SOPBiz #1-March 07

Member Profile-Ken Packham

Ken Packham from Boulevard News and Gifts in the Novotel Hotel is a Sydney Olympic Park local in the true sense of the word.

Not only is Boulevard News and Gifts the founding retail member of SOPBA, but he and his wife live in the area as well.

"It really is the centre of all places north, south east and west." says Ken.

Boulevard News opened in 2000 amidst all the excitement of the Olympic Games. His family was running it at the time as Ken still had the newsagency in Macquarie Shopping Centre, a business he operated until 2004 when he sold after 17 years and came across to 'retire' at Sydney Olympic Park.

"What has changed in the area is that it is definitely better known know. Conferencing has lifted immensely in the area and there is significantly more international tourists around the precinct."

However Ken's business is driven by hotel occupancy and prides himself on having something for everybody. His stock ranges from newspapers to thongs and a lot of products in between.

"It's interesting to note the differing purchasing patterns of the football code supporters who stay in the hotel when there is a big game on. said Ken.

"Without a doubt, the Wallaby supporters are the biggest spenders. They tend to forget more items which results in them coming to my shop, but they also buy more gifts when they're there."

Aussie Rules supporters are the next biggest spenders with football (soccer) and Rugby League, third and forth respectively.

Boulevard News and Gifts is open 7am to 5.30pm Monday to Sunday. His shop is located off the reception area in the foyer of the Novotel Hotel.

New Face on SOPBA Board

As previous General Manager of the first hotel in history to be built as part of an Olympic site, Mark Ronfeldt has had extensive experience in managing large events in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct including hosting the high-profile World Trade Organisation meeting.

Mark is now based full time at Accors Darling Harbour Hotels, where, as well as managing the three properties in Darling Harbour, he also holds the position of Regional General Manager-NSW/ACT.

He liaises regularly with business leaders and members of the community and has been instrumental in making the Novotel and Hotel Ibis Sydney Olympic Park two of the most successful hotels in the Accor network.

The presence of the Novotel and Hotel Ibis in the precinct and their effectiveness in attracting large-scale events, conferences and exhibitions to the site has helped make Sydney Olympic Park one of the most important event destinations in New South Wales.

Mark has more than 19 years experience as a general manager of hotels, managing all facets of hotel operations including hotel development, staff management, marketing, financial control and event management.

As Regional General Manager for Accor Hotels NSW & ACT, Mark is responsible for the overall management of the following hotels:

- Accors Darling Harbour Hotels - Novotel, Ibis & Grand Mercure Apartments
- The Menzies Sydney - An Accor Hotel
- Mercure Sydney
- Mercure Ultimo
- Manly Pacific - Managed by Accor
- Novotel Brighton Beach
- Mercure Sydney Airport
- Hotel Ibis Sydney Airport
- Novotel Northbeach, Wollongong
- Hotel Ibis Wollongong
- Novotel Canberra
- Novotel, Sydney Olympic Park
- Hotel Ibis, Sydney Olympic Park
- Mercure Hotel Parramatta
- Hotel Ibis, Thornleigh
- Hotel Ibis, Newcastle.

Introducing Lorraine Mecuri

As the new Area General Manager for Accors Greater Sydney Hotels, Lorraine is responsible for the management of the Novotel Hotel & Hotel Ibis at Sydney Olympic Park, the Mercure Parramatta and the construction & implementation phase of the much anticipated Sofitel Sydney Olympic Park.

With over 15 years industry experience with Accor, Lorraine has held a number of senior positions, most recently that of General Manager of Novotel Canberra, leading the hotel to new heights of business level & profitability through operational development, asset management, marketing & financial controls.

Previous to this, Lorraine was in charge of the operations of Accors Darling Harbour Hotels and was an instrumental part of the Wentworth Sydneys take over team-since rebranded the Sofitel Wentworth. No stranger to Sydney Olympic Park, Lorraine was in charge of operations here in 2001 when she spearheaded the Environmental Management System.

In addition to this, Lorraine has also championed Quality Assurance and Yield Management projects within the Accor group. Lorraine looks forward to developing strong park partner relationships.

Star spotting at SOP

The U2 concert at Telstra Stadium last November brought together a range of sporting personalities,united in their admiration for the classic Irish Rock group.

Adam Scott, the worlds no. 4 ranked golfer, was in Sydney for the Australian Open and squeezed in a night out seeing the Irish rockers.

The English cricket team had just opened their Ashes tour with a one-day game against the Prime Ministers XI in Canberra.

On returning to Sydney ahead of a tour match against NSW, a group of players made their way to Telstra Stadium.

Anthony Mundine was a special guest at a charity function for the Steve Waugh Foundation, while other sporting celebrities at the U2 concerts were former Wallaby Simon Poidevin and Nine Network league analyst and former star player Peter Sterling.

And the celebrity ranks included Olivia Newton-John, Megan Gale, John Newcombe and a cavalcade of personalities.

Proving once again that U2 lives up to the bands billing as the worlds premier rock bands.

Caption:
World no. 4 golfer Adam Scott with Telstra Stadium CEO Ken Edwards

FROM THE BOARD ROOM

February Board Meeting Update

Lifestyle Club- Discussions are well underway between SOPBA and SOPA with regards a proposed 'Lifestyle Club' for employees of businesses based at Sydney Olympic Park.

