Event Security – How to safeguard your event

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Arguably event and venue safety and security has never been as challenging as it is today.

Horrendous attacks which have occurred with seemingly increasing regularity have targeted public gatherings and events internationally. The overt and callous acts of terrorists do not respect traditional rules of engagement and the strategy to maximise fear in the community seems to target our workplaces, arena, public venues and places of mass gathering.

Due to this current elevated security climate, it is imperative to strategise and plan early to keep your event safe.

Having a well-prepared strategy will help to safeguard your event.

  • It is important to be prepared at all times, keeping up-to-date with the latest in security – not just when an attack or threat occurs
  • Cyber security threats to businesses and hacking are also becoming more prevalent
  • Having the right resources is crucial to combat attacks

As an event holder, you need to: Identify Threats, Understand Risks, Assess Vulnerability and Implement appropriate security measures.

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Aloft in the West

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The Cornerstone team are constantly researching the best venues in the market to keep you up-to-date on what’s new, and on offer. It is essential for us to have first-hand experience before providing relevant and insightful advice to our clients.

Last week the Cornerstone team explored the first Aloft in Australia, Aloft Perth.

Modelled off the W Hotels, Aloft Perth was purpose built with the tech-savvy and “always on” generation in mind. Offering free high-speed internet and buzzing social spaces Aloft Perth has been built to accommodate global travellers who value purposeful design, open spaces and connectivity. The hotel encourages its guests to stay healthy with a massive 24-hour gym, Re:Charge, packed with the latest equipment. Re:Charge also provides guests with lots of natural light with two large windows over-looking the hotels and the pool.

Boasting 224 rooms of urban style loft accommodation Aloft Hotel oozes quirkiness and sophistication. They have designed the rooms with floor to ceiling windows, and have allowed a window panel in the bathrooms to flood the large 33m2 rooms with natural light.

 

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One of the things that really impressed us was the effort to provide fast and free internet throughout the hotel, allowing guests to be constantly connected for their stay.

The flexible and dynamic meeting spaces on the Mezzanine Level provide removable walls into the foyer allowing an open, free-flowing area offering natural daylight from most of the rooms. The function spaces feature beautiful wood finishes and state-of-the-art lighting, audio-visual and business facilities. The Mezzanine Level is perfect for smaller more intimate meetings and breakout rooms for up to 120 people, with the option of using The Ballroom on the 19th floor at the plenary.

Aloft offers Perth’s highest function venue for 300 people with unique, never-seen-before views. The Ballroom features a large window which offers lots of natural daylight throughout the entire space. Adjacent to the Rooftop Terrace, The Ballroom opens onto it to reveal a large open area, which would be great for hosting Cocktail functions and stand up lunch functions.

Aloft’s Rooftop Terrace features spectacular 270 degree views of the city and Swan River, and offers a great alternative function space. Designed with service in mind, The Terrace features built in bar and fully functioning service kitchen on the same level allowing for quick and attentive service. The Terrace also provides the option to have BBQ’s set up outside with interactive chefs which provides great option for a substantial canape lunch. The special attention to service and presentation of food and detail was exceptional with a strong focus on using Western Australian produced food, and wines.

Located in The Springs – Perth’s latest urban renewal project – Aloft Perth is within close proximity to the airport, making it easily accessible for interstate and international travellers.

Thanks to Aloft Perth Hotel, and the Perth Convention Bureau for having Cornerstone last week. Contact Us today to dicuss how you can host your next event at Aloft Perth.

 

 

Destination Guide: Queenstown

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This month’s leading destination is Queenstown, a scenic town which sits on the crystal clear Lake Wakatipu surrounded by The Remarkables Mountain Range. As an internationally recognised destination, Queenstown is fast becoming a popular event location for many business and association groups.

After hosting several conferences in Queenstown this year, we are delighted to share with you the best Queenstown has to offer for your next corporate event.

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Choosing the perfect Keynote Speaker for your event

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Your keynote speaker plays a significant role in influencing the success of your event. 

Your conference not only has goals to reach, but also has an important message to deliver to the attendees. A keynote speaker not only helps to influence attendees, but also creates an audience focus and generates a positive influence around the event.

Preparation and research are key to ensuring that your chosen speaker meets the brief, captivates the audience and delivers a high impact and memorable presentation.

The speaker helps to set the overall tone of the conference. The keynote who opens the conference determines the atmosphere and core messages, whilst the closing speaker helps to continue the conversation and wrap up key points.  They add a great amount of value to the program whilst also providing stimulating, meaningful and thought-provoking material.

However, choosing the right keynote speaker to deliver on all these aspects and create cohesiveness to the event can be particularly challenging.

These are the key points you should keep mind when selecting a keynote speaker for your next event.

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Why you need an Event App for your next Corporate Event

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Simple event apps can be key to a successful event.

Being able to establish one consistent up-to-date form of communication is essential to providing seamless, and easily accessible information for all involved.

Event technology is becoming increasingly more advanced and the opportunity to utilise apps to create a more productive and engaging experience is at its forefront.

