Tech Early Adopters Expo in Sydney

From the 5^th - 7^th May, CeBIT’s global business technology event takes place at Sydney Olympic Park. If you think Silicon Valley is still the mecca of all things hardware, software and Bitcoin…then think again. As the Valley loses its heavy weight status from not innovating against the curve, other countries are now brilliantly paving the way for technology break throughs - Sydney included.

CeBIT attracts over 20,000 visitors with the country’s top 200 companies and 6,000 business leaders. It’s not on CES’s mega level but there are an impressive 450 exhibitors (30% international) and attendees from over 30 countries.  Are you a true entrepreneur, even in the making? Then you can brain storm and chat with around 200 innovators at this event.

Even though the keynotes and panelists are primarily headlined from the US, the core focus is on Australian tech pioneers.  From Google X to RedBalloon and Open Stack to AOL, hear how they’ve paved the way for you to now take the entrepreneurial baton and launch or scale your business.

Some of the themes for this year include mobile, automation industry, cloud and digital/social engagement. With major companies experiencing hacking that’s compromised consumer privacy, cyber security is also at the forefront of a theme discussion. Maybe you’re a B2B company, looking to work with the government? These movers & shakers will be attending in full force so this is your time to fine tune that 1 minute elevator pitch. They have major IT budgets and your start up could be exactly who they’re looking to partner with or acquire.

Check the full schedule including the 7^th May ‘Internet of Things’ line up. The words ‘disruptor,’ ‘game changer’ and ‘thought leaders’ are constantly incorrectly, over used. But by attending this full day of panels and Q&A sessions, you can start to fine tune your ideas and see if it is unique, your business model is viable and how you can develop your innovation. You’ll be too busy networking to be focusing on buzzwords, right?

This event attracts many guests to our boutique Sydney hotel so remember to book your room quickly at Cremorne Point Manor.  If you’re on a tighter budget yet want to stay nearby, check our sister hotel for availability: Glenferrie Lodge. Both hotels are not far from the venue so enjoy winding down after a long few days and reset your genius-entrepreneurial creativity.

Vivid Technology Meets Entrepreneurs

If you’re heading to Sydney between 22 May and 8 June and you’re a budding entrepreneur, bursting with innovation, then you must check out Vivid Sydney 2015 Ideas. The REMIX event also takes place between 2-3 June, a global summer for creative industries exploring the glue that drives culture, technology and entrepreneurship.  Discussing big ideas, this event has been coined the ‘TED for the arts.’  Back and left brain thinking will be the attributes for the 2 day event so get your inner genius thinking-cap on. 

 

For Vivid Technology, the schedule on 24 May starts with the Story of the Light – The Astronomer’s Perspective.  Following this on the 25 May is ‘Creating and Innovating with Technology in the Classroom – with Gary Stager’ at the Museum of Contemporary Art. If your brain is now reaching 80% capacity, get ready for the 25 May’s ‘What is the Value of Visual Literacy in the Workplace.’

We’re a big fan of the 3 June event where Stefan Sagmeister, one of the world’s most iconic designers, will be discussing design futures with global creative industry leaders. Stefan’s worked with clients such as the Rolling Stones, HBO and also received two Grammy’s for packaging design work with Talking Heads, Brian Eno and David Byrne.

If storytelling is your vice, then it’s a must see to attend Matthew Weiner on 31 May for a Q&A. This multi Emmy winning writer created Mad Men and a former exec producer on the Sopranos. Great TV doesn’t just come from a fantastic storyline – it also forms iconic characters that mold our viewing into realisms of trend setting and a can-do attitude.

If you believe you’re the next Steve Jobs, then the ‘ThinkFeel Create’ seminar on 24 May is something to add to your calendar. This is a highly charged workshop (mini incubator style) where you expand your thinking and sketch business ideas. It’ll help you fine tune your vision and decipher if your solution addresses a customer problem. The workshop also includes hard core tips on how to establish your business so when you leave, you’re absolutely geared up for entrepreneurial greatness.

