1. UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced the theme of its 2017 Global Congress is “Raising the Odds – Pressures and Profits in the Exhibition Industry”.

2. New Zealand’s welcoming visa entry process and newly launched Business Events Visa will be key selling points for the country as it competes for international business events, according to the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

3. Those staying at the recently rebadged Song Hotel in Sydney (formerly Y Hotel) will be able to get a better night’s sleep knowing that 100 per cent of their bill will go towards funding a number of YWCA NSW initiatives for Australians experiencing domestic violence.

4. Oaks offers a range of activities from hands on cooking lessons to yoga, golf and stand up paddle boarding in our flexible full service hotels and resorts located across Australia!

5. More than 47,000 people have submitted applications to volunteer for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

6. Air New Zealand has expanded its digital travel retail experience with a new Expedia partnership, giving customers discounted hotel rates when they book their flight and room together on the airline’s website.

7. Domestic and international buyers have until April 3 to apply for the Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) MEETINGS 2017 hosted buyer program.

8. SIGGRAPH Asia, Asia’s largest computer graphics conference and exhibition, has chosen Brisbane as the host city for its first ever Australian conference.

9. Business Events Geelong has taken out the Regional Destination Marketing Organisation category at the Victorian Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) Industry Awards for the third year in a row.

10. The Tourism and Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has unveiled a five-point plan for the next Western Australian Government to adopt in order to grow the state’s tourism and transport economy, ahead of the state election this weekend.

11. The headquarters of New South Wales’ six new tourism Destination Networks will soon be decided with expressions of interest (EOI) being called from local councils across rural and regional NSW.

12. Hyatt Regency Sydney celebrated its official opening with a launch party in the grand ballroom overlooking Darling Harbour.

13. The Women of the World (WOW) – Celebrating the Women of the Commonwealth, will be held in Brisbane in early 2018.