The truth is companies aren’t the only organisations that are able to hold conferences. At Foothills Conference Centre, we have seen conferences of every shape, form and purpose. One that is becoming increasingly popular however, is academic conferences.

What is an academic conference? As its name suggests, an academic conference is a conference which aims at educating its audience. An academic conference can be held by schools, universities and even training organisations, but is not limited to these groups. Academic conferences can be made up of simply a group of people who have shared interest in something, or want to learn more about a particular topic or thing.

Academic Conferences are a great way to socialise and meet people who have a shared interest with you. They are also a great way to learn more about a topic you may really enjoy, or a topic that may assist you in your work.

Foothills Conference Centre has catered for conferences of many different forms. If you are thinking about organising an academic conference, contact Foothills Conference Centre and find out how we can help.

Special Deal

$149 pp

Including one night TWIN SHARE Accommodation

2 x day delegate package, standard AV and room hire Minimum Delegates: 30

Or: $189 pp

Including one night SINGLE ROOM accommodation,

2 x day delegate package, standard AV and room hire Minimum Delegates: 30

Expiry Date: 30 June 2012

Disabled accommodation, toilets and parking available

Please send enquires to: enquiries@foothillscc.com.au

Contact person: Sharon Rice

Contact number: 1300 341 630

To help you understand what we mean, Foothills Conference Centre has found a hilarious video of a video conference call between some business partners. This video conference scenario shows exactly why you should always remain professional during a conference setting.

In the video, three business partners are conducting a video conference, and are attempting to call a fourth member to add her into the conference. While this forth member, in the top left corner, can’t see her partners, they can sure see her.

Here is definitely something NOT to do while in a conference setting. We would love to hear any funny conference stories you might have! Comment here or ‘like’ Foothills Conference Centre on Facebook and let us know on our wall.

Click on the following link to watch the hilarious video conference. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNbXwoQ-rXo

In order to become a great speaker, you must first begin with the way you choose to open your topic. A strong, confident and entertaining opening is important to get a hold of your audience’s attention from the very beginning. A strong ending is also important to make sure that your main talking points are reinforced and remembered.

At Foothills Conference Centre, we want you to have the most enjoyable and successful conference experience possible. For this reason, we have found a great video tutorial to help you achieve a great opening and closing. Check out the video below for more details, and stay tuned to Foothills Conference Centre for more information and online tutorials on how to be an excellent speaker.

Click here to view the embedded video.

There are many different reasons to organise a conference. The most common reasons include:

-        To learn about changes within a business

-        To be aware of and understand new products or services available within a business

-        To update knowledge and understanding about a business’s industry

What most people are unaware of is that conferences are not only avenues for learning about the things mentioned above, but about learning to understand colleagues.

The more time your employees spend out of the office together, the closer and more understanding of each other they become. This is essential in ensuring that your employees across different departments get to know each other and find a way to communicate and work well together.

Conferences are also an excellent opportunity for employers to get to know their staff.

There is one other key to a successful and worthwhile conference, and that is a fantastic conference centre!

At Foothills Conference Centre, we have experience in a wide variety of conferences and events. No matter what you wish your staff to gain out of their conference experience, Foothills Conference Centre has the facilities to cater your conference to your individual needs.

What the most rewarding conference experience? Foothills Conference Centre would love to hear what you think.

Whether you need meeting rooms in Melbourne for conferences, team building exercises, training purposes, or any other type of business function or event, Foothills Conference Centre is able to accommodate to your needs.

Foothills Conference Centre has a great range of meeting rooms, as well as modern and advanced facilities in these meeting rooms.