Have a rummage around the event website for all the other seminars taking place and while you’re online, make your reservation at a Sydney boutique hotel. Inspiration doesn’t come from just talking; it’s also from generating inspiration about your future business ideas. We guarantee that you’ll be reflecting on a new career while you look at the stunning Sydney skyline from Cremorne Point Manor. If that doesn’t whet your appetite for positive business domination, then the roaring lions at the nearby Taronga Zoo pretty much guarantees an extra supportive cheer.

Music to Your Ears at Opera House Festival

From June 27^th to July 4^th, the Australian International Music Festival hits Sydney. Now in its 26^th year, the Festival is one of NSW’s favourite ear ringing events. With up to 1300 participants annually, the festival hits Sydney alongside touring Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Cuba. The groups performing include Aussie natives, China, Singapore and Japan so the eclectic style is diverse and culturally inspiring.
 

Even though there are a multitude of music styles on stage, the focus magnifies wind bands, choirs, jazz and orchestra. If you’ve never experienced an event at the Opera House, you’re in for a serious treat! Not only is this our adored choice of venue, but you can also check out the other music events taking place at the Angel Palace (City Recital Hall) and Darling Harbour. 

It’s not just a ‘perch your rear and watch’ festival…you can also be involved in the workshops and cultural exchanges. So if you’re a budding musician or lover of great sounds, you can dually share passions and insights with some of these leading performers.

Over the seven days, there will also be a flurry of awards by the festival jury including Gold, Silver or Bronze plaques at the concert performances. This is alongside the Showcase Award category for groups that prefer to abstain from competing.  More information about the Australian International Music Festival Awards, including band submission details, is featured on this link. It also showcases the full rundown of event activities, workshops, outdoor pops concert and band rehearsal exchanges. 

Prices for the Sydney Opera House tickets are $33 for standard submission for June 27^th – 29^th and performances run for 3 hours including a one 30 minute interval. 

Since Cremorne Point Manor is located just a short ferry ride from the Opera House, you can dance your way back to our Sydney boutique hotel in under 10 minutes. Overlooking the Harbour and stunning skyline, check out our home page short video. It’ll make your heart skip a great beat!

I Like to Ride my Bicycle

We’re all for an eco friendly lifestyle so obviously, greatly support Sydney Rides Business Challenge.  Starting 23 March and running to 19 April, NSW is striving for more local businesses and tourists to encourage their employees to cycle around the city. Not only is this healthy and fun, but it’s also faster than driving or taking a bus. This freebie near month event gets the whole city rallying together.

The Challenge competition pushes more workmates to ride bikes and win a prize. All you need to do is cycle 10 minutes a day (or more) and you may be the proud owner of a freebie offering, including a new set of two wheels, at a $2800 value.  Just register on the site and log your trip duration so you can start to climb the leaderboard.  Additional prizes aren’t shabby at all. They include a trip for two to Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, 360 Membership to the fitness facilities and prizes including this upcoming week’s range:  Flying Trapeze Workshop, Whale Watching/Jet Boat and a Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb - not ideal for anyone who’s so scared of heights, standing on tiptoes makes them queasy.

The more teams that get involved, the better the chance of grabbing group prizes. Fancy winning a Penny Farthing Bike Rack? Or a workplace massage for the whole team? How about an Electric Bike Tour for up to 8 people? Yep, these prizes are pushing you to get that bike out and start peddling - the rewards are more than enough to get you spinning around the city, while your adrenaline races ahead.

If you have a pet, take a photo of you and your furry friend on the bike to enter for a $75 gift voucher at Pets Palace.  Not ridden a bike in over 12 months? You could win one of 500 cinema tickets if you enter to win. We’re not sure how anyone can prove they’ve not ridden in a year but we presume the ‘wobbly photo meets petrified face’ entry image may be a giveaway clue.

Keep checking the Sydney Rides Business Challenge leaderboard which is currently showing Atlassian as the front runner. No bugs on their helmets, for sure! With over 270 organizations and nearly 4,000 people registering, NSW has collectively racked up over 142,000km with a walloping 8,646 trips.

For all visitors staying in our Sydney boutique hotel, you can rent bikes and join in the mayhem. Keeping with the eco theme, we’re a short ferry ride from the Harbour so store your bike on the ferry and once you reach our neck of the woods, you can ride around Cremorne Point.  The views of downtown, Harbour and Opera House are incredible so ask our staff for the best scenic points.