November 2009
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Message from the Chairperson
It’s hard to believe another year is almost past. While some businesses may be winding down for the festive season, our local tourism industry is doing exactly the opposite as the city becomes a major destination for visitors in the weeks to come. Drawcards like Queens Park, the Ipswich Nature Centre and The Workshops Rail Museum are sure to be filled with families over the festive period. Welcome to the new board members of the Ipswich Visitors and Tourism Association which will now be known as the Ipswich Tourism Industry Association. These people will help lead our local tourism operators through 2010 and I wish them well. According to the recent visitor satisfaction survey carried out by UQ tourism students, we have some challenges ahead and I’m sure these board members will help the city face them head-on. Best wishes for a happy and safe festive season to you and your families. I look forward to working with you all to further enhance and develop Ipswich’s tourism industry in 2010. Remember ... Tourism is everybody's business Cr David Pahlke |
In this issue...Business Events Booming in IpswichSeveral conferences have recently been held in Ipswich and the calendar is starting to fill with more conferences in 2010 and beyond. The inaugural Railway Heritage Conference was hosted at The Workshops Rail Museum in October and attracted over 70 national and international delegates.
The 2009 conference of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria Queensland (ARAZPAQ) was recently held at the Environmental Education Centre in Queens Park. The two-day event attracted over 50 delegates from all over Queensland, including representatives from Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Dreamworld, Seaworld, Rainforest Habitat (Port Douglas) and Cairns Tropical Zoo. Woodlands of Marburg hosted the 2009 South East Queensland Country Conference. Organised by Tourism Queensland, this conference attracted over 100 delegates from Brisbane and the south-east Queensland region and was an excellent opportunity for Ipswich to showcase its diverse range of experiences. Delegates enjoyed dinner at the award-winning Cottons Restaurant at Peppers Hidden Vale, Grandchester. Future business events include 2010’s Q3 District Lions Convention and Legacy Get Together, 2011’s Rotary District 9630 Conference and 2012’s Model A Ford National Rally. Pictured at the Railway Heritage Conference held in October at The Workshops Rail Museum are (from left): CEO of the Queensland Museum Dr Ian Galloway, Chair of the Board of the Queensland Museum Prof Peter Swannell, Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale, The Workshops General Manager Andrew Moritz and Member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt. [ Back to Top ] |
Survey Depicts Satisfied Visitors
Tourism students from the University of Queensland recently completed a survey to gauge visitor satisfaction with Ipswich as a destination. Key findings included:
The survey goes on to say one of the top priorities for Ipswich tourism operators is converting day-trippers to overnight guests who would explore more than one attraction in a visit. Click on the following link to download a copy of the full report: www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_ipswich/ipswich_tourism [ Back to Top ] "Shift into Summer" Campaign Launched
Twelve tourism operators have partnered with Ipswich City Council in the “Shift into Summer” brochure promotion – the first issue of the Discover Ipswich seasonal campaign. Brochures will be produced quarterly with a different theme each season. Twenty thousand brochures have been produced which will be distributed in areas of Brisbane and Ipswich and include a range of special offers. The brochures are perfect for friends or relatives coming to visit over the holiday period and offer some exciting gift ideas for Christmas or birthdays or just as a special treat. [ Back to Top ] Markets on the Way
Ipswich Mall will be home to the city’s latest marketplace as of Sunday 29 November. It is hoped the twice-monthly Sunday markets will attract not just locals but visitors from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and west to Toowoomba. Quality crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables and gourmet food will be on offer with more than 60 stalls involved. An approach to Ipswich City Council by experienced market operator, David Bostock, a long time associate of Jan Power of the successful Brisbane Powerhouse markets, inspired the decision for a regular markets in Ipswich Central. The plan is for the markets to operate between 6am and 2pm on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, although this could be extended to weekly based on demand. [ Back to Top ] New Board and Name Change for IVTAA successful networking breakfast held at Brothers League Club in October was followed by the AGM of the Ipswich Visitors and Tourism Association and the election of a new board. The newly elected board members are: Frank Oliveri (Southern Cross Transit), Peter Graves (Country Comfort Motor Inn), Alex Van Kersen (Metro Hotel Ipswich International), Katie Laws (Brothers Leagues Club), Scott Bellingham (Quest Ipswich) and Dennis Mullins (Boody’s Store). The new board will be meeting in early December to elect office bearers. One of the key outcomes of the AGM was the decision to change the status of the association from a company limited by guarantee to an incorporated association. This change will result in less costs in statutory compliance fees. A resolution was also passed to change the name of the association to Ipswich Tourism Industry Association (ITIA) to better reflect the association’s renewed focus on the professional development of its members. Once the change in status is completed, a new logo will be launched for the association. [ Back to Top ] |
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Websites Of InterestIf you are aware of a funding program or funding website that we have not listed, please contact us at info@discoveripswich.com.au
Grants & Subsidies Funding Opportunities:These websites assist business and community to access government funding programs and associated guidelines:-
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IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL |
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