Capella Sydney shares first birthday joy

 

Source: Capella Sydney. Capella Sydney celebrates its first birthday with an exclusive package that includes a A$365 hotel credit.

In celebration of its first birthday, Capella Sydney is offering an exclusive package which includes a A$365 hotel credit and breakfast for two guests. 

- Full daily breakfast at Brasserie 1930

- Guest-only access to The Living Room, a distinctive feature found in all Capella properties. The Living Room serves as a gathering space where guests can engage in daily Capella rituals and immerse themselves in Sydney’s culture surrounded by a curated collection of historic local artifacts and art.

- Non-alcoholic in-room beverages from the personal bar

- Access to the Fitness Centre and a 20-m indoor heated swimming pool

- Complimentary wireless Internet

A minimum four-night stay is required*, and the hotel credit should be used during the stay.

Originally erected as The Department of Education in 1912 and reborn as the Capella Hotel Group’s inaugural Australian hotel, Capella Sydney blends heritage and contemporary design, world-class accommodation and dining. 

To make a reservation call +61 2 9071 5090 or book online at capellahotels.com/Sydney. 

*The following terms and conditions apply: 

- Rate inclusions are valid for up to two adults only. 

- One-night non-refundable deposit inclusive of taxes is required at time of booking when reserving Prestige Suites. 

- The package is only valid for bookings with a minimum stay of four consecutive nights, and an early departure fee applies for shortened stays. Hotel credit may be applied towards all food and beverage experiences only, including in-room dining and Auriga Spa treatment services. 

- Hotel credit must be redeemed in full during the stay. 

- Applies to all guest rooms, suites and Prestige Suites.

Vivid Sydney begins taking shape two weeks ahead of Lights On

Light installations are beginning to be installed throughout the Harbour City in preparation for the upcoming launch of Vivid Sydney, the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the southern hemisphere.

Source: Vivid Sydney. An artist's impression by Andrew Thomas Huang & Bemo on the Austral Floral Ballet, part of Vivid Light 2019. 

Lights On is scheduled for 24 May on 50+ light features and projections.

“For 23 days, Vivid Sydney transforms the city of Sydney into a mesmerising kaleidoscope of colour with awe-inspiring light sculptures and large-scale projections. It really is a world-class event that has to be seen in person,” Destination NSW CEO and Executive Producer – Vivid Sydney Sandra Chipchase said.

“This year, there are more ways to experience the festival than ever before, whether it’s from the water of our stunning harbour, high above the city or even whirling around on a theme park ride.”

There is still time for visitors to book tick for popular Vivid Music and Vivid Ideas events, and guests are encouraged to explore unique aspects of the festival as well as the famous 3 km Light Walk.

One way to see Vivid Sydney is at restaurants with harbour views. O Bar & Dining is a revolving restaurant that boasts 360-degree views from 47 stories up. Blu Bar on 36 at Shangri-La Sydney has views of the entire harbour, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as does Club InterContinental, the rooftop bar and Executive Club Lounge at the Intercontinental Sydney, available to guests.

The Samsung Electric Playground also offers some of the best vantage points to take in Vivid Sydney. Samsung’s Electric Playground – a technology-enabled playground celebrating light, sound and imagination - and the Samsung Galaxy Studio are  immersive, interactive spaces which use mobile technology to enhance the Vivid Sydney experience.

Several specially curated spots will give visitors an alternate view of Circular Quay, whether from the top of the 6.5 m Infinity Slide or the Samsung Sky Walk.

The Samsung Electric Playground has over 20 Galaxy S10 handsets set up throughout the experience, pre-curated by experts to capture the Vivid Sydney memories – even in super-low light conditions.

Taronga Zoo Sydney has put up safari-style overnight tents, part of the Roar and Snore programme. This allows guests to experience harbour views combined with overnight animal encounters.

Then there are the see-through Igloos on the Pier at Pier One Sydney Harbour. These can be hired for a few hours with catering, or for the night so occupants literally sleep under the stars.

Festival visitors can also catch a Sydney Ferry or go for a Vivid Sydney cruise package such as a two-hour cruise that goes past Fort Denison and includes an aboriginal cultural performance for A$35, or a 90-minute catamaran cruise for A$49.

Sydney HeliTours tours of the harbour are available to get the ultimate views, with the observation deck at Sydney Tower Eye the next best thing.

Visitors can further enjoy Vivid Sydney at Chatswood. There is a Light Bazaar, a Cascading Harp, a six-metre tall sculpture of the world and projections that create an interactive show between shadow and light.

Luna Park comes into its own during Vivid Sydney. The amusement park has a new ride, Volaré. The largest waveswinger in Australia, Volaré is a ride inspired by flying chairs and is lit by thousands of LED lights to complement the festival.

American Express cardmembers can enjoy exclusive access to the American Express Lounge located at the Cruise Bar Rooftop on Level 3 of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, which has uninterrupted views of Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House. Non-cardmembers are welcome after 8 pm, but must register online.

Australian Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said, “Anticipation is building for the 11th annual Vivid Sydney and now there are just two weeks until the magic moment of Lights On."

He added, “The interest in Vivid Sydney has grown at an exponential rate. In 2011 there were less than 500,000 attendees – the NSW Liberal Government has facilitated a 370% rise in visitors to the festival."

Details:

Vivid Sydney will run from 24 May to 15 June throughout Sydney, Australia. Obtain tickets, maps and guides at vividsydney.com

It's Lights On! every night in Sydney for Vivid Sydney

Source: Destination NSW. Vivid Sydney in action.

The lights have been switched on for the 10th Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas. Australia’s largest event transforms the city into a colourful showcase of illumination, sensational sounds and creative thinking.

The Lights On moment, marking the start of the festival, saw all eyes turn to the Sydney Opera House for the Lighting of the Sails, created this year by Australian artist Jonathan Zawada. The performance featured fantastical digital sculptures of everyday objects and natural specimens that evolve, dissolve, and metamorphose.

