Blue Mountains Events & Conferences

25/07/2024

Recently I worked with XL Events to put on a team bonding event for my clients to remember!

The event ran out of the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains by MGallery, and involved building bicycles that then were given to children in kinship care.

It was so emotional, everyone had tears in their eyes! The kids said things like, 'Can I really the bike home'?

Thanks to XL Events and to the Fairmont! It was extra special to be there while the hotel was in full Christmas in July mode.

22/07/2024

Venue Spotlight 🔦

There are countless amazing places to host your next conference or corporate event in the Blue Mountains, like The Carrington Hotel ! With lots of different spaces suited to your size and style, this Katoomba venue provides a unique experience.

I particularly like how central it is to so many great Blue Mountains sites or businesses for an outing or team-building session.

📷 The Carrington

18/07/2024

Let’s talk event etiquette

🎉 INTRODUCTIONS 🎉

When it comes to events, introductions are paramount. You should always introduce or address important guests.

When it comes to Keynote speakers or other presenters, an introduction helps to build excitement in your audience, give your speaker credibility and raise the profile of your event.

Depending on the event, you as the organiser may be required to brief to MC and other times they do the research work themselves. Clarifying this early helps you to stay on top of things!

16/07/2024

It's Christmas in July season in the Blue Mountains! ❄️ 🎄

Love this table from Bygone Beautys Leura.

08/07/2024

A year ago I was travelling in Hungary, Austria, Italy and England. I am missing those places and their summer sunshine! ☀️

04/07/2024

What formats best connect with conference delegates? Each format has its own value!

Today let's talk about panel discussions and Q&A sessions 📣

These discussion style formats are a powerful way of communicating fresh ideas and stirring up meaningful and advantageous conversations. Plus they are an easy way to include more speakers and give more opportunity for delegates to hear from experts and others' experiences.

What do you most appreciate about panels and Q&A's?

27/06/2024

Have you checked out Kurrara History Guest Home? It's a special Blue Mountains location that is one of the oldest guest houses in the area, perfect for an intimate team retreat.

Need support getting your team retreat happening? Contact me!

📷

24/06/2024

Let’s talk about dietary requirements 🍓🍔🍪

As an experienced conference organiser, I’ve seen all the requests possible - and I've got to say, the jokes just don't land anymore!

Filling in the ‘dietary requirements’ section with classics like:
“Lots of beer”
“Only chocolate”
“Good food”

They don’t get a laugh anymore, more like a groan and a shake of the head 😅

📷 Photo by Pia Kamp on Unsplash.

20/06/2024

The countdown is on for the Australian Bushfire Building Conference!

This September event is one I've been involved with for a long time, and I'm excited to be gearing up to run the conference again. This year is the 10th year for this important conference and it's an in-person only event after years of needing to run online or hybrid versions.

17/06/2024

Two years ago at the end of May, we wrapped up the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Management Conference at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains by MGallery in partnership with the Blue Mountains City Council.

This year we've been working on this conference again, and are looking forward to being back at The Fairmont in October for this important topic.

13/06/2024

Sourcing conference gifts and prizes has never been so delicious as when visiting Josophan's - Fine Chocolates 🍫

Plus they offer great corporate workshops for your next retreat!

10/06/2024

Who are Blue Mountains Conferences? 👋

We’re a team of Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) and retreat planners based in the Blue Mountains and delivering outstanding events Australia-wide!

We have over twenty years’ experience in delivering successful events for businesses and organisations large and small. From conferences to company retreats to team building weekends, we take care of it all so you can relax and enjoy the experience.

30/05/2024

Does an event need to be in one hotel to be successful?

You’ll have heard me talk a lot about venues that offer everything you’ll need for your event, from conference rooms to accommodation to a variety of food options. However, an all-inclusive hotel is not the only way to create a special experience for delegates or staff.

Another option would be to offer accommodation in various B&B’s or smaller hotels and organise transport to your conference venue!

What would you choose?

📷 Werriberri Cottages in the Megalong Valley

27/05/2024

Looking for an amazing Executive Retreat option?

Check out the Dennarque Estate, Mount Wilson

With beautiful gardens and a function room called the Conservatory for team meetings, this would be a true retreat for your team.

23/05/2024

As part of my preparation for the Australasian Society for Developmental Paediatrics annual conference in the Gold Coast this year, I'm working on incorporating a yarning circle in the program!

If you haven't come across one before, a yarning circle is an important process that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people use to learn from one another, build respect, and share knowledge. It's a great opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to come together to talk (or ‘yarn’), listen and collaborate.

