As 2020 comes to a close, we’re looking back on some of our most-clicked stories of the year.
Watch our video wrap-up below, or scroll on to read the full articles.
Business events industry adapts as COVID-19 strikes
It’s said to be a day event professionals will never forget. On the 13th of March, or Black Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison banned non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people.
From there, the COVID-19 pandemic virtually wiped out the event industry for 2020. But it wasn’t all bad news.
Event suppliers and venues got to work to adapt to the changing restrictions.
Hotels turned into quarantine accommodation, including The Playford Adelaide, who got creative and launched a dedicated TV station for their guests in isolation.
Pen Catering on Sydney’s north shore turned their corporate catering business into a meal delivery service, while StageKings went from event staging to stand-up desks.
The industry proved even with restrictions, the show must go on.
The Langham Gold Coast
The Langham Gold Coast is set to open its doors in late 2021, bringing 169 luxury rooms to Surfers Paradise.
The hotel will feature a 700-square-metre ballroom, four meeting rooms and private dining spaces.
The Langham Gold Coast is the first Queensland property for the brand, and joins existing hotels in Sydney and Melbourne.
W Melbourne offers a sneak peek
W Melbourne has offered a sneak peek into its event spaces, ahead of its February 2021 opening.
The highly anticipated hotel will feature eight distinct spaces, each with their own personality.
The Great Room is poised to be a favourite among planners, offering over 400 square metres of floor space and loads of natural light.
Guests staying at W Melbourne can choose from four bars and restaurants before retiring to one of the 294 guest rooms on offer at the hotel.
Luna Park’s $30 million makeover
The smiling face of Sydney is set for a major facelift, with Luna Park to undergo a 30-million-dollar transformation next year.
The 85-year-old amusement park will close for six months from January to make way for nine new rides and a series of upgrades.
New South Wales Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres welcomed the investment, saying it will create hundreds of jobs for Sydney.
Event organisers can rest assured the development won’t impact their 2021 events, with Luna Park’s function centre to continue operating as normal while the works get underway.