Today people are constantly connected by their mobile phones, with users checking their phones up to 150 times a day. In addition, smartphones are driving app downloads with 268 billion app downloads predicted this year.

With so many people using their phones as their key form of communication, we outline how a simple event app can improve your next corporate event.

 

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Fiji Marriott is opening in April 2017!

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We are excited to learn that Marriott are about to open their brand new Fiji Resort at Momi Bay.

The five-star resort is nestled in the idyllic region of Momi Bay on the main island of Viti Levu, Fiji, and is only a 45 min drive from Nadi International Airport.

The Fiji Marriott Resort, Momi Bay will offer a gorgeous array of rooms and over-water bures, the first of its kind on mainland Fiji! All 250 rooms and bures feature either a Lagoon View or Ocean View.

 

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We can’t wait to try some of the innovative food and beverage outlets the resort has on offer. The destination inspired restaurants and lounges include; The Goji Kitchen, a contemporary styled all-day dining restaurant; focusing on Fijian, Asian and Indian cuisine. The Fish Bar Grill & Bar, a causal elegant ocean front seafood grill which is open for lunch and dinner. The Fiji Baking Company, the resorts deli and bakery which offers pastries, sandwiches, salads and barista crafted coffee. The Lagoon House Restaurant and Bar, which promotes a casual relaxed dining experience serving simple classic Italian and Mediterranean dishes. And the Lagoon Lounge, a multi zoned resort lounge, the heart and soul of the resort and a hub of activity featuring local inspired signature cocktails.

Most importantly for us, to work with you on your next conference or incentive, the resorts event space will include a Grand Salon Ballroom with 360sqm of flexible event space featuring natural daylight, a 60sqm Boardroom with daylight, 1,200sqm of outdoor, pre-function space and a variety of additional outdoor spaces which offer lagoon and ocean views.

The resort also boasts a variety of recreational facilities for guests, including three swimming pools which compromise of a swim up bar, kids pool and an adult only infinity sunset pool, the Quan Spa, the Health Club, Turtles Kids Club and water sport activities.

With the opening of the new resort the Marriott have offered 5% rebate on the master account* booking a meeting with them. The resort will be open to the public from April 1st, Contact Us today to host an event at The Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay.

 

*Subject to availability, valid for new bookings to 31st March 2018, terms and conditions apply

Guide: Choosing the best entertainment for your event

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Quality entertainment can be crucial to setting the tone and building the ambience of any event.

Overlooking this important element or not paying enough attention can be detrimental to your event and your company. Getting the entertainment right is a balancing act, and knowing where to start can be challenging.

Entertainment can vary from; live bands, solo artists, DJ’s or dancers to comedians, interactive games and magicians. The choice is endless, and selecting the appropriate type of entertainment depends directly on the type of atmosphere you want to create.

Consider choosing an act that’s unique as you want to create an event that’s memorable and engaging. It’s all about creating audience satisfaction and ensuring the entertainment is in line with the entire event.

We’ve narrowed down the key points to consider when deciding on the right entertainment for your event:

 

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Destination Guide: Argentina

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Argentina: A world class destination that combines excellent food, authentic cultural experiences, a variety of activities and excellent shopping. The unique culture is a mix of Spanish and Italian: it’s all about the food, the music, dance, colour and art history.

After taking an incentive group to Buenos Aires in 2016, and experiencing the best Argentina has to offer, we want to show you just what this mesmerising city is all about.

Discover an insight into the best of Buenos Aires, as we reveal our favourite locations, experiences and secrets.

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Event Inspiration: Get your Mariachi on!

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Looking for a great idea to start your next conference off ?

Sick of boring welcome cocktail events?

Add some simple colourful props, a mariachi band and a margarita slushy machine, and the mucho gracias comments will roll in!

An informal welcome function was in order, the client using the same venue as the previous year needed to create a different atmosphere with a tight budget in mind to create a fun 2 hour networking night.

Cornerstone Events worked with the venue to create a tailor made Mexican style menu, served both on food stations and with some trayed canapés, which proved a hit – who doesn’t love tacos!

A lively mariachi band gave some great beats, but not too loud as to interrupt conversations. Welcome speeches were short and sweet, which is  a must for a stand up function.  Frozen margaritas another popular addition on a very balmy QLD summers night.

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Talk to us today about adding some inspiration and start your conference with a bang

Beating Business Travel Fatigue

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To an outsider business travel looks like a dream job and a 1-way ticket out of the 9 to 5 routine. But realistically it’s not all its worked up to be. With constant high performance demands, hectic schedules, stressful meetings and sleepless late nights.

As an event manager, business travel fatigue is something we have to overcome regularly; from international flights and 16-hour event days, to regular business meetings back and forth across time zones.

There’s only one thing an event manager dislikes more than a delayed flight and that’s feeling ordinary when you commence work at the final destination thanks to jet-lag.

Seasoned business traveller and Managing Director of Cornerstone Events, Natalie Brumniach, gives us her inside tips on how to cope with travel fatigue and actually getting some sleep on those long-haul business trips.

 

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