Best Western Australasia recently held its annual member convention at Best Western Premier Sunset Road Kuta in Bali and the event has been labelled one of the best yet.
Over 150 hotel members, suppliers and sponsors attended five days of industry presentations, networking events and a full day of leisure on day three.
In attendance with the Best Western International (BWI) Board of Directors, BWI Chief Executive Officer David Kong praised Best Western Australasia as one of the most successful affiliates leading the brand worldwide.
“It is a tremendous achievement to see 76 of our members receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence this year,” he said.
“I congratulate all of you, and give special mention to our six TripAdvisor Hall of Fame properties who were recognised in Australia and New Zealand.”
A high point of the convention was the first offsite dinner: a six course feast on the sands of Karma Beach Bali.
Presentation highlights on day two included Telstra’s Michael Ossipoff, Concept Amenities’ CEO Michael Matulick and comedian Marty Fields who topped off an enjoyable afternoon of networking during a four-course lunch at Mozaic Beachclub Restaurant.
On the final day, a Q&A forum with Expedia’s Ben Charlton and Best Western International’s Wes McKeage delved into the future of online travel agents and attracting direct channel bookings for hotels.
“Travel and tourism is back,” Resort Brokers’ National Sales Manager Trudy Crooks revealed during an industry panel moderated by the Accommodation Association of Australia’s Richard Munro. She highlighted CBD locations as the most attractive areas for property buyers and new development.
Australian motivational speaker and former Australian Executive Woman of the Year, Catherine DeVrye earned a standing ovation with her inspirational story on defying the odds, achieving work-life balance and business success.
On the final evening, twelve recipients of Best Western’s Awards for Excellence were announced during a stunning five-course gala dinner at The Trans Luxury Hotel. A silent auction raised over $10,600 for Best Western’s latest charity sponsorship of an Indigenous Warlpiri community in Central Australia. The two-year project was announced in partnership with World Vision Australia on the night.
The Awards for Excellence recipients were:
Best Western Rewards Champion: BEST WESTERN PLUS Ballarat Suites (Ballarat, VIC)
Best Property Staff Member: Cheryl Longmuir, BEST WESTERN Olde Maritime Motor Inn (Warrnambool, VIC)
Highest Quality Assurance Score: BEST WESTERN PLUS All Settlers Motor Inn (Tamworth, NSW)
Highest Customer Care Score: BEST WESTERN Werribee Park (Werribee, VIC)
Sales and Marketing Champion: BEST WESTERN Goulburn (Goulburn, NSW)
Most improvements and upgrades: BEST WESTERN Goulburn (Goulburn, NSW)
Best Apartment Style Property: BEST WESTERN Torbay Sea View Holiday Apartments (Torbay, WA)
Best PLUS Property: BEST WESTERN PLUS Hovell Tree Inn (Albury, NSW)
Best 3.5 Star Property: BEST WESTERN Balmoral Motor Inn (Glenorchy, TAS)
Best 4 Star Property: BEST WESTERN PLUS Ballarat Suites (Ballarat, VIC)
Best 4.5-5 Star Property: BEST WESTERN PREMIER Terrace Hotel (Perth, WA)
President’s Award: Gerald Loughran, Director, BWA Board of Directors
Ian Sandilands, Best Western Australasia’s President said: “A concentrated focus on quality and the guest experience is paying dividends for both our member properties and the Best Western brand. I’m honoured to present this year’s awards to our hotels which have performed above and beyond in every facet of their business and customer care.”
The Best Western Australasia Convention ran from 15 – 19 August.