It’s been a few months since I reported on our Networking Events throughout the country and we have squeezed in 10 functions since then!

We have been so excited in meeting so many new members right across Australia and of course catching up with so many of our existing members and friends!

We continue to get great feedback on our red dot system, making it that much easier for new members to attend our networking events for the first time. If you haven’t been to an event, a red dot on your name tag indicates for returning members that you are a first timer and that you need to be looked after and always made to feel welcome at all times. It is a great initiative that allows any new member not to feel intimidated if they are coming to an event on their own and may not know anyone in the room.

Below is a quick review of what’s been happening as well as the events coming up!

Melbourne

InterContinental Melbourne hosted EAN’s 10 Year celebrations and oh what a night! The team did such an amazing job and our thanks to Lisa, Amanda and the team for making the night so special for us all. It was such a treat to be in the iconic atrium in the Alluvial Restaurant at this spectacular Melbourne property.

Guests were set a task from the talented team at Be Challenged to identify certain items on various tables around the room – not such an easy challenge, but one that certainly got the room talking. Attendees also had a chance to receive a tarot card reading during the evening with lots of apparently very accurate readings!

With 500,000 IHG Reward Club Points to give away to 10 lucky EAs as well as some of the most generous prizes donated from local restaurants, florists and of course IHG, the EAs were thrilled. Even more so when they were all able to take home a packed goody bag as well!

Thank you again IHG & InterContinental Melbourne for celebrating this milestone with us and we look forward to seeing you all at the hotel again shortly.

On a beautiful Melbourne evening, October 20, many of EAN’s members stepped back in time and into the beautiful art deco rooms of the Rendezvous Hotel. Yet again TFE lifted the bar and put on a sensational event. Food stations with chefs preparing the freshest of foods, swing music playing in the background and the wonderful staff moving quietly around making sure regional wines and cocktails were plentiful made for an excellent evening.

A big thank you to Jag Kaggoda and his staff at the Rendezvous for going the extra yards and putting on such a fantastic evening.

There is lots more to come in Melbourne with the EAN Melbourne Congress & Expo scheduled for the 29 & 30 which includes a Networking Event the evening of the 29 November. Make sure you come along to this if you are unable to attend the conference or visit the expo during the day. We have also just announced that there are two Etihad Airway international tickets to be given away and all EAs who visit the QBT stand go in the draw for a chance to win.

We also have an event lined up early next year with QBT as well as Holiday Inn Melbourne and Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport, with more details forwarded shortly.

Canberra

On September 22nd, it was Canberra’s turn to enjoy a networking function, and what an amazing location it was. The Boat House on the Lake, one of Canberra’s most beautiful venues put on a night to remember with our host James Souter and his staff serving up some fabulous food, beautiful local wines and fantastic views across Lake Burley Griffin. Thank you to James and his team for a fantastic evening.

The members who attended were truly thankful for a wonderful evening and there’s no doubt The Boat House by the Lake will fit the bill for many of the corporate functions that our members organise.

QBT, EAN’s National Platinum Corporate Travel Partner, turned on a great evening on Wednesday October 26 at Hotel Hotel. One of the best attended networking functions in Canberra saw our members enjoying exceptional canapés, a huge cheese platter and some beautiful wine tasting.

QBT had organised local winery Lark Hill to provide the wines for the evening with winemaker Chris Carpenter on hand to host a fun ‘hands on head guess the wine competition’ which lead to a great deal of laughter and eventually one lucky winner receiving a bottle of sparkling wine.

Thanks to Vicky Stewart and the Canberra QBT team for hosting such a fun and engaging event.

An invite to our November Networking event hosted by Cliftons has been sent and is sure to be a fantastic evening. For those of you who have seen the Cliftons offices, it’s time to revisit as it has now been fully refurbished with new furnishings, a new kitchen and even a new General Manager. They have a few delectable activities up their sleeves including even trying your hand at making rice paper rolls, so come along and join in the fun and jump on line and register if you haven’t already.

Perth

We are also excited to have an event scheduled in the calendar at Crowne Plaza Perth on 9 November. Crowne Plaza are hosting ‘Just Another Day in WA’ – of course this means JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!! Relax with the company of your fellow EA peers and enjoy the views over the Swan River whilst sampling local wines and seasonal produce. The crew at Crowne Plaza look forward to seeing you so don’t delay in registering for this event.

