As Australians enjoy less time out for themselves, the gap between the leisure holiday market and the professional conference or getaway market is closing.

Twentieth Century Fox’s Britt Fletcher understands the pressures of organising conferences and meetings.

“It’s a tough call” outlined Britt. “There are many venues to choose from these days, however if you are after that “wow factor”, that element that ensures management and staff are inspired and return to work rejuvenated, the choices are limited”.

We all know that a holiday improves performance, what we now understand is that shared experiences with colleagues provide a multitude of benefits within the workplace, both individually and collectively.

“We find that venues offering wellness and nature based stays usually deliver a more holistic and therefore beneficial experience” said Britt.

One venue that has been continually striving to meet these expectations is Byron Bay’s multi award winning Byron at Byron Resort. Since opening in 2004 the 92 suite resort has hosted conferences of up to 200 people and special events such as hosting Oprah Winfrey’s guests.

If position counts the resort is well placed, sitting within its very own forty acre rainforest beside Lake Tallow with beach access. With a renowned Spa boasting six treatment rooms and a swathe of celebrity clients, a commitment to serving fresh local produce and a six star conference team, The Byron at Byron can hold its own among the best venues internationally.

But it’s not enough. “Having the perfect setting and service will attract conferences” said Lyn Parché, “but it won’t keep them. What sets us apart is our effort to provide unique experiences, to create a setting that is at the same time conducive to creativity, healing and business”.

Lyn, together with hotelier husband John Parché, have been at the helm of The Byron at Byron since the early design stages of the resort. Their conference team facilitates activities such as surfing, drumming, kayaking, cooking and art classes for meetings and conference groups.

Celebrated artist and motivational speaker Irena Kirpichnikova runs Byron Bay Art Studio and has worked with groups at The Byron at Byron including Caltex, Sanitarium and Mars Australia. “Everyone who participated raved about Irena’s skills in facilitating a group of non-artists and was overwhelmed with their portraits” enthused Simone Gardoni, PA to the General Manager of Sales and Marketing at Sanitarium. “I will be including art in our next conference”.

“Twenty years ago the leisure and conference markets were very different” said Lyn Parché. “Now as people have less time for life outside of work, these markets are merging”.

www.thebyronatbyron.com.au

Downloadable high resolution images:

Photo 1 – Irena Kirpichnikova from the Byron Bay Art Studio
Photo 2 – The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa
Photo 3 – Reception at The Byron at Byron
Photo 4 – Lyn and John Parche, General Managers of The Byron at Byron
Photo 5 – Infinity pool, The Byron at Byron