Updated Traffic Management Plan- David Young from SOPA has developed an updated Traffic Management plan following a number of issues that arose with concurrent events in the park in January at the Tennis centre, Acer Arena and Telstra Stadium. Details of this plan will be on the SOPBA website shortly.

Private Hospital - SOPA will soon announce plans for the new Private Hospital specialising in sporting injuries to be built on the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Sarah Durack Avenue. Construction is due to start at the end of 2007 following all planning approvals.

Master Plan - SOPA has submitted the Master Plan to the Department of Planning. No approvals, however, are likely before the elections.

Eat Street and Yulang Pub- There is an agreed design for this development which entails a reconfiguration of Overflow Park.

Commonwealth Bank - All is proceeding well with the first stage of the CBA's developments at SOP with 700 staff expected on site in September.

Blaxland Riverside Park - This exciting new development is officially opened on 3 March.

Quad 4 - Quad 4 is nearing completion with 80% of the building due to be leased by May and 100% by the end of 2007. A child care facility will operate in the building.

NSW GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

New Major Events Corporation for NSW.

On Tuesday 20 February , NSW Premier Morris Iemma, announced a sweeping revamp of Major Events and Tourism in NSW and the appointment of one of Australias most successful sporting administrators to help NSW win more big name events.

'It is time to rev up our performance on attracting major events to NSW,' Mr Iemma said.

'That is why I am so pleased to announce that the former Chief Executive of the Australian Rugby Union and Football Federation Australia, Mr John ONeill, has accepted my invitation to lead the establishment of a new Major Events Corporation for NSW.'

Mr ONeill has also agreed to spearhead a comprehensive review of tourism in NSW and a specific review aimed to fast-track convention and exhibition centre upgrades for Sydney.
( Extract from release which appears in the 'News' section of the SOPBA website)

Reactions to the announcement from both SOPBA and SOPA

'SOPBA welcomes this announcement and the financial involvement of SOPA which should positively impact on attracting new sporting and entertainment events, along with more conventions and exhibitions to the site. We will keep members informed of all developments regarding this revitalized body and opportunities for SOPBA members.'

David Humphreys - President SOPBA

'I am very encouraged by the Premier's announcement and the increased recognition being given to the economic benefits of major events and the exhibition/conference market.

Sydney Olympic Park is the countrys premier destination for major sporting, entertainment, business and cultural events, hosting more than 1500 events in 2006 that attracted over 4.5 million people. I'm sure all of the Park's venues look forward to working with John ONeill and the Government to bring more events to NSW and to Sydney Olympic Park.'

Brian Newman - CEO Sydney Olympic Park Authority

AND A WORD FROM SOPA

Sydney Olympic Park Event Traffic & Traffic Issues - Update

The Future

Sydney Olympic Park is progressively becoming a more challenging place to operate, as the scale of visitation and complexity site activity grows.

Rapid increases in site visitation and general development activity at the site has recently occurred and projections for significant future growth as follows is expected in the future:

1. more complex venue event and day to day operations-[more major events and multi-venue events [from less than 200 major event days p.a. to more than 250 p.a.];
2. more annual visitors [over 8M visitors p.a. now -increasing to > 10M p.a.];
3. increased day population [day population now 4,000 per day- increasing to 30,000 plus per day];
4. increased cars parked on-site [parking 1.5M cars p.a. now -increasing to 2.5M p.a.]; and
5. increased precinct car trips [over 5M vehicle trips p.a. now -increasing to > 20M p.a.].

Management Strategies

SOPA has reviewed the established management strategies for dealing with place management operations and is progressively introducing the following revised directions over the next few months:

> commencing a new Duty Manager Roster (i.e. a SOPA Place Manager on duty on-site) from March 2007 for all major event days rather than only stadium events as per previous practice;

> revising the various trigger points that invoke the different venue event support actions-particularly (for example) opening SOPOC more frequently and providing shuttle bus services at a lower threshold;

> pursuing Government for more local & regional road network connection and functional upgrades;

> installing traffic lights at Australia Ave & Herb Elliot Ave by July / August 2007; and designing others for implementation over the next couple of years;

> introducing more carpark initiatives-such as recent examples of: new exit from P4 direct to M4 Up-ramp; express exit from top levels of P1; improved ticket machine numbers; better information about parking payment options; etc

> checking and improving pedestrian way-finding between venues and car parks; fixing gaps in the traffic way-finding network and improving sign visibility where site distances are becoming obscured and introducing more map signs where a deficiency is identified.

> Introducing more and more effective messaging for car parking with regards to pre-pay options when on-site;

> having more visitor services staff on the ground when required;

> better staffing of car parks during peak egress periods and/ or when pre-pay levels are low;

> further encouraging use of public transport as a means of routine travel to Sydney Olympic Park;

> endeavouring to obtain more complete and more timely information regarding events and major activity from some Venues and in future commercial premises;

> promoting better venue event coordination - to avoid unnecessary peak access and egress traffic and crowd issues;

Important Note

Regardless of any efforts by SOPA or Venues, if the regional road network is significantly congested for any reason not related to Sydney Olympic Park, then nothing SOPA does within Sydney Olympic Park with or without RTA support for traffic light control or intersection enhancements, will prevent major traffic queuing into, within, or exiting from Sydney Olympic Park.

Further Information

If any further information on any matter included in this note is required then inquiries should be directed to David Young directly on 9714 7250 or e-mail david.young@sopa.nsw.gov.au

David Young
Executive Director, Place Management