Event planning

With summer just around the corner, now is the time to start booking venues and to organise that all important end of year soiree.

The amount of planning and consideration that needs to be put into choosing the right venue for end of year Christmas functions can make the season less than jolly.

But don’t fear, the experts are here to help. To help ease the pressure and stress on choosing the right venue, their advice is to start planning now.

Newly appointed events manager for Radisson Resort Gold Coast, Zan Lewarn, says vacant dates for Christmas functions are filling rapidly.

“Radisson is already experiencing an influx of enquires for end of year functions and if you don’t get a place in now you risk missing out,” she says.

Lewarn says the best way to simplify the organising process and to get a venue locked in as soon as possible is to let the venue do the work for you.

“Clients are looking for all-inclusive packages with accommodation, food beverages and other factors that take a lot less organising out of the process,” she says.

General manager of The Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council Laura Younger, says end of year functions, if done properly, are a great reward for staff.

“Christmas parties are a great way to say thanks for the hard work,” says Younger.

“These functions are also great ways to bring people together as many staff members of larger companies often don’t get a chance to meet people from other departments.”

Lewarn agrees that Christmas parties are great for socialising with colleagues in a social environment, but getting it wrong can spell disaster.

“It’s a great reward following a year’s work to relax with your workmates and have a drink, you just have to do the research as picking the right venue is the key,” she says.

Gold Coast Business News lists some of the best venues the Coast has to offer for corporate Christmas parties and other end of year functions.

COURAN COVE ISLAND RESORT
At Couran Cove, nature and culture blend harmoniously together to create a truly Australian-styled resort.

Renowned for its flair and creativity in food design and theming, Couran Cove’s conference professionals can create a personalised theme around your event, making sure that your end of year functions are remembered by all delegates long after they leave the island.

In August 2008, Couran Cove Island Resort was awarded ‘Gold Coast’s Best Corporate Caterer’ by Restaurant and Catering Queensland for the fourth consecutive year.

Relax, recharge and rejuvenate with a Couran Cove Island Resort experience tailored to suit you.

Indulge in award-winning accommodation, gourmet dining and luxurious day spa treatments or explore a range of sporting and family activities and discover native island forests filled with indigenous animal life.

DREAMWORLD
Dreamworld offers a range of unique and exciting Christmas celebrations tailored to the needs of any organisation.

The Corporate Christmas Party mixes style and fun together as you enjoy the offerings of our chefs and have a dance to live entertainment mixed in with some of the tallest, fastest and wildest rides in the world.

Events manager Jennifer Neville, says the Corporate Christmas party is ideal value for smaller businesses that can still enjoy an exclusive Dreamworld experience with other similar sized groups.

“Other clients can also choose to hire out their own special part of Dreamworld for the night. We can do anything from a sit-down gala with a menu that will rival a five-star restaurant through to an entertaining street party,” she says.

Just some of the themes and attractions at Dreamworld include a private dinner and show at Tiger Island, Gold Rush western themed evening or a heart-pumping thrill in Adrenaline Alley.

“Rather than offer pre-made packages, Dreamworld listens to what it is our client wants in a Christmas party and our special events team will cater for whatever you’re after,” says Neville.

Being a highly popular venue for Christmas functions, Neville urges clients to book now to secure a place.

GOLD COAST CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) will once again hold the largest combined Christmas party, The Centre of Christmas.

Clocking up its fifth year, the Centre of Christmas has gained a reputation for being the social event of the year and to celebrate this milestone there is sure to be a surprise or two to amaze and excite you at this year’s event.

There will be lots to celebrate with all the Christmas trimmings, award-winning cuisine, live entertainment by local sensations The Accidents and amazing prizes for you to enjoy with your friends, family and colleagues.

No party is complete without a menu to delight the taste buds. The GCCEC Kitchen of the 21st Century aim to please everyone by serving a delicious seafood buffet direct your table as well as the traditional Christmas dinner favourites such as roast turkey.

This coupled with the estate beverage selection of beer, red and white wine, champagne, and soft drinks will ensure a merry evening.

So if you are struggling to put together a Christmas party for your staff, family or friends look no further the Centre of Christmas, a night of roaring laughter, excellent entertainment, and spirited celebration.

MOO MOO’S BAR AND RESTAURANT
Enjoy your Christmas celebrations with park views at one of Queensland’s best steak restaurants.

The multiple award-winning Broadbeach restaurant has become a popular place for local businesses to hold their staff and client Christmas parties.

Moo Moo’s sleek warm decor with focus on organic free-flowing curves, contrasting textures and finishes coupled with the state of the art lighting system, provide guests with an impressive dining experience.

Chrissie Tansey from BBK Plumbing Plus, has experienced first-hand the hospitality at Moo Moos.

“It was hard to pick a venue for our Christmas party last year, but the food, staff, and location were excellent,” she says.