This year the lights shine bright each night at nine precincts across Sydney including Barangaroo, Chatswood, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Taronga Zoo and for the first time, Luna Park.

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Gladys Berejiklian said at the launch, “It’s always such a great feeling to see the city light up in a spectacular symphony of colour and movement, and we can’t wait to see all the moments that will excite and delight visitors who are coming to enjoy Vivid Sydney’s 10th anniversary celebrations over the next 23 days and nights.”

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said Vivid Sydney was an opportunity to showcase not only Sydney, but the entire state. “Vivid Sydney is more than just a captivating light, music and ideas festival – it drives our economy, attracting hundreds of thousands of overnight visitors to our State,” Marshall said.

“Nearly 38,000 visitors to Vivid Sydney last year chose to extend their stay in NSW and travel beyond the fringes of Sydney, staying more than 94,000 nights and injecting over A$16 million into the State’s regional economy.

“The NSW government has worked hard to ensure NSW is the tourism and events capital of Australia and Vivid Sydney showcases our global city to the world, reinforcing Sydney’s position as the home of creativity, culture and innovation.”

Creative Director for Vivid Sydney Ignatius Jones added, “Vivid Sydney is all about art meeting technology and throwing in a little magic on top of it all to entertain visitors. This year the creative visions of local and international artists have been brought to life as large-scale and interactive installations and projections that transform iconic buildings, landmarks and landscapes; from the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, to the natural canvases at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Darling Harbour. We invite everyone to join our colourful celebration of creativity and community.”

Highlights for this year’s event include:

Light

It’s Lights On at 6 pm each night (5.30 pm at Chatswood and Taronga Zoo), as Sydney’s architecture and open spaces become the canvases for mesmerising art projections and interactive installations.

· Zawada transforms the Sydney Opera House sails into Metamathemagical, a series of kinetic digital sculptures using imagery inspired by the Australian environment.

· For the first time, Vivid Sydney includes Luna Park as a precinct, where grand light show, Spirit of Fun on Coney Island, and the Ferris Wheel will give visitors a front row seat to some of the best views of Sydney Harbour aglow.

· May Gibbs’ beloved characters Snugglepot and Cuddlepie celebrate their 100th anniversary on the façade of Customs House with a joyous adventure through the Australian bush.

· Barangaroo will host a 6 m luminescent creature venturing along the waterfront and interacting with visitors in The Liminal Hour, a theatrical display of light and sound.

· Lights for the Wild returns better than ever at Taronga Zoo, where an adventure through jungle, bush and ocean habitats awaits. New additions join festival favourites, including PJ the 20 metre Port Jackson shark, an epic 9 m goanna, a sea dragon and redback spiders.

Music

The music programme will provide a soundtrack to the festival with a lineup of some of the world’s best local and international contemporary artists taking to stages throughout the city. Highlights include:

· Young Australian singing sensation Ruel, will take to the stage of Sydney’s iconic Metro Theatre for his first-ever solo headline performance on 16 June. This performance is already sold out.

· The soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet will be brought to life when masquerade-ball-rock-show Young Hearts Run Free revs up the Enmore Theatre on 7 June.

· Orange is the New Black’s Big Boo, Lea DeLaria, brings her musical comedy, jazz interpretation show to the City Recital Hall on 9 June as part of the Vivid Jazz series.

· Vivid LIVE takes over the Sydney Opera House again with a celebration of ambitious and innovative contemporary music. The World Heritage-listed stages will welcome international icons like Solange and Ice Cube as well as DREAMS, the electropop collaboration between former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns and Empire of the Sun’s Luke Steele on 29 and 30 May. Californian dream pop cult duo Mazzy Star’s Australian debut from 11-13 June will close out Vivid LIVE with their trademark psychedelic-tinged guitar and charming vocals.

Ideas

Australia’s most thought-provoking conversations are on the agenda with groundbreakers from technology, science, art, design and culture gathering to explore new ideas and cultivate fresh thinking through forums and workshops. James Cameron headlines the programme this year and will speak in front of a sold out crowd. Highlights not to miss include:

· Futurist and game developer, Jane McGonigal and artificial intelligence (AI) expert Kriti Sharma team up on 3 June to discuss what kind of society are we creating with technology as they delve into the latest in AI, virtual reality and gaming.

· Visual strategist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and co-founder of the Museum of Awe, Dan Goods explores the interplay between art and science that has seen his work shown in museums and in outer-space on 3 June.

· Pioneering environmental activists, surfing and skateboarding icon Peggy Oki, and marine biologist and model Laura Wells, will talk on 6 June about protecting the oceans in the war on plastic, and how you can become an agent of change by turning passion into action.

· What will our lives be like when we coexist with digital humans? An expert panel will join a computer generated digital person on stage to examine the ethical and societal implications of life with digital artificial humans in Mummy, can I Marry my Avatar? on 16 June.

The festival is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the New South Wales government’s tourism and major events agency. In 2017 Vivid Sydney attracted a record 2.33 million attendees and injected over A$143 million into NSW’s visitor economy.

Details:

Vivid Sydney runs from 25 May to 16 June 2018. For more festival details check online or download the mobile app on iOS or Android. There is  a new augmented reality experience in the app, including access to a hidden art gallery at Fitzroy Gardens in Kings Cross.

Hashtags: #vividsydney, #vividmusic, #vividideas, #ilovesydney

DHL eCommerce opens Fulfillment Center in Sydney

DHL eCommerce, a division of the logistics company, Deutsche Post DHL Group, has launched of a Fulfillment Center in Sydney, Australia to support booming demand for overseas goods amongst Australia’s online shoppers.

