The Conference Shop and All the Goss | Podcast en RSS.com

The Conference Shop and All the Goss

The Conference Shop and All the Goss

por Carla Offord

Administración Noticias de negocios

Temporada 3

The Destinations We Loved, the Ones You're Overlooking & $15K in Free Grants

Season 3 is done — and this week the TCS team sit down to give their honest verdict on every destination we covered. Carla, MJ and Den share the standouts, the most underestimated destinations, the grants planners are leaving on the table, and two destinations that didn't make the season but absolutely deserve a spot on your radar.

Inside Auckland: New Convention Centre, New Hotels & Dolphins on the Ferry

Auckland is three hours from the East Coast, with 200+ direct flights from Australia daily — and a brand new convention centre that just opened in February 2026. Charlotte Mills, Business Development Manager at the Auckland Convention Bureau, joins Carla to make the case for Auckland: a walkable, scalable city with two hotel openings on the horizon and a cultural experience that gives delegates genuine goosebumps.

Tasmania: The Destination That Surprises Event Planners

In this episode, we head to Tasmania with Laura Curtain, Head of Client Relations at Business Events Tasmania, to uncover what makes this destination so unique for corporate events. From easy access and new developments to truly local, immersive experiences, Laura shares why Tasmania continues to surprise planners — and how its connected community helps create events that feel personal, memorable, and different.

Gold Coast: From Boardrooms to Beachfront

From boardrooms to beachfront experiences — this is the Gold Coast. In this episode, we sit down with Brooke Campbell from Experience Gold Coast to explore what makes it one of Australia’s most versatile event destinations. From major hotel developments (Hyatt Andaz!) and unique venues to outdoor experiences your delegates won’t forget, this is your inside look at how to make the most of the Gold Coast for your next event.

Christchurch: Mountains, Opera Singers & a Brand New Stadium

A lot of planners haven't looked at Christchurch since the earthquakes. That's exactly the problem — because the city that exists now is something else entirely. Edwina Fitzsimon, Business Development Manager at ChristchurchNZ, joins Carla to set the record straight: a brand new stadium that just opened with a 1,500-person dinner on the field of play, a Sheraton arriving in 2027, and experiences you genuinely won't find anywhere else.

Inside WA: New Hotels, Hidden Venues & the Quokka Selfie Competition

Perth is further away than Sydney or Melbourne — and that's exactly why it works. Emily Kelly, Senior Business Development Manager at Business Events Perth, joins Carla to unpack what WA actually offers corporate groups: a captivated audience, serious venue infrastructure, and experiences delegates don't forget. Plus the inside word on what's opening in 2026. If WA isn't on your shortlist yet, it probably should be.

The Bleisure Destination: Business Events on the Sunshine Coast

What if your next conference didn’t feel like one? In this episode, we sit down with Ali Thompson, Head of Business Events at Visit Sunshine Coast, to unpack why this fast-growing destination is becoming a go-to for corporate events. From seamless access and new hotel openings to “boardroom to board shorts” experiences, this is your inside look at a destination where business meets genuine downtime.

Temporada 2

The Conference Shop 2025 Recap: Trends, Wins & Lessons

From last-minute briefs to record-breaking conferences, 2025 has been a year of growth, surprises, and a few unforgettable stories. In this special season wrap-up, Carla sits down with venue sourcing specialists Mary Jane (MJ) and Denielle to talk about what really happened behind the scenes — the trends that defined the year, the destinations that stole the spotlight, and the moments that reminded us why we love the events industry. They share what’s changed in client behaviour, why timing matters more than ever, and how The Conference Shop continues to help planners cut through the noise. 📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au

Temporada 1

Inside Accor’s M&E Portfolio: Elliott Miller on Venues, Loyalty & Trends

With 25 years in hospitality — from cooking school in London to sales leadership across Asia-Pacific — Elliott Miller has seen every side of the industry. Now as Director of Sales for Meetings & Events, Entertainment, Sport and Groups, Pacific at Accor, he oversees one of the largest and most diverse hotel portfolios in the region. In this episode, Elliott and Carla dive into: ▪️ Accor’s standout venues for meetings and events — from Manly Pacific MGallery to Novotel Sunshine Coast ▪️ Exciting new openings and refurbishments, including Mondrian Gold Coast, 25Hours Sydney and Sofitel Wentworth Sydney ▪️ Why loyalty programs like ALL Meeting Planner are changing the way clients book events ▪️ How Accor is leading on sustainability, from eco-certification to eliminating single-use plastics ▪️ And the time a major keynote turned into an “unplugged” presentation after an AV fail 🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to you by The Conference Shop — a free venue finding service helping busy event planners find the right venue, fast. 📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au

Global Growth & Game-Changing Venues: Dean Jones on IHG’s Next Big Moves

Dean Jones, Vice President of Commercial for East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts, oversees one of IHG’s most dynamic markets. In this episode, Dean Jones shares: ▪️ The openings and refurbishments shaping IHG’s portfolio in 2025 — including Voco Gosford & Regent Melbourne ▪️ Why IHG’s “culture of firsts” matters for planners ▪️ How their Meeting for Good program makes sustainable events easy ▪️ The industry trends smart planners are acting on now 🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to you by The Conference Shop — a free venue finding service helping busy EAs and planners find the right venue, fast. 📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au

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