Canberra barista world’s best Canberra barista Sasa Sestic of ONA Coffee was been named 2015 World Barista Champion at the 16th Annual World Barista Championship held in Seattle, USA. Sestic is the founder and director of roaster ONA Coffee is a partner in the popular Canberra city cafe The Cupping Room. His secret weapon to win the competition, a dash of local winery Clonakilla’s shiraz viognier.

Opposite page from left: The Australian Institute of Sport; the lobby of Hotel Hotel; Sasa Sestic at the World Barista Championships; sweet treats at every stop.

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early struggles of Canberra’s apartments, restaurants attention to its design, with do, by plugging the city’s access conception. To contrast how and community spaces. In Hotel Realm and Burbury to the nation’s power brokers. far Canberra has come the next many ways this sustainable, Hotel offering contemporary “The access to Government stop was a tour of NewActon striking precinct is what many accommodation and mixed and key decision makers is Precinct including Hotel Hotel, cities aspire to in lofty artists use facilities including hatted a key advantage for many Peppers Gallery Hotel and impressions but rarely see in restaurants and wholefood cafes. organisations,” he said. QT Canberra. In many ways reality; here in Canberra it has Senator Zed Seselja spoke the With the spectacular views NewActon represents exactly been fully realised. next morning over breakfast across the city and surrounds Shifting perceptions at the National Arboretum where Canberra is headed. A The Realm precinct is another as a backdrop, Seselja also mixed-use precinct that includes example of Canberra’s ability Canberra. promoted the beauty of the hotel accommodation, residential to bring great thought and He began, as many Canberrans region and its accessibility. Canberra is nothing like you think it is. It’s time to change your perception of the nation’s most misunderstood city, writes Sheridan Randall. National Convention Centre

“Canberra in its second century It is the centre of government nation, Canberra has always thinkers, the decision makers is embarking on a journey of but it is also the nation’s cultural had an image problem, but that in this nation who all come to rejuvenation, of renewal and centre. If you think Canberra is is changing. Not by chance but gather in this place to shape the one of presenting an entirely boring, think again. The city is by design, and that is the key to future of our country. There is different face to Australia and home to some of the nation’s understanding why Canberra no better place for you to shape the world,” said ACT Premier most innovative hotels and is the perfect city for events. the future of your industry, your Andrew Barr, speaking at the culinary creativity. Canberra is Nothing is left to chance. business or your association dinner often described as the “coolest “The Government I am leading bringing events to this city with as part of this year’s Top Secret little capital in the world”, but is seeking to open Canberra up its liveability, functionality and famil organised by the Canberra that really doesn’t do it justice. to national and international world recognised leadership.” Convention Bureau Canberra is not cool, it’s way investment, events and The famil began in style at the If you think Canberra is too smart for that. It’s what cool opportunities,” said Barr. Hyatt Hotel, with the group just a town for pollies and becomes when the hormones enjoying an alfresco lunch while Canberra... Brilliant Possibilities “This city is home to so many of bureaucrats, prepare to have settle down. Australia’s national institutions, listening to Canberra historian 31 Constitution Avenue, Canberra ACT 2601 02 6276 5200 [email protected] nccc.com.au your preconceptions changed. As the newest city in a young leading researchers, leading David Headon bring to life the

12 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2015 www.cimmagazine.com www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2015 13 Clonakilla spreads the good word A two times finalist for Australian Winemaker of the Year, Clonakilla is one of Australia’s leading small wineries, From left to right: The Jamala Wildlife with wine expert James Halliday Lodge at the National Zoo and Aquarium; describing its flagship Shiraz Viognier lunch at the Hyatt Hotel; NCCC showcases “an icon wine, one of the best in the local produce; interactive exhibit at the country.” Chief winemaker Tim Kirk National Gallery of Australia. wanted to be a priest before his passion for wine got the better of him. A true evangelist when it comes to great wine.

“The other thing that is special Canberra can offer when it knowing you are in the very Gallery of Australia, which The Australian Institute of designed and therefore works about Canberra is the access comes to hosting major events.” centre of power. regularly showcase global Sport and National Zoo and really well for events.” to nature,” he added. “The No visit to Canberra is complete With both buildings filled with blockbuster exhibitions. The Aquarium also offer a variety of The final night of the Top Secret Arboretum, the Centenary Trail without a tour of both the Old portraits of former leaders, art National Museum of Australia spaces and venues guaranteed famil included a tour of the and the Namadgi National Parliament House and current is also strong influence in the is worth a visit solely for the to bring an extra dimension to James Turrell Retrospective Park. There are so many great Parliament House. The history nation’s capital, which is also striking building that houses it, any event or conference. Exhibition at the National Gallery features in Canberra. There are in both buildings is palpable, home to both the National with its revolving exhibitions an Lunch at the National of Australia. An American artist few places that can offer what and there is something of a thrill Portrait Gallery and National added bonus. Convention Centre Canberra who uses light and space to highlighted not only the change the way we perceive centre’s conferencing our relationship with everything credentials but also its culinary around us. A perfect metaphor expertise, with its food stations for the effect Canberra had on showcasing the best of the the group, with everyone leaving Business Events region’s local produce. Guest with their preconceptions of the speaker Tim Kirk, from local city changing with every step at the AIS winery Clonakilla, spoke about of the way. The Australian Institute of Sport. The AIS. A place the shiraz grapes established Senator Seselja had begun his that cannot be found anywhere else in Australia. READY TO by his scientist father that talk the morning before with a Boasting 11 exceptional event venues and took the world by storm; plea to the group. spaces — not to mention an experienced events another local success story that team and award-winning catering from Trippas “I hope your trip over the next White Group — the AIS will ensure your conference, highlighted how Canberra’s couple of days will dispel some of meeting function or gala dinner is one to remember. INSPIRE. application of intellect the negative impressions people The AIS Arena, Canberra’s largest function space, delivered something truly can cater up to 4,200 delegates theatre-style give of Canberra,” he said. and 900 at gala dinners. The AIS also off ers two Canberra, the meeting place of Australia, special and world-class. Canberra has for too long theatrettes (60–300) as well as the Gold, Silver is ready to host your next event. Order your “The food and wine scene and Bronze Meeting Rooms which are ideal breakout had to fend off prejudice from rooms for larger events or individual meeting rooms. here is fabulous,” said Stephen free 2015 Meeting Planners Guide. those who never visited. The Woods, the Centre’s general Situated just minutes from Canberra CBD, the AIS time has come to shed the delivers champion events. Get ready to be inspired. manager. apologetic tone and embrace “We believe Canberra is everything it has to offer. WWW.CANBERRACONVENTION.COM.AU purpose built to govern “I like to think it is Australia’s Australia, but it’s not too far a T (02) 6214 1036 best kept secret,” he added. E [email protected] stretch to say it was purpose Not for long. The secret’s out; W ausport.gov.au/events built for events. The ease of Canberra is a city with its eye /ExperienceAIS movement and logistics that we on the future. And that future @ExperienceAIS have here in Canberra, from the looks bright. airport through to the city. You can have wonderful functions and then wander to some really Sheridan Randall was hosted important icons of Australia by the Canberra Convention and in no time be back at your Bureau and stayed at the hotel. It is a city that has been Crowne Plaza Canberra.

14 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2015 www.cimmagazine.com www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2015 15 P&SS 33920 CIM Magazine Ad v2.indd 1 10/04/2015 1:18 pm