“Australian shoppers are the second-most likely in the world to buy online from overseas merchants*, and the significance of their purchasing power will only increase as cross-border e-commerce grows at an average of 29% per year until 2020^,” said Damien Sheehan, MD, Australia, DHL eCommerce.

“Online retailers need to overcome the traditional problems associated with overseas expansion – finding new suppliers in each market, delivering shipments within days not weeks, and keeping costs in check – if they want to stay competitive in this borderless future.

“The launch of our Australian Fulfillment Center gives our customers immediate access to one of the world’s most mature and fastest growing e-commerce markets, with the scalability and quality needed to reach Australia’s highly savvy online shoppers.”

The Fulfillment Center will provide overseas merchants with fast, flexible shipping that integrates inbound freight, inventory, and last mile delivery in a single consolidated service. The centre also operates using the same service level agreements, management platforms, and customer support as all other parts of DHL eCommerce’s global Fulfillment network, allowing existing customers to expand their sales into Australia with minimal onboarding time and hassle.

“E-commerce has gone borderless, and order fulfilment needs to do the same,” says Charles Brewer, CEO, DHL eCommerce. “Our Australian facility adds another node to our standardised global network of Fulfillment Centers located in US, Mexico, India, Hong Kong and Central Europe, eliminating the need for e-commerce merchants to hunt for new logistics partners as they look to expand their global reach.”

The centre accommodates front-end integration with a range of popular marketplace and web-shop platforms, as well as multichannel order management and last-mile solutions for immediate and highly-accurate deliveries all across Australia. All of the center’s services operate on a pay-per-use model with no capital spend or fixed costs.

“The value of Australian e-commerce sales is expected to grow by nearly 50% between now and 2020, making cost-effectiveness and scalability the critical issues for online retailers in the country,” said Malcolm Monteiro, CEO Asia Pacific, DHL eCommerce.

“Whether it’s extending into new channels, offering more delivery options, or simply increasing inventory and warehouse capacity, global brands need fulfilment solutions that can adapt to their needs without requiring hands-on intervention every time a change occurs.

“Global e-tailers can access our latest fulfillment centre for simplified nationwide inventory and last-mile delivery and also as part of a rapid and painless global expansion.”

*http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161011006722/en/Pitney-Bowes-Survey-Finds-Majority-Global-Consumers
^https://www.accenture.com/t20160830T101949w/cn-en/_acnmedia/PDF-29/Accenture-Cross-Border-Ecommerce.pdf  (PDF)

Etihad to take over partner Virgin's Sydney-Abu Dhabi slots in 2017

Etihad Airways will add three weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Sydney to operate a double-daily schedule from 6 February 2017. The morning departure from Abu Dhabi – EY450 – and the afternoon departure from Sydney – EY451 – will increase from four to seven flights per week.

This enhancement to the airline’s Sydney schedule comes with the move by strategic partner Virgin Australia to shift its Australia to Abu Dhabi operations from Sydney to Perth from 9 June 2017. Expanding the codeshare agreement, Etihad Airways will add its EY code to Virgin Australia’s new three weekly Perth-Abu Dhabi flights. The combined impact of the additional Sydney capacity and new codeshare with Virgin Australia is an increase in the UAE flag carrier’s Australian footprint from a total of 42 to 45 weekly flights.

To maintain schedule continuity, Etihad Airways will operate its three new weekly Sydney services at the same timings as Virgin Australia’s current Sydney-Abu Dhabi flights, on which Etihad Airways has placed its EY code since they began in February 2011. Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Peter Baumgartner, said: “Australia is a critical part of our network, and we will continue to add capacity in order to meet the growing two-way demand for business and leisure travel.

“The allocation of our newest equipment, the A380 and B787, to all four Australian gateways, and investment of our next-generation product and service offering demonstrate our commitment to this highly competitive market.”

Baumgartner added, “From mid-2017, business and leisure travellers on the Perth route will enjoy the convenience of 10 weekly non-stop flights to our Abu Dhabi hub and seamless connectivity to more than 55 cities across Etihad Airways’ global network.”

The additional Sydney flights will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, the aircraft type operating the current EY450/451 pattern. The aircraft is configured with eight seats in First Class, 40 in Business Class and 280 in Economy Class.

Schedule for Abu Dhabi - Sydney, effective 6 February 2017

Flight no.	Origin	Departs	Destination	Arrives	Aircraft
EY454	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	10:15pm	Sydney (SYD)	7:15pm, next day	A380
EY455	Sydney (SYD)	9:50pm	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	5:40am, next day	A380
EY450	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	9:25am	Sydney (SYD)	6:15am, next day1	B777-300ER
EY451	Sydney (SYD)	4:20pm	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	11:55pm	B777-300ER

*All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

Qatar Airways brings the A380 to Australia via Sydney

Source: Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways' A380 aircraft makes its Australian 

debut in Sydney.

Sydney has become Qatar Airways’ first destination in Australia to be served by the A380 aircraft, just six months after the super jumbo craft was introduced to the carrier’s global network.

Following the route’s inauguration with the Boeing 777-300 on 1 March 2016, Qatar Airways has seen a steady growth in demand for its service on this route. The A380 aircraft increases Qatar Airways’ current daily capacity by 44% to meet growing travel and trade demand. The 517-seater offers twin decks in a tri-class configuration of eight seats in First Class, 48 seats in Business Class and 461 in Economy Class.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar Al Baker said: “From the moment we inaugurated service to Sydney earlier this year, we have been welcomed with open arms. Customers flying to and from Sydney appreciate our global route network and our efficient flight schedules, which save them hours of time on the average itinerary. We are pleased to respond in kind, with the introduction of the A380 service to Sydney, offering 517 seats per flight.

“Qatar Airways brings travellers from Australia to more destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa than any other airline serving Australia today. Australia is one of the main hubs of the business world in Asia Pacific, with many passengers flying worldwide for business and leisure. What better way to serve travellers from this key destination than to introduce our iconic A380 to the country, starting with the nation’s biggest hub, Sydney.”

