Shows
The Conference Shop and All the GossThe Conference Shop 2025 Recap: Trends, Wins & LessonsFrom last-minute briefs to record-breaking conferences, 2025 has been a year of growth, surprises, and a few unforgettable stories.In this special season wrap-up, Carla sits down with venue sourcing specialists Mary Jane (MJ) and Denielle to talk about what really happened behind the scenes — the trends that defined the year, the destinations that stole the spotlight, and the moments that reminded us why we love the events industry.They share what’s changed in client behaviour, why timing matters more than ever, and how The Conference Shop continues to help planners cut through the noise.
2025-11-1719 min
The Conference Shop and All the GossInside Accor’s M&E Portfolio: Elliott Miller on Venues, Loyalty & TrendsWith 25 years in hospitality — from cooking school in London to sales leadership across Asia-Pacific — Elliott Miller has seen every side of the industry. Now as Director of Sales for Meetings & Events, Entertainment, Sport and Groups, Pacific at Accor, he oversees one of the largest and most diverse hotel portfolios in the region.In this episode, Elliott and Carla dive into: ▪️ Accor’s standout venues for meetings and events — from Manly Pacific MGallery to Novotel Sunshine Coast ▪️ Exciting new openings and refurbishments, including Mondrian Gold Coast, 25Hours Sydney and Sofitel Wentworth Sydney ▪️ Why loyalty programs...
2025-09-0118 min
The Conference Shop and All the GossGlobal Growth & Game-Changing Venues: Dean Jones on IHG’s Next Big MovesDean Jones, Vice President of Commercial for East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts, oversees one of IHG’s most dynamic markets.In this episode, Dean Jones shares:▪️ The openings and refurbishments shaping IHG’s portfolio in 2025 — including Voco Gosford & Regent Melbourne ▪️ Why IHG’s “culture of firsts” matters for planners▪️ How their Meeting for Good program makes sustainable events easy▪️ The industry trends smart planners are acting on now🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to you by The Conference Shop — a free venue finding service helping busy EAs and plan...
2025-08-1220 min
The Conference Shop and All the GossFrom QT Rooftops to Regional Giants: Kate Cooper on EVT’s Venue Power PlaysKate Cooper, Group Account Director – MICE at EVT Hotels & Resorts, joins Carla to unpack one of the most diverse hotel portfolios in the country. From five-star QT rooftops and reimagined Rydges properties to regional standouts like Rydges Hunter Valley, Kate shares what planners should know, what’s changing in 2025, and how EVT helps you do more with one point of contact.We talk standout venues, flexible service, and the behind-the-scenes magic it takes to pull off large-scale events.📩 Got an event brief? Let us do the legwork: enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au
2025-08-0520 min
The Conference Shop and All the GossInside Hyatt’s Global MICE Strategy: Omar Herrera on Openings, Upscale Brands & One-Stop PlanningOmar Herrera leads Meetings & Events sales for Hyatt across Australia and New Zealand — representing 30+ brands and 1,400+ hotels globally.In this episode, Omar and Carla cover: ▪️ Hyatt’s expansion in the upscale and lifestyle market ▪️ New openings like Hyatt House South Melbourne & Caption by Hyatt Sydney ▪️ What sets Hyatt apart when it comes to global event planning ▪️ Emerging trends for 2025 — and why planners are leaning local in APAC🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to you by The Conference Shop — a free venue finding service helping busy EAs and planne...
2025-07-2913 min
The Conference Shop and All the GossOne Point of Contact, 70+ Venues: Cristina Guevara on the Power of Simplicity and ServiceCristina Guevara is a dynamic sales leader with 20+ years in hospitality — and in this episode, she shares what it’s really like leading business event partnerships across TFE Hotels’ 70+ properties in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.You’ll hear: ✔️ Cristina’s take on 2025 trends (from sustainability to smarter budgets) ✔️ New openings like The Eve Hotel Sydney and Adina Town Hall ✔️ What planners often overlook when sourcing multi-city roadshows ✔️ And a name tag fail that required serious team heroics (and a lot of pens)🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to yo...
2025-07-1713 min
The Conference Shop and All the GossOne Point of Contact, 70+ Venues: Cristina Guevara on the Power of Simplicity and ServiceCristina Guevara is a dynamic sales leader with 20+ years in hospitality — and in this episode, she shares what it’s really like leading business event partnerships across TFE Hotels’ 70+ properties in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.You’ll hear: ✔️ Cristina’s take on 2025 trends (from sustainability to smarter budgets) ✔️ New openings like The Eve Hotel Sydney and Adina Town Hall ✔️ What planners often overlook when sourcing multi-city roadshows ✔️ And a name tag fail that required serious team heroics (and a lot of pens)🎧 The Conference Shop and All the Goss is brought to yo...
2025-07-1513 min
The Conference Shop and All the GossBig Portfolios, Big Plans: Regional Retreats, New Openings & Event Insights with Ben GreenwoodCarla is joined by Ben Greenwood, Director of MICE for Minor Hotels Australia & New Zealand — leading strategy and sales across a portfolio of 13+ meetings and events properties across the region.From 600-person gala dinners to a new five-star NH Collection hotel coming to Sydney, Ben shares: ✔️ What’s new across Minor’s portfolio (including Cypress Lakes and Elysia) ✔️ Why regional venues are winning in 2025 ✔️ And what really happens behind the scenes of a multi-week corporate eventIf you’re planning a conference, offsite or incentive program — and want the inside edge on which v...
2025-07-0822 min
The Conference Shop and All the GossBeyond the Brochure: Curated Events, Coastal Retreats & High-End Goss with Morag RitchieMorag Ritchie knows a thing or two about premium event spaces — she heads up Sales for Salter Brothers Hospitality, overseeing 20 luxury resorts and retreats across Australia and New Zealand.In this episode, she joins Carla to talk:What sets a luxury venue apart (hint: it's not just the decor)Behind-the-scenes access to exciting refurbishments at Milton Park and LilianfelsHow her team curates standout conference experiences with serious attention to detailAnd that nightmare famil moment she somehow pulled off like a proIt’s a conversation packed with practical insights, destination intel, and a few stories plan...
2025-07-0724 min
events insiderEp#8 | Finding the perfect event venue with Carla OffordYour venue is such a big part of your event and heavily impacts the guest experience and your budget. It can also be super time consuming to find the perfect venue.
Today I'm joined by Carla Offord who is a venue sourcing specialist and the Founder & CEO of The Conference Shop. In this episode we cover:
Getting clear on your venue brief
The balance and importance of a good venue with a great team behind it
Red flags when venue searching
Negotiating on price
New & exciting venues coming to Australia
Carla has over 25 years of ex...
2023-06-1224 min
Talking Business with Alan KohlerCarla Offord CEO of The Conference ShopCarla's business is known as a venue finder. Big businesses go to her to find out where they should host their events, conference, meetings. The website covers venues and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE). The regional conferencing solution allows conference organisers to select a region and add suppliers they like to a wish list before receiving all the suppliers' details in a checklist format in their inbox. Organisers then contact each supplier directly, maintaining control of their event at all times. The streamlining saves an estimated 10 to 15 hours of planning and research. She is from NSW’s Southern Hig...
2020-04-0611 min