The Venue Zone Blog

What’s not to love about Adelaide at Fringe time.  From  late February through to mid March, Adelaide is the jewel in the crown of Australian capital cities where entertainment is concerned.  Conference centres in Adelaide are right in the thick of it as the city swells with the throng of revel makers looking to party. Artists from around Australia and across the globe entertain with all manner of art forms spanning cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, film, theatre, puppetry, music, visual art and design.

Adelaide Fringe literally takes over the city with 800 events staged in fittingly creative venues.  Everything from  parks, warehouses, lane-ways and empty buildings to the more  conventional spaces  such as theatres, hotels, art galleries, cafes and town halls are required to house such unique talent.

With over 100,000 tickets sold already for the performances of 3000 plus artists, 2012 is looking to be the biggest and boldest yet.  Certainly worth making a call to Adelaide conference centres in the hope that there might be ‘ room in the Inn’ for a few more celebration seekers.

As can be expected from the city renowned for its artistic flair,  Adelaide boasts a  broad range of New Year Eve events to see in 2012.  Here is a cross section of celebration ideas suggested by conference centres in Adelaide:

SUMMADAYZE ADELAIDE 2012 LINE-UP!

The Summadayze festival in Adelaide moves back in time but only by a few hours.  The festival is being moved from New Year’s Day to New Year’s Eve but one thing remains the same – it will feature a huge line-up of club and hip hop stars.  So come join us in welcoming in the New Year.  Check this out for an awesome line-up:

• Pendulum
• Moby DJ Set
• Bliss N Eso
• Grandmaster Flash
• Markus Schulz
• Seth Troxler
• Sasha
• In Flagranti
• Spank Rock

The biggest New Year’s Eve party in Adelaide for many years kicks off at 2pm at the very central Rymill Park located on the fringe of the city centre.

Where – Rymill Park

Time – from 2pm.

Cost - $139.85

LIVE LARGE AT ADELAIDE CASINO

Check out some of the biggest names in showbiz – or at least their look-a-likes – at the Adelaide Casino. This is one of the city’s largest free public events so expect a fantastic crowd and an atmosphere to match.

With the ever­-charismatic Hans as your host, the evening is bound to be a resounding success as you join the celebration and dance the new year in, to the sounds of Gaga Magic, Britney Spears ‘Showtime’, the Australian KISS Show, Frank Bennett and the gone but not forgotten Amy Winehouse and  ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson.

Diva drag queens will rove the  various floors staging impromptu performances throughout  the Casino. Partygoers are advised to get to the Casino early to avoid any queues as this pumping venue is expected to be a popular spot to see in 2012.

Where: Adelaide Casino, cnr North Tce and Station Rd, Adelaide

Time: 5pm onwards

Cost: Free entry

TWO FIREWORKS SPECTACULARS IN ELDER PARK

Farewell the old and welcome the new year with an explosive display of light and colour.  Nothing says celebration like fireworks and this year the Adelaide City Council is out to delight us with its largest pyrotechnics show on record boasting more than 7000 fireworks , as well as an energising and diverse range of entertainment to suit all tastes and ages.

Kicking off from 7pm, the new look cosmopolitan event offers everything from amusement rides and local acts for children including favourites ‘The Fairies’ through to Bollywood dancers and Japanese drumming, giving people a fresh and vibrant option to welcome 2012. With support from premium partners Business SA and KPMG, the council has put together a unique and imaginative program with broad appeal and upbeat, energetic entertainment ,  stretching throughout the evening.

With the family in mind, fireworks will light up the night at 9pm for the early revellers and then again at midnight , the award-winning Foti International  Fireworks will engage late night merry makers with a second spectacular round of pyrotechnics. Multi-talented performer DJ Tr!p will keep the crowd grooving  with his amazing ability to match the midnight display with a soundtrack mixed especially for the night .

Lucky Seven, Adelaide’s hottest swing band, is sure to inspire a celebratory atmosphere as they get the night started with their mix of jazz, roots, rockabilly and rock n’ roll and the Atlantic Street Band will no doubt keep the vibe flowing with their own jazz inspired grooves with a modern twist.

