Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Simple Steps To Take the Stress Out of Organising a Business Conference



Organising a business conference can be stressful, especially if you’re short on ideas or time.  With budgets to balance and a company to run, scheduling time in your diary to arrange such an important event can almost seem impossible. But with the right help, it’s a breeze.

The secret begins with choosing the right business conference center that has dedicated business conference facilities to achieve your goals. The biggest asset any business conference centre has is a professional event planning and management team. One of South East Queensland’s most popular business conference centres, Woodlands of Marburg, understands this. Woodlands’ dedicated team of professionals can help take the stress out of organising you next corporate event.

There are several important steps to consider when organising a corporate event. First on the list is scheduling an appointment with the event planning and management team. This is your opportunity to discuss the type and style of event you’re planning, the number of guests, the space you’ll need to accommodate them, the facilities and amenities required, and the budget you’re hoping to work within.

The next step is to arrange a tour of the business conference facilities.  Consider if the location is appropriate and easily accessible. Woodlands is located next to a major highway providing excellent transport links to and from Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba. Next, inspect the meeting rooms and spaces available. Will they comfortably accommodate all of your guests and do they reflect an appropriate atmosphere in line with the style and objective of your event? Woodlands of Marburg offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. Its business conference facilities also feature the latest in technology including data projectors, TV/DVD/VCR, whiteboards, flipcharts, PA systems, lecterns and internet access. 

Catering is another consideration. Well-fed delegates stay focused on the task at hand, so talk to the planning team about refreshment options available. One-day business events typically consist of light refreshments and a lunch, while weekend getaways may involve a combination of sit-down meals or buffets as well as appetisers and snacks.

During the tour, be sure to ask about the onsite accommodation and recreation options. Woodlands of Marburg offers an all-inclusive experience with a restaurant, boutique accommodation, pool, tennis court and winery. 

The final step is to finalise the time and date of your event and lock it in with the event management team. Remember to advise the team of any changes to numbers or requirements before the event commences. With the planning done and dusted, sit back and relax with confidence as the professional team works to ensure your event runs without a hitch from start to finish.

Businesses Reap the Benefits of Annual Staff Events

The most successful businesses and companies are those that not only value their customers but also their staff. One of the best and most effective ways to show appreciation towards staff and reward them for their efforts is by hosting an annual staff event at corporate function venues. It’s a vital tool for any business looking to thrive in what has become an increasingly fast-paced and fiercely competitive corporate marketplace.

The motives behind holding an annual staff event are many. Aside from the traditional Christmas or festive season functions at corporate event venues, some companies opt for yearly team building retreats, award ceremonies or networking business conferences. Often it’s a chance to combine business with pleasure and the perfect way to ensure employees are made to feel they play a valued and crucial role in driving the company’s success. 

Public recognition at a company awards night or the end of year party can be just as valuable as a team building weekend or mini retreat spent with colleagues. Both encourage employees to not only perform at their best individually, but also work cooperatively together to achieve common goals for their employer. It helps staff to recognise professional strengths and weaknesses and how their individual performance and efforts contribute to the business.

Most importantly, an annual staff event is an opportunity for a business to reflect on its recent successes and highlight the achievements of staff while at the same time reiterating corporate strategies, goals and objectives along with the plan for achieving them. More ideas are generated when staff come together in a stress-free environment away from the daily pressures of work.

Whether it’s an award ceremony, team building weekend or annual Christmas party, staff are more likely to speak openly and communicate ideas more freely when not tasked with agendas and deadlines. Their motivation and morale levels are boosted, thus improving productivity. A happy, valued employee is more likely to strive to go above and beyond the call of duty for the company upon return to their daily business activities following the annual staff event.

Many businesses choose to take their events away from the office and host them at corporate function venues or corporate event venues. This escape from the daily work environment helps break down political, religious and personal barriers as well as eliminating distractions, leaving employees feelings refreshed and reinvigorated. 

The secret to keeping employees motivated at an annual event comes down to location, location, location. 
 Corporate function venues and corporate event venues are the obvious choice for annual staff events. Most offer corporate event management packages which allow companies to leave the organisation of their event in the professional hands of a specialised event management team.

The team works with a business from conception to delivery, ensuring all bases are covered from style and design to audiovisual, entertainment, accommodation and catering requirements. Consider hosting annual staff events at corporate function venues. It will take much of the hassle out of planning the big event without interrupting the flow of day-to-day business.

