The Conference Shop and All the Goss

What if your next conference didn’t feel like one?In this episode, we sit down with Ali Thompson, Head of Business Events at Visit Sunshine Coast, to unpack why this fast-growing destination is becoming a go-to for corporate events.From seamless access and new hotel openings to “boardroom to board shorts” experiences, this is your inside look at a destination where business meets genuine downtime.

From last-minute briefs to record-breaking conferences, 2025 has been a year of growth, surprises, and a few unforgettable stories.In this special season wrap-up, Carla sits down with venue sourcing specialists Mary Jane (MJ) and Denielle to talk about what really happened behind the scenes — the trends that defined the year, the destinations that stole the spotlight, and the moments that reminded us why we love the events industry.They share what’s changed in client behaviour, why timing matters more than ever, and how The Conference Shop continues to help planners cut through the noise.📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au

With 25 years in hospitality — from cooking school in London to sales leadership across Asia-Pacific — Elliott Miller has seen every side of the industry. Now as Director of Sales for Meetings & Events, Entertainment, Sport and Groups, Pacific at Accor, he oversees one of the largest and most diverse hotel portfolios in the region.In this episode, Elliott and Carla dive into: ▪️ Accor’s standout venues for meetings and events — from Manly Pacific MGallery to Novotel Sunshine Coast ▪️ Exciting new openings and refurbishments, including Mondrian Gold Coast, 25Hours Sydney and Sofitel Wentworth Sydney ▪️ Why loyalty programs like ALL Meeting Planner are changing the way clients book events ▪️ How Accor is leading on sustainability, from eco-certification to eliminating single-use plastics ▪️ And the time a major keynote turned into an “unplugged” presentation after an AV fail🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to you by The Conference Shop — a free venue finding service helping busy event planners find the right venue, fast. 📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au

Dean Jones, Vice President of Commercial for East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts, oversees one of IHG’s most dynamic markets.In this episode, Dean Jones shares:▪️ The openings and refurbishments shaping IHG’s portfolio in 2025 — including Voco Gosford & Regent Melbourne ▪️ Why IHG’s “culture of firsts” matters for planners▪️ How their Meeting for Good program makes sustainable events easy▪️ The industry trends smart planners are acting on now🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to you by The Conference Shop — a free venue finding service helping busy EAs and planners find the right venue, fast.📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au

Kate Cooper, Group Account Director – MICE at EVT Hotels & Resorts, joins Carla to unpack one of the most diverse hotel portfolios in the country. From five-star QT rooftops and reimagined Rydges properties to regional standouts like Rydges Hunter Valley, Kate shares what planners should know, what’s changing in 2025, and how EVT helps you do more with one point of contact.We talk standout venues, flexible service, and the behind-the-scenes magic it takes to pull off large-scale events.📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au

Omar Herrera leads Meetings & Events sales for Hyatt across Australia and New Zealand — representing 30+ brands and 1,400+ hotels globally.In this episode, Omar and Carla cover: ▪️ Hyatt’s expansion in the upscale and lifestyle market ▪️ New openings like Hyatt House South Melbourne & Caption by Hyatt Sydney ▪️ What sets Hyatt apart when it comes to global event planning ▪️ Emerging trends for 2025 — and why planners are leaning local in APAC🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to you by The Conference Shop — a free venue finding service helping busy EAs and planners find the right venue, fast.📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au

Cristina Guevara is a dynamic sales leader with 20+ years in hospitality — and in this episode, she shares what it’s really like leading business event partnerships across TFE Hotels’ 70+ properties in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.You’ll hear: ✔️ Cristina’s take on 2025 trends (from sustainability to smarter budgets) ✔️ New openings like The Eve Hotel Sydney and Adina Town Hall ✔️ What planners often overlook when sourcing multi-city roadshows ✔️ And a name tag fail that required serious team heroics (and a lot of pens)🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to you by The Conference Shop — a free venue finding service that helps you shortlist, compare, and book the right space, fast.📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au

Carla is joined by Ben Greenwood, Director of MICE for Minor Hotels Australia & New Zealand — leading strategy and sales across a portfolio of 13+ meetings and events properties across the region.From 600-person gala dinners to a new five-star NH Collection hotel coming to Sydney, Ben shares: ✔️ What’s new across Minor’s portfolio (including Cypress Lakes and Elysia) ✔️ Why regional venues are winning in 2025 ✔️ And what really happens behind the scenes of a multi-week corporate eventIf you’re planning a conference, offsite or incentive program — and want the inside edge on which venues are actually worth your time — this one’s for you.🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to you by The Conference Shop — a free venue finding service that helps you shortlist, compare, and book the right space, fast.📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: hello@theconferenceshop.com.au

Morag Ritchie knows a thing or two about premium event spaces — she heads up Sales for Salter Brothers Hospitality, overseeing 20 luxury resorts and retreats across Australia and New Zealand.In this episode, she joins Carla to talk:What sets a luxury venue apart (hint: it's not just the decor)Behind-the-scenes access to exciting refurbishments at Milton Park and LilianfelsHow her team curates standout conference experiences with serious attention to detailAnd that nightmare famil moment she somehow pulled off like a proIt’s a conversation packed with practical insights, destination intel, and a few stories planners won’t forget.🎧 Listen now or explore the portfolio: salterbrothershospitality.com