“Everyone was so happy with last year’s party we have already booked in for this year.

We had to book in July to make sure we got our position.”
Catering for groups of 10 to 120 people, executive chef Philip Edwards and the team will create a memorable lunch or dinner event to celebrate the end of the year.

O’REILLY’S RAINFOREST RETREAT
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat has designed some unique corporate Christmas packages where clients can escape from the daily grind and reward themselves for another year of hard work.

Unwind and recharge against the breathtaking backdrop of the MacPherson Ranges while enjoying an off-site delicious seafood barbecue in the private, scenic location of Moonlight Crag. For those looking for a more formal option, the Log Fire Room offers an intimate dining experience with a specially designed three course menu.

For a more ‘reflective’ choice, gather the team around the Corroboree Ring. Situated on the outskirts of the rainforest, the Corroboree Ring provides the opportunity for guests to enjoy a festive barbecue, sip on port, sing along to the tunes of a guitarist, and even toast marshmallows.

O’Reilly’s is the perfect venue to truly celebrate and relax with your workmates, well away from work.

PALAZZO VERSACE
Expect impeccable attention to detail, personalised attention and a touch of glamour if you choose Palazzo Versace to host your Christmas function.

Recognised as one of Australia’s most luxurious hotels, Palazzo Versace has a range of event facilities to cater for groups of 12 to 500 people.

With its classical Roman architecture, opulent decor and Italian craftsmanship, Palazzo Versace remains true to its designer’s Italian heritage.

The range of facilities at Palazzo Versace include access to professional in-house audio visual services, entertainment providers, team building specialists and special event professionals dedicated to ensuring the success of your Christmas event.

Three award-winning restaurants offer a range of dining options from a relaxed ‘bistro’ style to a sensational seafood buffet or gourmet degustation menus.

Entertainment and special activities are provided for all and each group will be visited by roving entertainers and, of course, Santa Claus.

Pricing for individual and company gatherings are tailored according to your specific requirements and mindful of budget constraints.

Q DECK
Celebrate on top of the world with Sky High Christmas packages.

QEvents have put together a new range of Christmas menus to cater for a variety of group sizes and budgets. Manager Tracey McMillan, says this year Q-Deck is providing options to suit all businesses with special packages for QBar and the Skylight Room.

“Our corporate Christmas party is very popular for smaller office groups or people wanting to wow their clients or VIPs,” she says.
The Skylight Room for QEvents, on Level 78 of the Q1 Tower, is the Gold Coast’s highest enclosed conferencing and events venue.

Conveniently situated by the beach in Surfers Paradise, the Skylight Room provides spectacular, uninterrupted views reaching from the surf to the Hinterland and beyond.

With superior service and customised contemporary menus by leading chefs, the QEvents team can transform your special event into a breathtaking, unforgettable experience making Q-Deck the ideal place to book your Christmas function.

RADISSON RESORT
Reward the team and set the pace for 2010 with a festive event at Radisson Resort.

Take a magical overnight package and spoil staff with a fabulous Christmas party with food, beverages and a buffet breakfast.

Have a ball or a more intimate affair in a private function room complete with a themed table décor or choose to dine in Chelos at Radisson Restaurant and Bar and enjoy contemporary style with spectacular views of the palm-fringed pool or golf course.

For a truly convenient package, Radisson will collect corporate groups from the workplace or Gold Coast Airport and return them the next morning.

With packages that include a succulent fresh seafood buffet and gourmet fare dinner plus an hour and a half beverage service, Radisson is the party place this season.

ROYAL PINES RESORT
Glamorous, exciting and highly entertaining, this year’s Royal Pines Resort Christmas Party is not to be missed.

RACV Royal Pines, one of Queensland’s largest resorts, is situated at the heart of the Gold Coast, midway between the magnificent beaches of Surfers Paradise and the rainforests of the Hinterland.

Set in the resort’s stunning Royal Benowa Ballroom you will enjoy a three-course dinner including a cocktail on arrival, a fine selection of red, white and sparkling wines, local beer and soft drinks and sensational live entertainment from Anna Maria La Spina, Mark Watson & Bang.

The Christmas extravaganza will be the perfect way to start the festive season celebrations.

Guests will get the chance to win some magnificent prizes including a ‘stimulus prize’ that will pay for the cost of your table.

If you would prefer to book a private Christmas social event Royal Pines Resort has an array of function rooms available and extensive menu options to match.

SOUTHPORT SHARKS
The multiaward-winning team at the Southport Sharks’ Functions Centre have put together a combined Christmas Party where organisations of different shapes and sizes can come together and celebrate the end of a hard working year.

Party guests can sit back, relax and enjoy the festivities including great live entertainment, delicious food, prizes, games and more.

If you’re a small business, social or sporting group looking for the best way to celebrate your end-of-year Christmas party, look no further than the Southport Sharks Christmas Party of the Year.