Walsh Bay’s Pier 2, taking over the position vacated by The Wharf Restaurant @ Pier 2.
The restaurant is part of the Dedes Group, also known for Flying Fish in Pyrmont and Fiji and the Deckhouse at Woolwich Dock among others.
FCm Travel Solutions, the corporate arm of Flight Centre, has struck a partner agreement with Oman agency Travel City LCC as it moves towards its target of spanning 100 countries.
Oman is FCm's 83rd market and its 19th in the Middle East and Africa.
Emirates yesterday launched daily flights between Dubai and Stockholm, its 135th destination.
Accor has confirmed it is to operate the majority of Qantas' domestic lounges under an expanded management deal to be rolled out from November.
The hospitality firm has managed the airline's first and business lounges at Sydney and Melbourne Airports for more than five years, and will now also oversee its domestic lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth.
Accor also manages Qantas' newly refurbished lounge in Singapore.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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