Monday, November 26, 2012

A successful business conference starts at Woodlands of Marburg

Thinking of hosting a business conference in south east Queensland? Look no further than Ipswich. This bustling metropolis, located just 40 minutes from Brisbane and surrounded by some of Australia's most beautiful countryside, is home to one of the most unique and trusted business conference centres in the region – Woodlands of Marburg.

Business conferences are a great tool for generating significant benefits for your business. They provide an opportunity for companies to interact with clients, motivate employees and drive new directions for the business. However they also take a great deal of organisation, planning and attention to detail. A successful conference requires more than just showing up and discussing your trade with your associates. Entrust the planning and delivery of your next business conference to the experts at Woodlands of Marburg.

This historic estate, nestled on 250 sprawling acres of lush and picturesque countryside, has earned a reputation as a popular and unique business conference centre. With state-of-the-art modern business conference facilities, not to mention great conference accommodation, Woodlands of Marburg is a treat your company and its associates are unlikely to forget.

From a business meeting for dozens to a corporate conference for hundreds, the professional event management team at Woodlands will ensure your function runs without a hitch. Old world charm combines with modern meeting facilities, making this business conference centre a unique option for companies looking to impress. The business conference facilities feature data projectors, TV/DVD/VCR, whiteboards, flipcharts, PA systems, lecterns and internet access. The lush, manicured gardens surrounding the business conference facilities also make for a unique discussion or meeting space.

When it’s time to rest their weary heads, your delegates and colleagues will appreciate the onsite conference accommodation. Woodlands offer an array of accommodation options, from four-star executive and deluxe suites to three-star standard and family rooms. Guests are invited to enjoy the facilities on offer including a half-size Olympic swimming pool, tennis court and winery. Woodlands has also partnered with several local tourism operators, offering great packages allowing your guests to make the most of Ipswich and the surrounding region.

So when planning a business conference, remember that it's attention to detail that helps to lay the foundation for success. The secret begins with choosing the right business conference centre that has the dedicated business conference facilities to achieve your goals. So make the right choice; choose Ipswich, and choose Woodlands of Marburg.

All-in-one conference venue key to an event's success

Business events don't have to be restricted to the office. Why not take your company, staff and associates out of the boardroom for your next corporate function? While there's no shortage of city-based conference venues available, consider skipping the hustle and bustle of town and hosting your event a little further afield. Just a short drive from Brisbane and Ipswich is a unique conference venue (with included luxury business accommodation) called Woodlands of Marburg.

The location of any business event is key to its success. The Woodlands of Marburg conference venue can cater for the smallest of gatherings to a corporate business event for hundreds. This unique retreat is nestled amongst some of the most picturesque countryside you'll ever see, yet is still conveniently located just 15 minutes from the heart of Ipswich CBD and enjoys access to a major highway.

Location aside, there are several other important steps to consider when planning your event. But thanks to the dedicated Woodlands event planning team, you'll have a helping hand from your event's conception right through to delivery. Talk to them about the number of guests who will be attending and what kind of space you'll need to accommodate them. Woodlands offers a selection of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, as well as the latest technology fit for any professional business event.

Catering is another consideration. Well-fed delegates stay focused on the task at hand, so talk to the planning team about refreshments options available. One-day business events typically consist of light refreshments and a lunch, while weekend getaways may involve a combination of sit-down meals or buffets as well as appetisers and snacks.

Most importantly, guests at Woodlands will benefit from the onsite business accommodation. No need to worry about traffic snarls or public transport running late. Your delegates will arrive on-time and ready to do business after enjoying a refreshing rest in one of Woodlands boutique rooms.
Hosting your event at this conference venue also allows your guests access to some of the region's most exciting attractions. Woodlands has partnered with several local tourism operators, offering fantastic packages that make the most of Ipswich and the surrounding region.
Choosing a conference venue and business accommodation for your next corporate event need not be stressful. Rely on the professional team at Woodlands of Marburg to design and deliver an event that will leave your delegates excited by the way you do business.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Finding the Ideal Corporate Getaway


What is the purpose for your trip away? Is it to get out of the city and explore surrounding areas? Or are you after more adventure?