20/05/2024

Have you made this common exhibitor mistake?

With so many events I do, I only see exhibitors and sponsors concentrate on the actual conference. They don’t take advantage of the promotional possibilities prior to the event being onsite or live!

If you’re doing that - you’re undercutting your investment

Providing your logo and other promotional material, and having these displayed early on the conference website and included in the newsletter is just as important! This creates brand awareness and builds anticipation for people to meet you.

Ps. Yes, on the day event connection is very important too

19/05/2024

As part of the lead-up to the Australian Bushfire Building Conference, we've been sharing some of the history of Australian bushfires. These awful events remind us of the importance of a conference like this, that brings together the industry to innovate and strategise for a safer future.

AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRES - A HISTORY
1926

Throughout February and March 1926, forest fires raged across large areas of the Gippsland. In total, 60 people died. There was widespread destruction to farms, houses and sawmills. It is estimated 400,000 hectares of forest were burnt. The fires reached their peak on 14 February (Black Sunday) when 31 people died at Warburton near Melbourne. Other areas badly affected include Noojee, Kinglake, Erica and the Dandenong Ranges. Widespread fires also occurred across New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.

Picture: Bullock Team Kinglake Bushfire Victoria 1926
Source: https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/

13/05/2024

We're enjoying the last of the autumn colours in the Blue Mountains 🍂 Every season is beautiful here but the colours are definitely a highlight!

09/05/2024

A big part of conferences is NETWORKING 🤝

However, Networking with people doesn't end when the event does! Make the most of connecting with others by following up AFTER.

Send personalised emails or connect on LinkedIn with a message to express appreciation for the conversation. Whether you connected over future work or likemindedness, building relationships is one of the things I love most about events and something worth putting the time into - both there and after!

06/05/2024

This is a great local organisation putting on this really important workshop! If you or someone you know would benefit, please share it with them.

We're happy to announce our next installment in our Soaring Strengths Workshops - 'Beyond the Horizon'!
In this workshop, we'll be exploring re-connection to self with a focus on inner healing through inspiring talks, breathwork and sound bath sessions. This will also be an amazing opportunity for women seeking to reignite a sense of empowerment and build confidence to pursue passions and study/career goals!

This workshop is open to women 16 years and older who have experienced or been impacted by domestic and family violence and/or homelessness.

Click here to register now! ➡️ https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BV9YD6F
RSVP closes May 30th

06/05/2024

Have you been to Capertee Valley? It’s the world’s second-largest canyon and just a stone's throw from the amazing Blue Mountains National Park.

When you’re having your next team retreat or event, why not drive out for a team day visiting Capertee!

02/05/2024

Why should you hold a conference for your association members?

Conferences help to:
⭐️ Raise your association profile
⭐️ Provide networking for your members
⭐️ Further educate your members
⭐️ PLUS increase your membership

29/04/2024

floralteambuildingandevents has great options for creative and hands-on workshops perfect for a team event!

Check them out 🌸 https://www.floralteambuildingandevents.com.au/floralworkshops

25/04/2024

How do you keep energy up for conference attendees? Include experiences to pump them up or give them rest!

I love the idea of simple 5-min exercise videos in breaks, or a quiet sensory room to help them decompress.

What do you wish was at conferences you attended?

22/04/2024

Where are you going to explore the Blue Mountains this weekend?

18/04/2024

As a small business, other people recommending me goes a long way! I love when I get an inquiry and they say they heard about me from another one of my clients.

Is there a business you love and value? Share them with others! It'll make a small business owners day ☀️

📷 Here is me and INDY MTNS founder Emma. BM Conferences often uses her space and we love it!

11/04/2024

For every conference there is a period of getting registration set up, automating processes, project managing the website and preparing email templates.

It's always so satisfying to see everything run seamlessly and for registrations to start rolling in!

08/04/2024

In September we'll be involved with the 10th Bushfire Building Conference!

In 2015 when it started Agnes was involved as an administrator, now fast-forward ⏩ to now where she's been involved as the conference organiser for years.

04/04/2024

Venue Spotlight 🍷 Dryridge Estate

Nestled in the beautiful Megalong Valley, surrounded by towering sandstone escarpments, Dryridge Estate is a stunning boutique vineyard 20 minutes by car from Blackheath.

A beautiful spot for a team excursion for some great wine!
Dryridge Estatee

01/04/2024

How do you like to work? I like to get out of my home workspace regularly and be inspired by working at coworking space INDY MTNS!

This is how you'll often find me, in front of multiple screens (and often surrounded by notebooks).