“We’re thrilled that Qatar Airways has upgauged to an A380 within six months of the airline’s launch in Sydney, which is testament to their early success and strong loads,” Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather said.

The A380 aircraft will feature a First Class Cabin with ultra-wide seats, which automatically recline into a flat bed, two-passenger table extension dining, sleeper suits, flight slippers and amenities from Giorgio Armani. Passengers travelling in Qatar Airways’ Business Class can also enjoy private aisle access with the 1-2-1 seat configuration and a suite of connectivity options including on-board Wi-Fi. First and Business Class passengers also have access to an on-board lounge located on the upper deck of the super-jumbo.

Economy Class passengers also benefit with the added spaciousness of the A380, with higher ceilings on the main deck, a wider seat configuration and design to offer more leg room plus contoured headrests.

When transiting through Qatar Airways’ hub, Hamad International Airport in Doha, passengers travelling from Sydney can enjoy a comfortable and efficient transit. The airport has more than 40,000 sq m of retail space and restaurants including more than 70 retail and 30 food and beverage outlets, as well as a 25m swimming pool, gym, hotel and spa.

Interested?

Daily flight schedule:

DOH to SYD on QR908 

Departs 9:40pm, arrives 7:35pm the next day

SYD to DOH on QR909 

Departs 10:25pm, arrives 5:05am the next day

Hyatt Regency returns to Sydney, positions hotel for MICE

Hyatt Hotels announced today that a hotel, located at 161 Sussex Street and previously part of the Four Points by Sheraton brand, will be rebranded to Hyatt Regency Sydney at midnight on November 30, 2016, marking the Hyatt Regency brand’s return to Sydney. The company is positioning the Hyatt Regency Sydney as a preferred venue for conference organisation.

Hyatt Regency Sydney will enter the Australian market during a time of growing demand for business, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) and leisure travel. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the market saw 7.6 million visitor arrivals for the year ending February 2016, which was an increase of 9 percent compared to the previous year.

Said David Udell, Group President – Asia Pacific, Hyatt Hotels: “Hyatt hotels have been operating in Australia for more than 30 years, providing a solid foundation for future growth in what is a dynamic market. This hotel will resonate with business and leisure travellers alike, and furthermore, we believe this hotel will be a leader in providing outstanding exhibition and function spaces so meeting planners can enable attendees to have a great experience.”

Following a US$250 million redevelopment and refurbishment, Hyatt Regency Sydney will enjoy an unparalleled location in the Sydney Central Business District adjacent to Darling Harbour, providing the perfect setting for corporate, leisure and meeting and events programmes. This expansion will also include a new 24-storey tower and 222 additional guestrooms, making Hyatt Regency Sydney the largest upscale, full service hotel in Australia with a total room count of 892. Additionally, the hotel will introduce a 272-seat all day dining restaurant, and will also feature the only hotel rooftop bar in Sydney and a Regency Club lounge with stunning panoramic views of the harbour.

The hotel will feature more than 37,100 sq ft (3,450 sq m) of meeting space for events, including two ballrooms that can seat more than 1,000 people, which will be part of the new pillar-less convention centre with panoramic views of Darling Harbour. There is a four-ton car lift and a four-ton goods lift, as well as a separate coach check-in facility for expedited registration for large groups.

Vivid Sydney brings back the magic from 27 May

• Expansion into Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Taronga Zoo
• Over 80 light installations and projections
• Bjork, New Order and Bon Iver for Vivid Music
• Spike Jonze, Jenji Kohan, Beau Willimon for Vivid Ideas

Source: Vivid Sydney, Destination NSW. Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) - The Matter of Painting – artist impression by Huseyin Sami and Danny Rose.

The longest ever Vivid Sydney will shine for 23 nights when it illuminates Sydney Harbour, new and much-loved precincts, and hosts vibrant music performances and big ideas talks, from 27 May to 18 June 2016. Now in its eighth year, the event is the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas and is owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer, Vivid Sydney, Sandra Chipchase said, "This year Vivid Sydney is back with an incredible programme where art, creativity and innovation meet, and are celebrated by local and international visitors.

"Vivid Sydney delivers the world's leading light artists in Vivid Light, cutting-edge musicians in Vivid Music, and creative innovators in Vivid Ideas. In 2015 the festival attracted a record 1.7 million attendees, and this year visitors to Vivid Sydney will have longer to experience the wonder of Vivid Sydney, and enjoy our biggest year yet."

Source: Vivid Sydney, Destination NSW. Songlines – render impression by Artists in Motion inspired by Artist Karla Dickens.

In a Vivid Sydney first, the sails of the world-heritage listed Sydney Opera House will celebrate the rich and diverse work of Australia's indigenous artists through the projection Songlines. This exceptional work of art is directed by Sydney Opera House Head of Indigenous Programming, Rhoda Roberts of the Bundjalung Nation of NSW, and brings together six indigenous artists whose work illustrates the extraordinary connections between indigenous astronomy and the natural world - the celestial and terrestrial Songlines that weave through time and distance, earth and sky.

Vivid Sydney's brilliant light also returns to Chatswood, Central Park, Darling Harbour and the Australian National Maritime Museum, Martin Place and new precinct The Galeries, which becomes the festival's first indoor precinct. Traditional attractions the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Taronga Zoo will light up during Vivid Sydney in celebration of the monumental anniversaries both celebrate in 2016.

At Garden of Light, visitors will take a glittering journey through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney as part of its 200^th birthday celebrations. Grand installations will dazzle including the 60m Cathedral of Light, made from hundreds of thousands of white LEDs which radiate gentle but brilliant light from all angles.

Taronga Zoo will be illuminated by larger-than-life multimedia sculptures of ten critical species, ranging from the magnificent Asian elephant to the vividly coloured Corroboree frog, encouraging visitors to Be the Light for the Wild in Taronga Zoo's centenary year and beyond.

