Welcome to our weekly wrap-up of MICE News, which covers meetings, incentives, conferences, and events across Australia and around the world. If you are in the MICE industry, this is what you need to know as our writers stay on top of the latest developments.
If you have any MICE news, please send it to kate@travelmonitor.com.au
Saltbox reveals new event spaces, brings wow factor to Wunderlich Lane
Saltbox, Sydney’s newest destination for elevated events, has opened the doors of its architecturally striking home within the vibrant new lifestyle precinct, Wunderlich Lane, with a standout calendar of corporate and social experiences that herald an exciting new era for the city’s event scene. Designed by renowned architects Bates Smart, Saltbox is the exclusive, dedicated event venue at Wunderlich Lane on the cusp of Surry Hills and Redfern, and is located just metres from luxury destination, The EVE Hotel.
The sculpted and sophisticated setting is also the first sole-operated location from legendary catering company Cook & Waiter, which is celebrating 10 years in operation and catering to some of Australia’s highest profile brands, as well as corporate and private clients, under the creative direction of owner, David O’Brien. Saltbox quietly opened in May with a high-profile, multi-day event for a luxury fashion client. The venue is heavily booked throughout June and July and already has a busy schedule of End-Of-Financial-Year and festive events, as well as Spring and Summer weddings.
A luxe, ground-floor entrance in the heart of this charming inner-city lifestyle precinct makes a lasting first impression. Saltbox’s welcome is warmly immersive – with burnished tones, a soft palette, and dramatic copper ceiling pendants guiding guests up a graceful curved stairway. At the top, three versatile and inviting event spaces await – elegantly understated yet undeniably compelling. Together, they create an intimate, connected energy that elevates every occasion.
Horizontal Festival set to redefine Australia’s festival experience
Australia’s festival landscape is about to be transformed with the launch of the Horizontal Festival, set to debut at Centennial Vineyards in the picturesque Southern Highlands on 4-5 October 2025. Proudly sponsored by Destination NSW, the festival is positioned to become a major annual highlight on the state’s cultural calendar.
Horizontal Festival is not just another food and wine event. It is an immersive journey, placing the customer experience at its heart by blending the best of NSW’s food, wine, music, and art in creatively curated spaces. Festival-goers will enjoy varietal-led wine tastings, exceptional local cuisine, live music performances and art installations—all designed to foster meaningful connections between producers, visitors and industry.
Vivid Sydney calls for creatives as 2026 dates confirmed
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, is calling on visionary artists, performers and thinkers from across the globe to help shape its 2026 program. Returning from Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June 2026, Vivid Sydney will once again transform the Harbour City across the pillars of Light, Music, Ideas and Food—inviting audiences to immerse themselves in cutting-edge creativity and bold storytelling.
Preliminary estimates for Vivid Sydney 2025, suggest the event pushed total visitation since the festival’s inception in 2009 beyond 25 million people, with more than $1.3 billion generated in visitor expenditure over its lifetime. To learn more or submit an Expression of Interest, visit: www.vividsydney.com
Amora Hotel Brisbane blends wellness with EOFY incentive for MICE Market
Amora Hotel Brisbane is offering an End of Financial Year (EOFY) special offer designed to capitalise on the MICE market’s increasing appetite for venues with wellness-focussed facilities. Gearing-up for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games – now a little more than 2500 days away – Amora Hotel Brisbane underwent a $30 million transformation completed at the end of 2023, with a key priority being to support the rising wellness MICE market.
Amora Hotel Brisbane’s EOFY special offer aligns with the global ‘bleisure’ trend, seeing 65 per cent of business travellers extending work trips with wellness or leisure. According to a recent survey by the Global Business Travel Association, bleisure is a trend showing no signs of slowing down.
Monaco for MICE – Your VIP update in just 30 minutes
From glamorous venues to world-class service, Monaco continues to raise the bar for business events. With the Monaco Express Update, we invite MICE professionals to book a personalised 30-minute session with Claire, your dedicated Visit Monaco Convention Bureau representative for Australia and New Zealand.
Discover the latest on Monaco’s exceptional conference facilities, incentive experiences, sustainable event solutions, and VIP offerings tailored to your clients’ needs. Whether you are planning a high-end incentive or an international congress, Claire is here to help you unlock Monaco’s full potential for your next event. Book your one-on-one update today: Click HERE to choose a time that suits you, or reach out directly at claire@tourismgarden.com.au.
Tickets on sale for the 2025 Sydney Boat Show
Tickets for the 2025 Sydney Boat Show, which will take place from 14 to 17 August 2025 at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park are now on sale. General admission tickets are $19 (plus booking fee) and are now available for purchase. Children under 16 enter free when accompanied by a paying adult. Early bird tickets, purchased before 31 July, will also go into the draw to win $5,000 in ‘Boat Show Dollars’ to spend with an exhibitor at the Show.
Getting to the Sydney Boat Show is easy, whether via road or public transport. Sydney Olympic Park is well-connected by major roads and public transport options, offering more than 10,000 nearby parking spaces, including two hour free parking for short visits. Trains run regularly to Olympic Park Station, with additional bus and ferry services also available. For those travelling from out of town, Sydney Airport is just 20 minutes away by car via the new WestConnex link, making the journey even more convenient.