If your goal is to spend time with that special someone, you obviously need to keep in mind a venue that has outdoor needs, such as a tennis court and swimming pool.
Rolling hills and miles of open space is always a bonus, so it's a matter of searching for a location that can off that as well. Open air can provide those special moments life tends to not afford us in the hustle and bustle of work. Nothing screams “romantic getaway” more than time outdoors.
Of course there's food to consider as well. Try places that offer both continental breakfast options as well as lunch and dinner menus. You don't want to spend your days trawling around looking for that next meal. This applies regardless of your reasons for the trip away.
When it comes time to gather everyone together, you must have that quality room that truly displays just how professional you are. A big hall or, on those hot days, an outdoor area is ideal.
Brisbane offers a range of options, as does Ipswich, but it’s hard to beat the location, facilities and relaxing surrounds that you’ll find at Woodlands of Marburg. Woodlands is the perfect outlet for that trip away with someone special, a family venture outdoors or the ideal corporate getaway. Come and explore now!

How to Find the Perfect Holiday Accommodation

Looking to find that perfect, cheap holiday accommodation can be as easy as a Google search. But there's a lot more to consider than searching for “holiday accommodation Brisbane”.
If you're after a romantic holiday, searching for that dream location can often be quite stressful, so it's best to lock in your location first. There's no shortage of places to see, with Ipswich providing more than enough spots worth checking out.
If you are after that work-related venture, the bigger the better when it comes to cheap holiday accommodation. Your colleagues will want ample room, but they won't want to fork out to much while there.
Look no further than Woodlands of Marburg, just 40 minutes from the heart of Brisbane and only 10 minutes north of Ipswich. Woodlands is the perfect outlet for that trip away with someone special, a family venture outdoors or the ideal corporate getaway.
So next time you’re looking for cheap holiday accommodation, Brisbane offers a range of options, as does Ipswich, but it’s hard to beat the location, facilities and relaxing surrounds that you’ll find at Woodlands of Marburg.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Idyllic Wedding Venues at Woodlands

If you’re looking for wedding reception venues, look no further than the historic Woodlands of Marburg.

Located on 250 acres of rolling hills and gardens in the picturesque Marburg Valley, the restored 122-year-old site has everything needed for your perfect day – and more.

Just a 15 minute drive from the Ipswich CBD, Woodlands of Marburg offers a range of beautiful settings for couples looking to tie the knot, blending history with modern facilities.

Among the options for wedding ceremony locations is the Woodlands of Marburg chapel. Seating up to 65 guests, the chapel is the newest addition to the estate but is more than 100 years old, retaining its old-world charm.

The quaint chapel, built in 1881, serviced the small German community in Tallegalla before it was relocated to the Woodlands in 2006. On the Woodlands site, the chapel has been given a second lease on life and looks set to wow visitors for many years to come.

But the glorious wedding ceremony options at Woodlands do not end there.

A range of stunning gardens and lawns make an open air ceremony more amazing than you ever imagined possible. From the open-aired grotto with serene rock altar to the veranda of the mansion or the Bunya Pine garden with views over the Marburg ranges, each setting is a thing of beauty and offers ample seating and standing space.

Once your dream-come-true wedding ceremony is over, Woodlands of Marburg can play host to a stylish reception in one of its four function and event spaces. All four spaces are located in the century-old Woodlands mansion and have undergone extensive renovations and restorations.

The Thomas Lorimer Parlour, which seats up to 40, and the Brockwell Gill Banquet Room, which seats up to 35, are the mansion’s original dining rooms and are located on the ground level. With chandeliers and the original fireplaces creating the perfect atmosphere for a wedding reception, the dining rooms are a sit to behold.

For couples looking for a bit of mystery in their wedding reception, the mansion’s Sandstone Cellar, which is rumoured to be haunted, fits the bill. The cellar seats up to 30, allowing for a small but intimate gathering.

The Woodlands mansion’s Jacaranda Room seats up to 70 people and overlooks the Marburg ranges from the wooden decks.

Finally, the marquee is Woodlands’ largest space for a wedding reception, seating up to 350 people to make for an unforgettable event. Large windows and sliding doors on either side of the marquee allow the cool evening breezes, as well as the magnificent view of the mountain ranges, to add to the ambience.

And for those wanting something more unique, Woodlands of Marburg can tailor a reception space to suit in any of its outdoor gardens.

So when you’re looking at wedding venues, Queensland people agree – Woodlands or Marburg is the place to be.

Couples’ Dream at Woodlands of Marburg

When it comes to romantic getaways, Queensland has some of the best holiday destinations in the country. From stunning sights like the Great Barrier Reef to the Brisbane CBD and the thriving tourism hub that is the Gold Coast, the Sunshine State has it all.