Vivid Music will pulse through the city with new sounds and venues with highlights including the world premiere of Bjork Digital, a new virtual reality project from the international avant-garde artist and the inaugural Curve Ball - a large-scale live music and art event from Fuzzy Music, both held at Carriageworks.

Vivid Live at the Sydney Opera House will unleash a series of incredible acts including synth-pop legends New Order, indie folk band Bon Iver, jazz artist Esperenza Spalding and the Australian premiere of Anohni's multimedia show.

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music will present The Sound Gardens: Vivid New Music performed by talented students with guest artists Natasha Anderson, Anthony Pateras and Clayton Thomas. Aussie hip-hop will be celebrated at Come Together @ Luna Park and One Day Sundays at The Factory in Marrickville. ARIA Hall of Fame inductees and 80s trailblazers the Models will join fellow chart-toppers the Machinations and a stripped down version of Dave Mason's The Reels to present The Models, Machinations & The Reels for one night only at the Enmore Theatre.

Vivid Music venues joining the lineup in 2016 include Newtown Social Club, brand new venue Cake Wines Cellar Door and returning favourites including Oxford Art Factory, Freda's and The Basement.
At Vivid Ideas, the Game Changers Talk Series will be headlined by storytellers shaping the creative landscape including acclaimed director and producer Spike Jonze, House of Cards creator Beau Willimon, the creative force behind Orange is the New Black Jenji Kohan, and one of Australia's most influential new creatives, Margaret Zhang.

Across the city, creative conferences will dive into the business of innovation and imagination with highlights including The Sunrise which delves into Australia's start-up culture, an exploration of how technology and digital media can shape exciting, liveable cities at the Media Architecture Biennale 2016 and Conscious Change Makers, a dynamic summit exploring the idea that 'good business' is good for everyone.

Interested?

Vivid Sydney runs from 27 May to 18 June 2016.

Vivid Sydney 2016 programme highlights include:

Where	What	When
Sydney Opera  House	Songlines brings together six indigenous artists whose work illustrates the connections    between indigenous astronomy and the natural world - the celestial and terrestrial  songlines  that weave through time and distance, earth and sky.	Nightly  6pm - 11pm
Royal Botanic  Garden  Sydney  (New)	Celebrating its 200th birthday, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney will transform into a  Garden  of Light with 3D-mapped projections and large light installations.	Nightly  6pm - 11pm
Taronga Zoo  (New)	Vivid Sydney's wildest precinct will light up with Be The Light for the Wild to celebrate its  centenary, and raise awareness of special animal species the Zoo is committed to    protecting.	Nightly  5:30pm -  9:30pm
The Galeries  (New)	Perspectives will bring together prominent video artists in the world in an installation  spread  throughout the complex.	Nightly  5:30pm -  11pm
Customs  House	Sydney's Hidden Stories tells the story of an adventurous blue-tongue lizard that spreads a  message of sustainability as he explores incredible landscapes concealed around Vivid  Sydney's home city.	Nightly  6pm - 11pm
Museum of  Contemporary   Art Australia  (MCA,  sandstone  original  building)	Western Sydney Artist Huseyin Sami and French artistic collective Danny Rose collaborate to  present The Matter of Painting, a grand projection which transforms the MCA into a huge,  vibrant canvas that appears to be carved, painted, cut and brushed.	Nightly  6pm - 11pm
Circular Quay  & the Sydney  Harbour  Bridge	Dress Circle takes the interactive lighting of Circular Quay's buildings to a new level with  visitors able to control the lighting of the city panorama, the Cahill Expressway and for the  first time ever, the eastern side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Harbour Lights will return to  light up the waterways with illuminated ferries and boats.	Nightly  6pm - 11pm
Vivid Light  Walk	The Vivid Light Walk, which stretches around Circular Quay to The Rocks and Walsh Bay,  boasts over 60 installations including interactive experiences from rocketships to pinball  games, an illuminated Love-O-Metre and giant installations.	Nightly  6pm - 11pm
Martin Place	Martin Place will again be home to Sydney's most popular food and beverage purveyors, alongside grand, interactive light installations.	Nightly  6pm - 11pm
Darling Harbour	The Laser-Dragon Water-Theatre will wow visitors with four video-projected water-screens, 56 fountains, 22 flame jets and 10 powerful lasers, creating awe-inspiring forms and affects including ferocious dragons and laughing clowns.	Nightly  6pm - 11pm
Australian National Maritime Museum	The journey of Norbert the Nautilus continues with a projection on the rooftop named the Nautilus and the Sea. Characters from the film come to life as giant lanterns in this undersea fantasy.	Nightly  6pm - 11pm
Central Park	X Factory will explore technology and the changing human workplace through a projection on the façade of the heritage-listed Carlton Brewery building. The free Silent Disco will return to this exciting precinct, available to dance-loving visitors every Friday and Saturday evening from 5.30pm.	Nightly 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Chatswood	WILDLIGHT - The Bio-kinetic City, will explore the creatures of Gondwana through a high-tech journey from the Chatswood Interchange to The Concourse.	27 May - 13  June,  Nightly  5:30pm -  10:30pm
Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House	Part of Vivid Music, Vivid LIVE features Anohni (formerly Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons), indie folk band Bon Iver, synth-rock band New Order and jazz artist Esperanza Spalding.	27 May - 13  June
Vivid Music	Vivid Music at venues offering an array of musical genres from R+B to house, retro revival rock, electronica, queer beats, eclectic and hip hop.	27 May - 13  June
Vivid Ideas	The Game Changers talk series with Beau Willimon, Spike Jonze, Jenji Kohan and Margaret Zhang, creative conferences plus the Vivid Ideas Exchange sessions at the MCA.	27 May - 18  June

City of Sydney launches Christmas programme

Source: City of Sydney. Lord Mayor Clover Moore launched the Sydney Christmas programme at Martin Place.

