What to Look For in a Top Convention & Conference Venue in Brisbane

At Woodlands of Marburg, we believe that we are one of the best convention & conference venues in Brisbane. This is not an empty brag at all, because we run a tight ship and are very popular with both local and interstate businesses. So what makes Woodlands of Marburg such a popular conference and meeting venue?

We are in the country

Most of the conference and meeting venues in Brisbane are in the city which is busy, noisy and full of pollution. Woodlands of Marburg on the other hand, is situated in the lovely countryside near Ipswich on 250 acres of beautiful sweeping grounds. We have fabulous old Jacaranda trees and manicured gardens for you to stroll around and we even have our own winery right next door.

We have fabulous food

Our first class restaurant has some of the best chefs in Brisbane and we offer a wealth of succulent food to our customers, both to the public who drop in for an evening meal or for a light luncheon and to our convention attendees. Our seasonal menus use only the freshest local produce and we offer fine dining and casual dining.

As a top convention & conference venue, our resident chefs will provide everyone with a healthy and fabulous menu consisting of morning and afternoon snacks, as well as a hearty breakfast and evening meal, as needed.

We have history

Woodlands of Marburg was built in 1890 and our heritage listed two storey plantation style mansion is fully restored to its former glory. We offer modern facilities, a convention & conference venue and boutique accommodation that is sure to suit all of your attendees.

Our mansion has the original cedar panelling, distinctive marble fireplaces, crystal chandeliers and the original old sandstone cellar which can be used for an intimate dining experience. The estate has a rich history as a family home in the late 19^th century, a rest home for missionaries in the 1940’s and as an extension of Ipswich Grammar School in the 1980’s.

Sold to the Coopers, a local family in 2002, this historic estate has been restored to its former glory and opened to the public. Filled with fabulous examples of architecture and furnishings, Woodlands of Marburg is everything you need in a top class conference and meeting venue.

What are the advantages of mansions over hotels for Conference And Meeting Venues?

When you are searching for conference and meeting venues you automatically start to think of the best hotels, rather than mansions. This is most probably because there are not many mansions open to the public and of those that are open, not many have the type of business facilities you need to make your next conference a success.

Convention & conference venues: why select a mansion for your next meeting?

It is a sad fact that there not many mansions still exist and of those that do, not many offer themselves as business venues. So it is really nice when you find a historic mansion that is full of character, sits in 250 acres of sweeping grounds, is close to Brisbane and has everything you could possibly want in a conference and meeting venue.

This fabulous establishment is Woodlands of Marburg, which is the setting for a heritage listed, historic plantation mansion that offers accommodation, fine dining and some of the best conference facilities in the area. Located only about 45 minutes from Brisbane CBD (south west), this venue overlooks the Marburg Valley and is a fabulously old (built in 1890), fully refurbished historic mansion with lots of character.

As far as conferences and meeting venues go, Woodlands of Marburg is right there at the top of the list. Where else can you sit in beautifully tended gardens, networking and building relationships in the wonderful Queensland sunshine? You could even have a competitive game of tennis or a refreshing swim in the half Olympic pool before the conference dinner.

If you have a conference that spans a couple of days then this is the perfect venue for you, as Woodlands of Marburg has lots of accommodation and plenty of things to do. On the other hand, if your convention only runs for a single day, then everyone will benefit from being out in the country air and enjoying good food.

Woodlands of Marburg has all of the business conference facilities you expect in any first class conference and meeting venue, but it also has history, plenty of character and 250 acres of wonderful grounds. So next time you are asked to book a convention & conference venue, broaden your horizons and check out Woodlands of Marburg.

Tips For Choosing a Conference Centre

A business conference is usually a great melting pot for ideas and innovative thought from various qualified people. However, if your conference and meeting venues lack the infrastructure and other qualities that make up a world-class meeting point, then your conference may not turn out as successfully as you hoped.

Before hiring a business conference centre, there are certain aspects that need to be reviewed to see if the facility meets your expectations on various levels:

 Accessibility

Although the assumption is that a conference will take place in a convenient location, many organizers fail to do this. For example, if you are expecting attendees from other cities or states, then hiring a conference facility that is nearby to the local airport makes sense. If member of your office staff are going to be the only ones in attendance, then finding a location that is close to your office would be a better choice. This logistic perspective helps saves time and ensures that people are on time for the conference.