But nestled away just 45 minutes from Brisbane is a little piece of paradise that is every couples’ dream sojourn destination. That place is Woodlands of Marburg, a living, breathing throwback to a bygone era – but with all the modern luxuries. The 250-acre site mixes old and new to deliver romantic weekend getaways.

Built in 1890, Woodlands of Marburg is a plantation-style estate encompassing everything needed for a romantic weekend. Finally opened to the public in 2002, Woodlands of Marburg gives lovebirds the chance to stay busy all weekend – or simply do nothing at all.

Among the features of the estate is Woodlands’ very own winery. With its established vineyard – vines also grow on the Cooper family’s neighbouring properties – guests can enjoy a selection of wines at the restaurant during their stay and bottles can be purchased at reception. Wine and good company – especially a loving partner - is always a winning combination.

For the energetic couple looking for something a little more rigorous, the Woodlands of Marburg also has the answer. A half-size Olympic swimming pool is just a stone’s throw away from Woodlands’ two accommodation buildings, with the crystal-clear water perfect for a quick dip, a long session or a sunbake on the pool deck.

Not far from the pool are the Woodlands tennis courts. Nothing gets the juices flowing like a friendly hit of tennis between lovers and the courts can even be lit at night to allow for greater convenience.

Woodlands’ accommodation buildings are also perfect for a couple’s getaway. The standard rooms of Woodlands’ Bunya House are paired to share a bathroom with a neighbouring room and contain a queen bed, digital TV, mini-bar fridge and tea and coffee facilities. In Bunya House’s family rooms sleep four, making it perfect for two couples.

Woodlands’ Bouganvillea House - a traditional hotel-motel style facility equivalent to a 4.5-star hotel - is even better for couples. The deluxe rooms include a queen bed, mini-bar fridge, desk and lounge chair, with the four executive rooms featuring a king-size bed, sofa and double shower. Both accommodation buildings are just a few meters from all of the property’s facilities and a short stroll from the mansion’s dining and function rooms.

There are also a host of nearby attractions for couples in love, including Floating Images – southeast Queensland’s only balloon operator. Balloon flights can even leave from and finish at the Woodlands of Marburg.

The Australian Motorcycle Museum at Haigslea is just 3.5km away, while Willowbank’s Queensland Raceway is only a 25-minute drive. Then there’s Pterodactyl Helicopters, a single helicopter operator specializing in charter and aerial work.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Plan a Tree Change at Woodlands of Marburg



Need to get away? Consider a tree change for your next holiday and spoil your loved ones with a relaxing stay at Woodlands of Marburg. This magnificent estate and onsite boutique accommodation, nestled on 250 acres of breathtaking countryside, is just 15 minutes from the busy city of Ipswich yet far enough away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Woodlands of Marburg offers budget accommodation Queensland-style, with generously appointed rooms surrounded by iconic Jacaranda trees and native Bunya Pines. Large families will appreciate the family rooms or two-room suite in the Bunya House accommodation complex. Standard rooms are also available and feature a queen bed, digital television, mini-bar fridge and tea and coffee facilities. Fall asleep to the peaceful silence of the countryside and wake up to scenic views, the sound of birdlife and a complimentary continental breakfast for up to two people.

Nearby is the 4.5-star Bougainvillea House offering 10 deluxe rooms and four executive rooms. The executive rooms are perfect for a romantic getaway and feature the added comfort and luxury of a king bed and double shower. A complimentary continental breakfast for up to two people is also included for guests of Bougainvillea House.

Queensland’s warm summers and mild winters make it easy to make the most of Woodlands’ first-class guest facilities all year round. Relax in the Olympic swimming pool or take to the nets on the tennis court. For those who appreciate a good drop of vino, be sure to ask about the Woodlands vineyard. Guests can enjoy the selection of wines during their stay at the restaurant and bottles can be purchased at reception.

A visit to the restaurant is an experience in itself. Located in the estate’s 112-year-old mansion, the dining rooms are the epitome of 19th century style and sophistication. Original rich cedar walls, distinctive marble fireplaces and crystal chandeliers will set your stay at Woodlands apart from the rest. Whether it’s a casual meal at lunch or fine dining at dinner, the chefs will tantalise your tastebuds with seasonal menus showcasing the best of local and state produce.

When it’s time to plan your next getaway and you’re looking for luxurious but budget accommodation, Queensland offers you one of its most picturesque locations at Woodlands of Marburg. Make the tree change today!