The  thrilling Matsuri Taiko Japanese drumming group will ramp up the energy another notch and the senses will be further heightened with colour and spectacle in performances by Bollywood dancers Fusion Beats and Brazilian dancers Las Chicas Bomba.

The historic Rotunda will be the focal point for live entertainment and will be featured in a new light this year.  Also for the first time, this event will be licensed in the later part of the evening allowing  for the audience to further relax with a glass of beer or wine as they await the new year.

New Year’s Eve in Elder Park is Adelaide’s must-see event  but capacity is limited so be sure to get there early!

Where -  Elder Park, Pinky Flat and the Riverbank precinct

Time – 8pm

ADELAIDE AIRPORT NEW YEAR EVE AT THE BAY

The family friendly New Year’s Eve event at Glenelg, will feature 2 fireworks displays, the first at 9:30pm and then another another at Midnight. Close-by Brighton  will also offer a fireworks display at 9:30pm.  Favourite childrens entertainer, Peter Coombe and the Bellyflop In A Pizza Band are sure to delight the younger crowd, with a host of performers such as Acoustic Juice and roving entertainers keeping us amused until the fireworks.  So join the excitement at Adelaide’s premium beach suburb on what is forecast to be a balmy Summer evening.  Enjoy a walk along the water edge before settling on a spot to absorb the celebratory atmosphere and kaleidoscope of colour as the fireworks light up the night sky and welcome in 2012.

Where: Glenelg Foreshore

Time: 7pm

Adelaide Conference Centres would like to wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to being of service to you in 2012.

The city of Adelaide is perfectly located in one of the most picturesque settings in Australia. Stretching from pristine beaches to peaceful foothills and the fertile Fleurieu Peninsula to Mount Lofty Ranges, it is an idyllic destination for your next corporate event.  Conference centres in Adelaide will be happy to share details of the city’s many delights and why it continues to rank highly as a livable city, according to the Top 10 in The Economist’s World’s Most Livable Cities index.

Colonel William Light, one of Adelaide’s founding fathers designed the city in an ‘easy to navigate’ grid layout, with wide boulevards and large public squares. It is completely surrounded by beautiful parklands and The River Torrens meanders through the city and continues out through the suburbs. With extensive walking and bike tracks, the river offers a wonderful opportunity to unwind and enjoy some fresh air whilst taking in the sites. The cultural boulevard of North Terrace boarders the Adelaide CBD on the River Torrens side and many of the city’s historic stately buildings can be found along its length. The Festival Centre which sits on the banks of the Torrens, Parliament House, The State Art Gallery, The State Library, Royal Adelaide Hospital and the beautiful Botanic Gardens as well as the ultra modern National Wine Centre of Australia are all here. North Terrace offers the densest population of accommodation rooms and conferencing spaces in all of Adelaide, Many 5 star brands are represented here, as well as a small mixture of mid range hotels and apartment style accommodation. Though the majority of the accommodation is found on North Terrace,  there are several great accommodation and conferencing options nestled within the grids of the CBD – to the East is some of the newer accommodation options in Adelaide, while to the west are several mid to high range venues that have been successful in supporting this city and its conferencing needs for many years. If something a little quieter is more your style, then South Terrace may suit your needs perfectly. With beautiful parklands as your outlook, this side of town offers several 4 – 4.5 star accommodation with mid range conferencing facilities – being on this side of town also has the added advantage of accessible (and often free) car parking. The CBD offers excellent dining experiences with Adelaide enjoying a ‘foodies’ reputation. Whatever the cuisine or style, you will be sure to find it in Adelaide – particularly as you move toward  renowned “Gouger” St with its eclectic mix of China Town, The Central Markets, gorgeous tapas Bars, and Grungy wine bars. Conference venues in Adelaide keep abreast of the current local trends and look forward to sharing their knowledge with you.

Situated north of the River Torrens and within the Adelaide Parklands lies the inner suburb of North Adelaide. This stylish, well established suburb boasts many heritage listed buildings, including a spectacular old church which sits on a rise overlooking the city. O’Connell Street in North Adelaide is a popular strip for its many great restaurants and the suburb as a whole, has an up-market sophisticated feel to it. Accommodation and conferencing here is perfect for small to mid range requirements, with 4 star hotels and apartments and boutique venues dotted throughout this area.