 Privacy

Whether or not you need exclusive use of the conference facilities will depend on a lot of factors. Hotel facilities are often hired out on an as-needed basis. For example, if there is a large conference hall, it may be partitioned on busy days so more customers can make use of the services. Naturally, this is more profitable for the hotel; however, if that forces you to compromise on privacy then you may be better off looking at another location altogether.

 Capacity, Features and Facilities

These are the important nuts and bolts of organizing a conference. The conference meeting venues needs to be able to accommodate the full list of attendees, plus a buffer for unexpected but welcome guests. There needs to be enough chairs, notepads, pens and other items that go into creating a successful conference. Food and water should be accessible, as should rest areas for longer conferences. If the event is being organized over two or more days, then accommodation for the attendees needs to be considered. If you have videos or presentations for the conference, then it needs to have projectors and other facilities.

The Easy Guide to Choosing Conference Meeting Venues

A person who is not trained in conference planning may regard the whole process of choosing conference and meeting venues with great trepidation. However, as with most procedures, if it is broken down into small steps, it's an easy feat to accomplish.

Location, location, location

Conference meeting venues are found all over Australia, and a planner should ask the following questions:

·       Where are all the conference participants coming from; is the venue at a central point?

·       How will attendees get to the venue if it's far from the city?

·       Is the venue in an attractive area, and are there outside activities or places to see? 

What's on offer?

Business facilities are imperative for conferences, and should include TV/DVD/VCR equipment, projectors, white boards, broadband Wi-Fi Internet connections, ample power points, scanners, and, an essential in Australian summers, air conditioning.

Recreational facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, and games rooms all tend to go down well with Aussie business people.

Value for money

The cost of conference and meeting venues is a significant factor, but shouldn't be the chief criterion. Some venues are prepared to negotiate prices or are prepared to throw in additional items for a nominal charge.

Where to stay?

Finding conference accommodation can be challenging, so lodging on the premises is a good option. Room sizes, facilities, and services vary and details should be requested.  

Where to eat?

Some venues offer catering or have a restaurant for delegates to utilise. A food tasting or meal planning session beforehand is a good idea, and a survey needs to be taken to see if participants have special dietary requirements.

Have a look

Conference and meeting venues should be visited before a firm booking is made. Planners should assess the attitude of the staff, cleanliness of the facilities and bathrooms, noise levels, disabled access, and actual size of the meeting rooms.

When looking for conference and meeting venues in Queensland, consider Woodlands of Marburg. They offer conference accommodation, catering, and other facilities. Phone them on (07) 5464 4777 or visit their website today.

How to Choose Your Next Business Event Venue

Choosing between the right conference and meeting venues can be a difficult decision, and there are generally a lot of factors involved that you will need to consider. In this article I will outline the various types of conference meeting venues available, as well as the factors of each that you should be thinking about with your decision.

Styles

• Conference Centers – Designed specifically for conferences, and generally well supplied with the equipment and facilities that you might need during your event.
• Convention Centers – Usually larger, and designed for those industry-wide functions and corporate events that require more room.
• Retreats – These can include leisure facilities, as well as down-time activities for when the main conferences aren’t taking place.
• Hotels – Usually for smaller or less important events, there are many hotels that offer rooms and halls for this purpose, and with a variety of rooms and suites for participants to stay in during the course of the event.

Factors when making a decision

• Catering – Definitely an important aspect to consider, as food should generally be served at most events that take place over more than just a few hours. A venue’s catering should provide a range of food to appeal to taste, nationality, and any eating restrictions (such as food allergies) that the guests may have.
• Reputation – Conducting a quick search online regarding previous customers at any particular venue is a great way to find information on how successful that venue will be for you.
• Venue Equipment – Probably the most important aspect, as equipment will define how your event can be run. Making sure that the venue has adequate audio-visual gear (such as projectors), as well as seating and access to necessities such as toilets is imperative in choosing a suitable venue.

Overall, carrying out thorough research when choosing between the various convention & conference venues in your area is the most important factor in how successful your event will be. Especially considering how large of a purchase hiring out these events can be, it definitely pays to take your time and get the perfect fit, rather than rushing in and regretting it later.