The City of Sydney’s Christmas programme has kicked off. The festivities include decorations, carols, light projections, concerts, Christmas trees and retail programmes.

“We welcome thousands of people from across Sydney to the city centre for our Christmas celebrations each year. With live concerts, colourful projections, great shopping and the opportunity for the kids to meet Santa, there’s plenty for visitors, shoppers and locals to enjoy,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“I invite everyone to embrace the magic of our Sydney Christmas. With sunshine, lively streets and long evenings, it’s the perfect time for exploring our city with family and friends.”

For the first time, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will host a graduation ceremony in Martin Place on 8 December to celebrate the achievements of some of its amazing work dogs. Each graduate dog has spent two years in intensive training to become a full-time guide dog. It costs over A$35,000 to breed, raise and train each graduate – a process entirely funded by the public.

Passers-by will have the opportunity to watch a live guide dog demonstration and have a cuddle with trainee guide puppies.

“Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is extremely grateful to the City of Sydney for selecting our organisation as its charity partner for this year’s Christmas festivities and the opportunity to raise much-needed funds for our important work,” Dr White said.

Sydney Christmas 2015 highlights:

Martin Place Christmas Tree – till 25 December
Visitors to the city centre can jump on the interactive dance pad at the Christmas Tree and text a message using the #sydxmastree for it to appear on the the tree, for everyone to see.

Standing 20 metres tall, Sydney’s Christmas tree is dressed with 60,000 lights, 120 interactive stars, 200 stainless steel baubles and a 1.5-metre star on top.

Christmas projections and illuminations

Light projections will transform the façades of some of Sydney’s most historic buildings in Martin Place and the Street Light Disco banners will bring sparkle to the area throughout the day and night.

Sydney Town Hall will be illuminated with festive colours from 10 December.

Boulevarde of Light

More than 100 living, potted Christmas trees and an overhead canopy of 62,000 lights will create a festive wonderland in Pitt Street Mall. The trees will be auctioned during the week of Christmas with all proceeds going to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.

Village Christmas Concert
The free concerts at Rushcutters Bay (28 November), Rosebery (29 November), Alexandria (5 December) and Surry Hills (6 December) are family-friendly and include live music and fireworks.

Carollers and choirs
Choirs will perform in Pitt Street Mall on Thursday evenings in the lead up to Christmas and each night in December until Christmas Eve at the Martin Place Christmas Tree.

The Christmas at Sydney Town Hall concert on 15 December is a traditional affair of festive music accompanied by the magnificent Grand Organ in Centennial Hall.

Christmas shopping
The City is working with Transport for NSW on the George Street Christmas programme to bring visitors into the city over the festive season. As well as a nine-metre-high Christmas tree on George Street and pop-up stores from local retailers, there are free gift wrapping stations, Wi-Fi zones, live entertainment, fashion parades, face painting and digital photo booths.

Local village retailers are offering unique gifts and bespoke fashion. Shoppers can take part in the Best Shop Window Instagram competition by tagging their favourite local shop window #sydxmas #bestwindow on Instagram for a chance to win a A$2,000 shopping voucher.

Interested?

For the full programme, visit sydneychristmas.com.au

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog posts about the 2015 festive season, including:

Singapore Gift Guide 2015, the pleasure edition
Singapore Gift Guide 2015, the tech edition

Who in APAC will be spending the most online, according to the Adobe Digital Index
How Facebook sees mobile redefining the season

Hong Kong's Winter Wonderland experience

Sofitel So Singapore's French fusion Christmas menu
The launch of Casa Ferrero, Ferrero Rocher's popup store
House of Sillage launches the Holiday by House of Sillage fragrance

Hashtag: #bestwindow, #sydxmas, #sydxmastree

Visit Vivid Sydney to experience the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas

Source: Vivid Sydney/Destination NSW.

Vivid Sydney, the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas will light up the Harbour City all the way to 8 June. The festival welcomed 1.43 million people last year.

"For 18 days and nights visitors will experience Sydney like never before as the city bursts with creativity and sheer, brilliant light. It's truly an un-missable event, and one which we are very proud of," said NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres. 

Sydney's iconic landmarks, its Harbour and urban spaces have all been transformed by 3D projections and over 60 light installations, including the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House.

Vivid Light stretches across The Rocks, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Walsh Bay, Martin Place in the Central Business District, The Star & Pyrmont as well as new areas for Vivid in 2015 - Central Park in Chippendale, awarded the world's best tall building, and Chatswood to the city's north.

Lighting artists from around the world were invited to submit their creative ideas, with 140 chosen from 16 countries to create works during Vivid Sydney.

The Vivid Music programme of cutting edge music including Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House showcases unique performances and collaborations, presenting over 90 performances in venues across the city including Grace Jones, Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Johns and Australia's own The Hoodoo Gurus.

Vivid Ideas brings audiences some of the most intelligent and creative minds, who will be together for talks, seminars, conferences, workshops and forums on a grand scale. With 150 sessions and over 400 speakers, the Vivid Ideas programme boasts highlights such as multi-Emmy-winning writer Matthew Weiner -- series creator and exec producer of Mad Men and former executive producer of The Sopranos, who will share insights following his worldwide success in the creative industry.

"Each and every year, Vivid Sydney aims to connect and inspire people in a shared, vibrant, multi-coloured experience. Vivid Sydney puts art into the hands of the public, giving visitors a visually triumphant feast of artistic and technical innovation," said Sandra Chipchase, Chief Executive Office of Destination NSW, the State Government's tourism and major events agency, which owns and manages Vivid Sydney.

Some Vivid Sydney picks:

Source: Vivid Sydney/
Destination NSW.