Only 15 minutes by tram from the city centre, is the seaside suburb of Glenelg. With a relaxed, holiday feel and white sandy beaches, Glenelg maintains its ‘favourite spot’ billing amongst locals and accounts for the great accommodation available here. One of the largest “all in one” conferencing and accommodation venues sits proudly on the waterfront – catering for in excess of 1000 People for a cocktail function – its an Adelaide Icon, and a favourite amongst event organisers. To support this growing area – Glenelg now has some great “apartment style” accommodation available along the foreshore. This area is a great option if you are wanting to treat your delegates with something a little extra.

Adelaide is noted for its long restful beachfronts and extensive parklands, its artistic culture, fabulous local food and wine produce and a temperate climate, ideal for enjoying the many outdoor festivals and activities that abound in this life-affirming city. If you are looking for a destination that will leave your delegates relaxed and refreshed, contact an Adelaide conference centre today.

The South Australian Tourism industry is a vibrant and thriving industry thanks to the state’s many natural attractions and the welcoming city of Adelaide which proudly extends an invitation to sample the city’s many treasures, both natural and man-made. Conference centres in Adelaide pride themselves on a comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge of the many options available to you when endeavoring to tailor the perfect conference package for your delegates. The following is a brief overview of activities available to give you an idea of the diversity on offer if you choose an Adelaide conference venue for your next event.
The Mall’s Balls – Two large stainless steel spheres balancing one on top of the other. The local meeting place and quite a talking point in the heart of the city. Wander up Rundle Street and experience some of the delightfully fresh cuisine and nationally recognised restaurants that have contributed to Adelaide’s `foodie’ reputation. Don’t forget to include a trip to the famous Adelaide Central Markets and a visit to Maggie Beer’s farm for the ultimate food experiences.
Savour some wine – locally at the National Wine Centre which represents the 53 wine growing regions in Australia or further a field on a tour of Barossa, the Adelaide Hills or McLarenVale – think Coonawarra, Wolf Blass – the names are impressive or maybe discover your own favourite at a small boutique cellar along the way.
The Giant Panda’s – Wang Wang and Fooni (first and only in the southern hemisphere) at the world class Adelaide Zoo
Haigh’s Chocolate Factory- exquisite indulgence and an Adelaide institution. Take a tour and enjoy the free sampling.
Ride Popeye – the ferry can transport you along the River Torrens to the zoo or for a picnic at the lush Elder Park. Why not then swap modes of transport and hire a paddle boat for a leisurely ride on the river or a free pushbike to take in the sights of this beautiful city.
Nature Lovers – can experience genuine interactive wildlife attractions such as the acclaimed Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary, the protected habitat for 100 species of birds and many mammals or Cleland Wildlife Park, the winner three years running of “Significant Tourist Attractions where you can hold a koala, roam with some of the biggest kangaroos in Australia or watch the Bilby’s emerging from their burrows.  The beautiful Morialta Falls also makes for a great day spent relaxing and reconnecting with nature.
Penguin Spotting or Whale Watching – Victor Harbour on the Fleurieu Peninsular is an old whaling town so watch out for whales in the winter months. Walk across the causeway at night to Granite Island and pay a visit to the noisy resident penguin colony.
Get your cultural fix – with a drive to Hahndorf in the picturesque Adelaide Hills for a wonderful day of all things German and call in at Beerenberg Farm on your way home – you can hand pick your own strawberries, or buy some of the acclaimed jams, mustards and sauces. You could also visit Tandanya in the Adelaide CBD for a nationally recognised and informative display of aboriginal art and history.
Don’t forget the Beach - Glenelg is only a 15 minute tram ride and this seaside suburb bubbles with atmosphere and celebration of the good life.
World class festivals feature heavily in the artistic city of Adelaide. Be sure to consult  an Adelaide conference centre about the timetable of these events as their inclusion into your itinerary would go a long way to insuring your conference is a standout success.

With Adelaide’s reputation for culinary excellence, award winning vineyards, cultural/artistic interests and many festivals, no one would suspect that it is also one of the most affordable cities to host your next conference. Conference venues in Adelaide will treat your guests to something special without blowing the budget.