Councillor Helen Abrahams to Retire

Councillor Helen Abrahams has announced that she will not stand for re-election for The Gabba Ward, Brisbane City Council, in the 2016 election.

Cr Abrahams was elected as a Brisbane City Council Alderman in 1991 and during this time has been well known for her focus on the environment and sustainable development.

Cr Abrahams will remain Councillor until the council election on March 19, 2016.

BSB would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Cr Abrahams for her dedication and commitment to South Brisbane and West End.

Queens Wharf Development

In mid-July the Queensland State Government announced Destination Brisbane Consortium (DBC) as the preferred tenderer for the Queens Wharf site.

DBC partners include Echo Entertainment Group, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium. The development will be an integrated resort and entertainment precinct which includes restaurants, hotels, casino, public spaces, retail, conventions spaces, as well as a pedestrian bridge to South Bank landing at the Forecourt.

There will be five hotel brands, including the world renowned Ritz-Carlton and Rosewood brands plus the introduction of Brisbane’s first six star hotel included within the site. 

An option is also provided within the masterplan to deliver a new 1,500-1,600 seat lyric theatre attached to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. DBC also has a strategic partnership with TAFE Queensland to develop a new Hotel & Hospitality School.

The project is set to commence construction in 2017 and complete in 2022.

Click here to learn more.

Regional Flavours dubbed the most exciting free food event in Australia!

The seventh annual Regional Flavours Presented by The Courier-Mail was the most successful yet, with more than 80,000 people flocking to South Bank across the two days.

Event goers embraced the free entertainment on offer with headline talent alone (including Matt Preston, Miguel Maestre and Adriano Zumbo) enjoying crowds of almost 1000 people each. Another standout venue was the Epicurious Garden, which attracted more than 500 people at Paul West’s demonstrations.

Food vendors and stallholders also welcomed bumper sales; five stallholders sold out by 3pm on Sunday afternoon; many had to dash back to their home regions on Saturday night to collect extra stock to meet demand; and the Zumbo pop-up stall sold more than 5000 macarons.

As reported in The Courier-Mail, MasterChef's Matt Preston said Regional Flavours was "the most exciting free [food] event in Australia."

Professional Development Session - "How to Stay LinkedIn"

Business South Bank’s next Professional Development session will be held in partnership with hub4101 and presented by Mark Cusack from Focused Marketing. 

Most of us have a LinkedIn account, but do we really know its full B2B potential? And do we know about the B2B opportunities of other social media platforms?

Mark will discuss the risks and rewards of using channels such as LinkedIn to elevate the profile of your business.

When: Tuesday 18 August 2015
Time: 12pm for a 12.15pm start (finishes 1.15pm)
Venue: 70 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
Cost: $25 per person (Platinum members 8 FOC)
Registrations close 5pm Thursday 13 August 2015

Click here to register

CitySmart Leader's Lunch

How will technology change the way we build cities and improve liveability?

Find out at this year’s CitySmart Leader’s Lunch on Monday 17 August on the topic of Smart Sustainable Cities. The event will host some of the best and brightest minds in sustainability, combining insights from international experts with local business and networking opportunities.

Leading this discussion is international guest speaker Gordon Feller - one of Silicon Valley's thought leaders and a Director of Cisco Systems.

Spaces are limited. More info here.

Hansel & Gretel - Annual opera from Queensland Conservatorium

Be lured by the famous fairy-tale adventure of Hansel & Gretel as opera students of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University bring this musical treasure to life on stage.

Under the direction of international conductor Johannes Fritzsch and playwright and director Michael Gow, the production will take a new direction for the much-loved story, stepping away from the traditional gingerbread theme.

Sung in English, the production will showcase the outstanding talent of the QCGU’s opera school and orchestral instrumentalists in four not-to-be-missed performances for all ages.

Sunday 16 August, 3.00pm
Tuesday 18 August, 6.30pm
Thursday 20 August, 7.30pm
Friday 21 August, 7.30pm

Venue: Queensland Conservatorium Theatre
           140 Grey Street, South Bank

Click here for more information and to book tickets.

Win Tickets to 'The Photograph and Australia' exhibition, thanks to QAGOMA!!!

From mass media’s evolution in the 19th century to today’s digital revolution, discover the story of Australia through the lens. Explore Australia’s rich photographic history and see how our view of the world, ourselves and each other has been changed by the advent of photography. On display are over 650 works by renowned artists, as well as images by unknown photographers and everyday material such as family albums and postcards.

QAGOMA and Business South Bank are giving away 2 double passes to experience ‘The Photograph and Australia.’

Simply email your name and company to admin@businesssouthbank.com.au for your chance to win!

Five free consultations at Conrad Gargett

Conrad Gargett is offering ADVANTAGE Card holders five free one hour consultations by appointment only.

Limit of one offer per business subject to availability.

To view more BSB Member Advantage Offers, click here.

The Sebel, South Brisbane

Name and position?
Mayoor N Thakeria

Tell us about your business?
We are an awards winning 4.5 *(sr) boutique, large, luxurious & fully self-contained & furnished apartments property dedicated to short term stay.

What is your role at your organisation?
General Manager / Chef-De-Mission.

What are your key skills and responsibilities?
As captain, to keep the wheels of Economy moving smoothly & in the right direction.
To keep the Guests, Staff & the Bank happy.

How many people work at your business?
Terrific Ten

What is your favourite place in the precinct? 
Southbank Parklands.

What do you want BSB members to know about you or your business?
We belong to a rare category, as business pax i.e “D.O2 “(Develop, Own & Operate). Hence the passion & vision can be found in everything we do & every corner of our business.

We opened, our ambitious project in October 2011 with the strong belief in South Brisbane being the future economic power house of our gorgeous city Brisbane. Power to 4101!

What is something people wouldn’t know about your business?
The Sebel, South Brisbane (formerly Sudima Suites) is not strata-titled & individual apartments are not sold to various owners & the management rights are not sold either.

As we hold the property in one line, the consistency of Guest Experience is constant throughout the property, with European furnishing, fittings & appliances eg. we are not a mix of owner occupiers, long term rentals, student accommodation & short term stayers with a body corporate.

We have arguably the best 360 Skydeck in Brisbane with views of Mt Warning, NSW Border to the CBD & The Story Bridge, Mt Cootha to the Gateway Bridge. We top that with a 365 night’s LED light show!

So come over this Friday night 31st July to view the rare Blue Full Moon.

Businesses, should also know that our room rates include 10% GST unlike many strata-titled apartments buildings.

What has recently happened at your organisation?
We have joined the Accor Hotels group, this year as their upscale brand, The Sebel, South Brisbane.

We are the first Accor property on the South side of the mighty Brisbane River.

What have you learnt lately?
“We can’t be 100% perfect, 100% of the time but by oath, we need to continue to try 100% of the time to be 100% perfect, 100% of the time."

What do you hope to achieve in your industry?
To build & own more Hotels as “Home away from Homes” for the travelling populous.

What inspires you?
Life inspires me, to do justice for my being here.
Inspiration is everywhere — from the words of my favourite writer’s to the Sun, blooms and leaves on my morning walk.

What are your words of wisdom?
Passion + Perseverance + Patience = Prosperity.
With indulgence,
When all around you is Bravado, be Cautious & when all around you is fear, Be Brave!