The famous Sydney Opera House will once again transform the sails into a colourful living mural with help from UK company Universal Everything. Harbour Lights will see a fleet of boats change colours as they ferry through the waterways, and Paint The Town will let visitors take control of the city's skyline and illuminate it in a rainbow of bright lights.

Visit the Argyle Cut to hear from Sir David Attenborough

Get lost in the magic of Mother Nature and hear a few words from Sir David Attenborough at The Argyle Cut from 7pm each week night, and 6pm on weekends. Life Story is based on four years of footage that was captured for BBC's Life Story TV series and will bring The Argyle Cut to life with flowing natural imagery of birds, marine and animal life.

Hug a three-metre crocheted Dolly

Visit Dolly for a Vivid Sydney hug, and take a photo with the Sydney Opera House in the background (hashtag #ilovesydney).

Martin Place hang-out

Spend some time in Martin Place to see light installations like Robotanic, Spectra and Drum Circle. Take on friends with Intel's "a game of drones" before heading to Transcendence, an incredible construction that boasts Intel Real Sense technology, live art projections and some of Sydney's best food offerings including Porteno, Thievery, Agape Organic, Cantina Mobil and the Cow and the Moon.

Chatswood and Sydney University

Vivid Sydney has expanded in 2015 so be sure to get to Chatswood to learn the underwater aquatic story of Norbert and The Nautilus and visit the Cabana Bar and 4 Pines Rooftop Bar at Night Markets at The Concourse for refreshments.

The University of Sydney's Vivid Path to the Future programme kicks off from Monday 25 May. Think awe-inspiring building projections and a jam-packed music programme at the Seymour Centre.

Selfie lovers delight

Chat with roaming Canon ambassadors along the Circular Quay Light Walk who will give tips on how to take the perfect shot of Vivid Sydney, whether it's on a smartphone or SLR. Then head to the You Are Here installation to master the perfect selfie with the Sydney Opera House as the background.

For gamers and YouTube fans 

The first ever event of its kind in Australia, Game I ON is worth a visit for anyone who is into gaming, social media, YouTube, vlogging and creating or developing. Some of YouTube's biggest stars including fouseyTUBE, Jayesslee and The Royal Stampede will share their digital secrets at the Australian Technology Park till 24 May.

Interested?

Get the full Vivid Sydney programme

Five-star hotel to serve Sydney airport

Australia’s largest hotel operator, Accor, has announced that they will be part of a new mixed-use hotel, commercial and retail precinct to be developed in Mascot, near Sydney Airport.

Accor has signed a management agreement with Goodman to manage a 5-star hotel to be badged Pullman Sydney Airport as part of a new A$100 million development project that will encompass office and retail facilities. Pullman is the largest network of upscale hotels in the Asia Pacific, with more than 45 hotels across the region and counting.

Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath, said Accor is an airport hotel specialist at a time when airports are no longer delivering transport alone. "The Sydney hotel market has been considerably constrained over the last two years with occupancies idling between 80-90%, hence the urgency for new inventory to service the high corporate and leisure demand in the city. Pullman Sydney Airport will not only add 229 rooms to Sydney’s bourgeoning tourism economy but it will be the first internationally branded 5-star hotel serving the international airport precinct," he said.

Goodman’s General Manager Australia, Jason Little, said: “The new mixed-use precinct provides the highest and best use for this prominent South Sydney site and complements the Development Act (DA) approved future development of two commercial office buildings, totalling 34,350 sq m, together with ground floor retail space.”

Pullman Sydney Airport will include conference facilities as well as an Executive Lounge, a quiet space for guests to do business or relax.

Construction of the hotel development on O’Riordan Street, Mascot started in November and the Pullman Sydney Airport is expected to open in May 2016.

Etihad launches Sydney First & Business Class Lounge

Source: Etihad.

Etihad Airways has officially opened its First and Business Class Lounge at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport – the airline’s first in Australia and the newest addition to its collection of premium lounges worldwide.

Located in the international terminal’s Pier C, adjacent to Gate 51, the new lounge offers guests a relaxing environment with quality furnishings and a contemporary design inspired by Etihad Airways flagship lounges in Abu Dhabi.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, who was in Sydney for the ribbon-cutting ceremony said: “It’s all about offering an experience in the lounge that not only sets the tone for but is also consistent with the flight experience ahead. I’m confident the wonderful team of hospitality professionals we have in our Sydney lounge, together with our check-in staff and guest service agents, will ensure we deliver on that promise.”

Set over two natural light-filled levels and an area of 792 sq m, the Sydney lounge offers business amenities with Macintosh computers; complimentary Wi-Fi; multi-zone electrical and USB power outlets; dedicated male, female and accessible bathrooms with shower facilities; male and female prayer rooms; and armchairs in the relaxation zone.

Lounge guests will also be treated to Etihad Airways signature food and beverage service with a choice of restaurant-style a la carte dining and a sumptuous buffet.

The Sydney lounge is open to Etihad Airways Diamond First Class and Pearl Business Class guests and qualifying members of the Etihad Guest loyalty programme. Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold and Platinum members and Virgin Australia Business Class guests flying to Abu Dhabi are eligible to access the lounge pre-flight. Qualifying guests of other codeshare and partner airlines may also use the lounge when flying on Etihad Airways or Virgin Australia operated Sydney-Abu Dhabi services.

The new First and Business Class Lounge in Sydney complements premium lounge facilities in Abu Dhabi, Dublin, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Manchester, Paris and Washington DC. New lounges are planned for Los Angeles, New York (JFK) and Melbourne over the next 12 to 18 months.

Etihad Airways commenced services to Sydney in March 2007 and today offers twice daily non-stop flights together in partnership with Virgin Australia. The route is served by a mixed fleet of three-class Airbus A340-600 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The Sydney route will be among the first in the Etihad Airways network to experience The Residence by Etihad - the world’s most luxurious living space in the air – when the UAE flag carrier commences scheduled A380 services to Sydney in June 2015.

