Australasian Worldwide Music Expo a Sounding Board for Music Industry

The Victorian Coalition Government today announced $30,000 funding to support tourism marketing of the 2012 Australasian Worldwide Music Expo (AWME).

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said the Expo contributes to the state's dynamic live music scene by combining both industry-focused initiatives and a diverse public showcase program.

"The AWME is regarded as the southern hemisphere's premier music industry conference and reinforces Victoria's international music credentials," Ms Asher said.

Now in its fifth year, the AWME provides a platform for local, interstate and international artists of indigenous, folk, roots and world music to showcase their talents at a variety of venues across Melbourne.

"The AWME delivers economic benefits with industry delegates and music lovers staying in our hotels during a time of year when traditionally hotel room occupancy is not at full capacity," Ms Asher said.

The 2012 AWME will be held in Melbourne at a variety of venues including the Arts Centre Melbourne, the HiFi and The Toff in Town from 15 to 18 November 2012.

Australasian Worldwide Music Expo a Sounding Board for Music Industry

The Victorian Coalition Government today announced $30,000 funding to support tourism marketing of the 2012 Australasian Worldwide Music Expo (AWME).

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said the Expo contributes to the state's dynamic live music scene by combining both industry-focused initiatives and a diverse public showcase program.

"The AWME is regarded as the southern hemisphere's premier music industry conference and reinforces Victoria's international music credentials," Ms Asher said.

Now in its fifth year, the AWME provides a platform for local, interstate and international artists of indigenous, folk, roots and world music to showcase their talents at a variety of venues across Melbourne.

"The AWME delivers economic benefits with industry delegates and music lovers staying in our hotels during a time of year when traditionally hotel room occupancy is not at full capacity," Ms Asher said.

The 2012 AWME will be held in Melbourne at a variety of venues including the Arts Centre Melbourne, the HiFi and The Toff in Town from 15 to 18 November 2012.

Melbourne Festival Receives Tourism Funding Boost

The Victorian Government announced $75,000 in tourism marketing funding for this year's Melbourne Festival.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said the funding was provided through the Tourism Victoria Events Program following last year's record attendance at the Melbourne Festival.

"The Melbourne Festival successfully showcases Melbourne's broad arts and cultural tourism appeal. It also closely aligns with the Government's highly successful Play Melbourne tourism campaign which encourages people to awaken their curiosity and explore ever-changing Melbourne on a whim," Ms Asher said.

Member for Caulfield David Southwick said the Melbourne Festival was one of the country's flagship arts festivals, strengthening Melbourne's position as the cultural capital of Australia.

The 2012 Festival has also received more than $6.4 million in funding from Arts Victoria as part of a triennial agreement. The 2012 Melbourne International Festival will be held from 11 to 27 October at various venues throughout Melbourne. The program will be announced later this year.

One Year To Go Until The Next Epic British & Irish Lions Versus Australia Clash

Melbourne will be awash with red when the British & Irish Lions rugby fans come to town in exactly 12 months as part of the Lions’s 2013 Australian tour. The Lions are drawn from the best players in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and tour Australia just once every 12 years.

To date more than 15,000 British & Irish Lions supporters have subscribed to travelling to Australia for next year’s tour, and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said that would represent a great tourism outcome for Victoria.

“The tour is part of the Victorian Government’s rugby union events package with Australian Rugby Union and will provide a good economic benefit to Victoria,” Ms Asher said.

The tour kicks off with the Melbourne Rebels vs British & Irish Lions tour match at AAMI Park on 25 June 2013. This is followed by the Qantas Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions Test Match on Saturday 29 June 2013 at Etihad Stadium. The test match is the second of a three-match series. Australian Rugby Union will announce details of ticket sales for the matches in coming weeks.

The 2013 matches will provide excitement for local rugby fans, contributing to Melbourne’s most-liveable lifestyle, and provide significant branding opportunities with a world-wide audience. The city is expected to be inundated with fans from across Australia.

If you are a big Rugby fan and will be in Melbourne for these two great matches why not book your accommodation at Metro Apartments on Bank Place Melbourne www.metrohotels.com.au

Top Five Golden Rules for Female Travellers

Top five Golden rules for female travellers

With 45 percent of woman making up the corporate travel market, International SOS has identified five golden rules to help woman keep safe when travelling for business.

Rule number one: Know Yourself 

Understanding your profile and how that profile may be perceived when you travel is vital. Key areas to consider include your physical appearance, travel experience, personality type and budget.

Rule number two: Do your research

Don’t assume, do your research before you travel and know the geography of the city you are visiting, plus be aware of any cultural differences.

Rule number three: Don’t be an easy target

Plan your flights so you arrive in the daytime especially if you are planning to catch a taxi and always use official taxis.

Rule number four: Be assertive

Be confident as appearing unfamiliar can make you a potential target.  Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t.

Rule number five: Stay calm in a crisis

Statistics have proven that woman are more prone to harassment, assault and hand bag theft therefore it important to know how to respond in a crisis.  Being prepared is key to reducing risk while on business travel

Maroon 5 Announces Whirlwind Aussie Tour - Melbourne

Maroon 5 are returning to Australia for a whirlwind tour later this year.

The three time Grammy-winning band will play in Sydney and Melbourne in October for two exclusive shows, Mushroom Group Promotions announced on Sunday.

Joining Maroon 5 for the two shows will be Australia-based band Evermore and Las Vegas three-piece The Cab.

Maroon 5's popularity has grown since their last Australian tour thanks to lead singer Adam Levines' role on the American version of The Voice, alongside Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green.

The band's latest hits include Payphone (featuring American rapper Wiz Khalifa) and Moves Like Jagger (featuring Aguilera), which saw the band nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and win the 2012 Peoples Choice Award for Favourite Band.

Tickets go on sale for Frontier Members on Wednesday, June 27. General public tickets go on sale on Tuesday the third of July, from 9am local time.

TOUR DATES

October 12 - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne.

George Michael Symphonica Tour - Australia 2012

AFTER HIS 2010 SOLD OUT TOUR, GEORGE MICHAEL RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA AS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE!

George Michael triumphantly returns to Australia in November and December 2012, with his Symphonica Tour

The multi-million selling artist is back in good health and fighting fit after a battle with pneumonia at the end of last year, which unfortunately led to his ‘Symphonica’ tour being postponed. George Michael is now preparing to return to the big stage later this year with rescheduled and newly added tour dates in Europe, the UK and Australia.

Before its unexpected hiatus, Symphonica, played to packed houses in Europe and fulfilled George's long-cherished artistic ambition of performing alongside a full orchestra. On the tour George will perform a carefully chosen selection of his own material spanning his remarkable career; and he will also cover some of his favourite songs from other artists.

On Symphonica, the music has been re-worked and re-arranged for a large scale orchestra, which will accompany George and his band throughout the tour. This brand new symphonic production has given each song added layers and fresh nuance. It's unmistakeably George Michael, but not as we've ever known him.

With an unparalleled voice, a large-scale orchestra and a tantalising promise to include songs never previously performed live, Symphonica is a magical experience awaiting singer and audience alike...

TOUR DATES*:

Wed 21 & 22 Nov - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

*Ticketek is selling for the above venues only.