Sydney

Business Events Victoria hosted their regional showcase in August, bringing many venues and suppliers from right across the Victorian region here to Sydney and we were thrilled to co-host this event and bring so many of the EAN Members to the night. It was fantastic to be able to speak directly with local suppliers and meet contacts from various venues from regional Victoria which was a huge benefit to the EAN members. Our thanks to Chris and the team at BE Vic, it was a fabulous night!

On 25 August IHG hosted an intimate dinner for 15 at InterContinental Sydney to showcase their private restaurant dining area where the most decadent Christmas feast was served. Then we had a private wine tasting followed by a visit to a private function area on the Club Lounge which is a real hidden gem before retiring to the Club Lounge. Our thanks to InterContinental Sydney, we were all totally spoilt.

The sun was shining as a group of 50 EAs headed to Coogee for a long lunch with Crowne Plaza and weren’t we spoilt! A huge seafood Paella accompanied with dish upon dish to share at each table and a beautiful selection of wines. We were also able to view the rooms and event spaces at the hotel and absolutely loved the hospitality shown by Anita and staff at the property. It was one of those special events that will be remembered by all for a long time… Thank you Crowne Plaza Coogee!

EAN Sydney members were treated to a night out in a 3 bedroom, 3 story, Penthouse Apartment at Meriton Serviced Apartments in Kent Street. Not something you get to do every week and totally enjoyed by all. Guests had the opportunity to view a selection of other suites and were spoilt with catering by Neil Perry’s Burger Project! A highlight of the night was hearing from the creator of ‘Metis’, the in-house botanical skin and hair range which are featured in all Meriton Serviced Apartments. Our thanks to Michelle and the team for your wonderful hospitality and for your very generous giveaway prizes and take home gifts. All were absolutely loved by the members.

The last event in Sydney was held on 27 October and a small group gathered at the Holiday Inn Old Sydney in The Rocks to view their amazing rooftop event space and hotel facilities. It is such an iconic hotel and ideally situated for those interstate or overseas colleagues and clients. We were treated to a delicious selection of food and beverages whilst honing in on our trivia skills! Only two points were the difference between the winning team and the team who won the wooden spoon – literally! It was great fun and congratulations to our lucky prize winners who picked up some very generous donated prizes from Holiday Inn and IHG, not to mention the wonderful gift bag for all in attendance. Thanks so much to Jenny and the team at Holiday Inn Old Sydney!

It looks like Sydney isn’t slowing down, with a number of events already in the calendar for next year and hopefully one more to go prior to the summer holidays this year! We will keep you informed as dates are confirmed, so keep an eye out.

Adelaide

We were thrilled to be able to host an event again in Adelaide on 12 October with our good friends at Crowne Plaza Adelaide. Guests tried their hand at making espresso martinis and Udder delights delighted guests with their wine and cheese tasting throughout the night. We would like to thank Crowne Plaza Adelaide and their team for hosting this event and look forward to holding another event in Adelaide soon.

Brisbane

We have had the most amazing time in September with many local Brisbane EAs and some that even travelled interstate for the EAN Congress & Exhibition. It was a record number of attendees in QLD and we all had a fabulous two days at The Pullman Brisbane. The Conference was a huge success and the exhibition was a massive added bonus – thank you to all those involved and it was great catching up with all the Brisbane EAs. Congratulations also to the lucky winner of two International Flights compliments of QBT Travel.

In October, we all celebrated in style in the Penthouse Collection Suite as Meriton Serviced Apartments, Hershel Street Brisbane. This venue was on the top floor of the highest accommodation building in Brisbane (Floor No. 74) and there was not only one Penthouse, but two, both 3 bedroom and equally as stunning as the other! Guests were able to also see a selection of other suites and eat to their hearts content with the most stunning food selection, and I can assure you, no one left hungry! A highlight of the night was hearing from the creator of ‘Metis’, the in-house botanical skin and hair range which are featured in all Meriton Serviced Apartments. Our thanks to Michelle and the team for your wonderful hospitality and for your very generous giveaway prizes and take home gifts. All were absolutely loved by the members.

The November Networking event was hosted by QBT on 2 November at the delightful Golden Pig. Their wine and food experts entertained and educated us with a selection of wines with delicious food to match! We all left with full bellies and full brains from all of the fascinating information on the wines we got to taste.

As you can see it has been a busy few months and we are looking forward to continuing to meet many of the EAN members over the coming months in the lead up to the festive season.