Our meeting rooms, and meeting room facilities include:

- Redgum Theatre, which fits 160 people
- Silvergum Theatre, which fits 92 people
- Acacia Room, which fits 180 people
- Banksia Room, which fits 250 people
- Protea 1 Conference Room, up to 25 people
- Protea 2 Conference Room, up to 65 people
- Wattletree Restaurant
- 2 Fully Licensed Bars
- Computer Room, with 50 PC’s
- 4 breakout rooms
- 54 spacious Guest Suites
- 2 Self-contained Cottages
- Reception Area

Foothills Conference Centre also has a great range of leisure activities for those hiring our meeting rooms. These leisure activities are perfect methods of entertainment if you are hiring a meeting room for business purposes. These activities include:

- Team building activities individually designed for your groups needs.
- Recreation room with Pool Table and Table Tennis.
- Fireside lounge and Wattle Tree Bar
- Fully fenced swimming complex- with 3 pools
- Basketball, Tennis and Volleyball courts
- Onsite lake
- Multi tier open air mudrock amphitheatre
- We are currently in the process of designing a walking track embracing our lake area and incorporating an orienteering course

Because of Foothills Conference  Centre’s fantastic facilities and leisure activities available to groups, it is clear that Foothills Conference Centre is the best choice for meeting rooms Melbourne.

Not only is the Yarra Valley breathtakingly beautiful, but there is so much to do that will keep you occupied. The Yarra Valley is the home of Victorian wine, the exact spot where Victorian winegrowing began. Here, you are able to sample the wines, and who doesn’t love that! The Yarra Valley also offers tours and fantastic meals from one of the many restaurants in the area made from fresh, local produce- sure to compliment the fantastic wine.

Within the Yarra Valley, amongst the spectacular scenery, you will find diverse villages tucked away. To ensure that you experience a full 360 degree view of the Valley, you can choose to take a hot-air balloon ride. If that doesn’t keep the kids entertained, Healesville Sanctuary, known around the world as the best place to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat, sure will.

For the older kids, the TarraWarra Museum of Art is definitely the place to go. The TarraWarra Museum of Art is Australia’s first privately funded public visual arts museum to be set up by the Government. Along with the Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander- one winery with two very distinct labels- the list of things to do in the Yarra Valley is a long one.

The ‘to-do’ list is lengthened further with Dandenong Ranges located right next door.

While the Yarra Valley may not be in the heart of Melbourne, the trip (that takes under an hour), will be a rewarding one. A couple of days away from the hustle and bustle of the city is exactly what is needed- especially at this time of year.

With Foothills Conference Centre close by for your accommodation- what more do you need! Book to stay at Foothills Conference Centre today to experience the beautiful Yarra Valley.

As we all know, the workplace can at times seem overbearing through the stress of deadlines and other commitments. Relaxation is the most important key to health and well being, and is also the only remedy to stress. Because it is common for work and stress to come hand in hand, there is no better need for relaxation than at a work related event.

There are many benefits of remaining relaxed while at a work related conference, or any event for that matter. Usually, when employees are strained, tense and on edge it reflects through their work, whether in or away from the office. Choosing to have your conference at a venue such as Foothills Conference Centre, allows for your employees to truly feel like they are on a getaway from all their usual daily anxieties. This ‘getaway’ makes for a more happy, calm and focused conference or event, ensuring that your staff is truly taking in information and experiences.

Furthermore, keeping staff relaxed during conferences, seminars and team building exercises, allows for better relationships to develop between employees. Friendly employees equal a happier workplace with better communication- essential in the successful implementation of tasks.

Because of this fact, Foothills Conference Centre continuously strives to maintain the calm, relaxing surrounding atmosphere. Along with our beautiful natural surroundings, Foothills Conference Centre is set on a secluded 20 acre native paradise away from all the usual hustle and bustle.Furthermore, Foothills Conference Centre is encompassed with modern features, ensuring that all your particular conference needs are met. All this, right in Melbourne’s back yard, barely even a 50 minute drive from the CBD.

Contact us to find out what other fantastic facilities Foothills Conference Centre has available for all your conference needs.

Foothills Conference Centre was delighted to host a Liberal Party Event.

The Breakfast which was organized by Local MP Tony Smith was attended by 115 guests.

We were thrilled to have Special Guest Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, Mr Tony Abbott.

Mr Abbott had his audience enthralled for half an hour and after which he took time out to have photos taken with many of the guests.

Watch the video.
Mr Abbot at Foothills