Etihad shares initial destinations for Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner craft

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the first destinations for its first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. 

Source: Etihad. The Boeing 787-9.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline’s first A380 will fly to London's Heathrow from December 2014, while a second A380 will operate on the same route from Q1 2015. By the end of 2015, Etihad Airways will have five of the same aircraft in operation, with plans to also introduce A380 operations to both Sydney and New York's JFK.

The first Etihad Airways B787-9 will enter commercial service in December 2014, with a second aircraft entering service in January 2015. As with the A380, by the end of 2015, Etihad Airways will have five of this type of aircraft in operation. The first B787s will initially be deployed on Washington DC, Düsseldorf and Mumbai, with further route announcements to follow.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The A380 will be used to provide additional seats on existing routes where there is a need for increased capacity, and in particular, high demand for First and Business Class travel.”

Etihad Airways has a total of 10 A380s on firm order. Four A380s will arrive in 2015, three in 2016 and two in 2017.

Each aircraft is designed to carry 498 guests in four living spaces on the aircraft. This includes two VIP guests in The Residence by Etihad, nine guests in the innovative First Class Apartments, 70 guests in the new Business Class Studios, and 417 guests in Economy Class.
 
Baumgartner added: “We are the fastest growing airline in commercial aviation, and by unveiling our plans for this magnificent aircraft and setting new benchmarks in onboard product, service, hospitality and style, we have redefined what flying is all about.”

Etihad Airways also has major plans for the B787 which enters the fleet in Q4 2014.

In December the mostly composite aircraft will be deployed first on routes between Abu Dhabi and Düsseldorf, and services to Washington DC and Mumbai will commence in January 2015. Services to other cities will be confirmed in 2015 as more B787s enter the fleet.

The airline has a total of 71 B787s scheduled for delivery between the end of 2014 and 2023, including 41 B787-9s and 30 B787-10s, making it the largest operator of the aircraft type in the world.

Two B787s are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2014 with three due to arrive in 2015, three in 2016 and nine in 2017. All five initial B787 deliveries will have three living spaces aboard the aircraft, configured to carry 235 guests.

There are eight First Suites in First Class, 28 Business Studios in Business Class and 199 Economy Smart Seats in Economy Class.
 
“Over the coming years this next-generation aircraft will be used by Etihad Airways to launch flights to new destinations, add capacity in existing markets and progressively replace existing, less-efficient aircraft,” said Baumgartner. 

Some of the initial Etihad Airways A380 and B787 flights may be booked online at etihad.com, through the Etihad Airways contact centre, or via travel agents.

Learn more about Wireshark from the original author of the source code

Riverbed Technology, which provides application performance infrastructure, will host a “Troubleshooting with Wireshark” Virtual World Tour with Gerald Combs, Director of open source projects at Riverbed, and the original author of the Wireshark source code, and Laura Chappell, Wireshark expert, educator and author. 

Wireshark sees more than 500,000 downloads per month. A Facebook page lists more than 13,000 likes. Created by Gerald Combs under the original name Ethereal, Wireshark is maintained today by a dedicated group of core developers and sponsored by Riverbed through its 2010 acquisition of CACE Technologies. As the sponsor, Riverbed is committed to maintaining the strong, independent, community-driven nature of Wireshark.

The tour will present the latest Wireshark tips and tricks to audiences in Dubai, Singapore and Sydney among other cities on using the free network analyzer solution to quickly detect network and application delays and errors. The tour is open to anyone interested in Wireshark, including users and developers, network and application engineers, network analysts, protocol analysts, software developers, software engineers and IT professionals. 

Guests are welcome to attend a presentation in one of six time zones over the course of three days. Registration is available here. Dates and times for the sessions in Asia Pacific and the Middle East are:

 

• February 26, 10:00 a.m. in Dubai (GST)
• February 28, 10:00 a.m. in Singapore (SGT)
• February 28, 10:00 a.m. in Sydney (AEDT)

Topics to be covered during the one-hour live sessions include:

·         How to use Wireshark to quickly detect network and application delays and errors

·         How to customise Wireshark for faster problem identification

·         Identifying network problems 

The Virtual World Tour coincides with the release of Laura Chappell’s newest book in the Wireshark Solution Series, Troubleshooting with Wireshark: Locate the Source of Performance Problems. This new 408-page book provides instruction on how to use Wireshark to identify the key causes of poor network performance, is now available in paperback and Kindle format. 

Autograph Collection set to debut in Australia

Australia-based businesses have a new venue for exclusive events. The Autograph Collection, an exclusive portfolio of hotels, is introducing Pier One Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia as part of its portfolio of nearly 60 hotels worldwide. The hotel offers a stunning harbourside backdrop for meetings and special events, including eight meeting rooms that have floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing water views.

Source: Marriott International. From Sydney to San Diego - Autograph Collection set to debut in three new world class destinations, including Pier One Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia. (PRNewsFoto/Marriott International)

Each Autograph Collection hotel has been chosen for its quality, originality, bold character and capacity to offer today's modern traveller a range of unique experiences. Representing Autograph Collection's debut in Australia, Pier One Sydney Harbour offers an exclusive waterfront experience in the heart of one of the world's most glamorous destinations. Guests can arrive by water taxi or by yacht via the hotel's private pontoon, which provides direct water access to nearby attractions including the Opera House, Manly and Darling Harbour.

Nestled alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge with panoramic views, the hotel offers easy access to the heart of the Central Business District, The Rocks and popular tourist destinations including Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, Martin Place and the Castlereagh Street shopping strip. 

The hotel has 189 guest rooms, including 18 suites. To celebrate its inauguration into Autograph Collection and for a limited time, the hotel is offering guests who stay two nights or more a complimentary upgrade to a water view suite with breakfast for two and double Marriott Rewards points.