Firm Focus: Hotel Helps Make Your Big Event Memorable

GREAT LOCATION: Metro Hotel Ipswich International general manager Earl Muir

ON SATURDAY, May 2, the Ipswich CBD will be alive with the action, colour and entertainment of the annual Ipswich Festival.

Part of the activities will be the showcase of events presented by the Metro Hotel Ipswich International, service sponsor of this year's Ipswich Festival.

General manager Earl Muir said the hotel could assist customers looking for a great location in Ipswich for their special event.

"We proudly support the Ipswich Festival and we are taking this opportunity while people are in town to remind people we are here," Mr Muir said.

Amidst the array of things to do, pop into the hotel at 43 South St, Ipswich and meet with the experienced events team to talk to them about your upcoming event, be it a wedding, gala dinner, formal or special birthday party.

"Our team will be able to give you many ideas from themed rooms, menus, entertainment and everything that will make your event an experience to remember. And while you are there, enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly and tease your tastebuds with a selection of canapés," he said.

By simply having a chat about a future event and checking out the venue, you could win one night's accommodation, full buffet breakfast and dinner for two and a sunset flight with Pterodactyl Helicopters worth $980, so make sure you fill in the entry form.

The hotel's events showcase is being held from 11am-4pm, leaving time for visitors to stroll around the corner to take up position for the Ipswich Festival Parade at 6pm.

"We offer a complete package for weddings, the only hotel in the city that does so, including accommodation, venue, food and beverage package it means that the couple have a flat, per head cost and room for them to add their own personal touches to their special day," he said.

When it comes to conferences, the variety of rooms available is sure to please. Each room has high speed data connectivity, data projector and standard resources, Metro offers conference packages.

Mr Muir is no stranger to hospitality, starting out with the hotel scene around backpackers in Europe, working in resorts in far North Queensland and with Rick Stein, Alistair McLeod and other well-known chefs.

"I have been here for a year now and it is a very rewarding opportunity," he said.

Metro Hotels is the public face of Transmetro Corporation, an Australian owned public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The group currently provides a national accommodation network of properties, with more than 1000 rooms in key locations and major cities across Australia.

Visit Metro Hotel Ipswich International during the festival celebrations on May 2. 

For more details phone 3812 8077

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Workshops Railway Museum Ipswich

Workshops Rail Museum | Ipswich, QLD

The Workshops Rail Museum, part of the Queensland Museum, is winner of Australian and Queensland Tourism Awards for Heritage & Cultural Tourism

All aboard for a wholly interactive authentic heritage and cultural experience located at Australia’s oldest railway workshops still in operation.

Make history come alive with hands-on exhibits, multi-media encounters and colourful stories coupled with huge steam locomotives and massive industrial machinery.

Meet some true Aussie characters as you step into a real heritage railway workshop and see it in operation, just as it has been for over 140 years. See genuine restoration of the Heritage Steam Train Fleet up close and hear living history from railway workers – plus a few tall stories!

Explore over 15 larger-than-life exhibits to discover the enormous impact rail has had on our lives, beautifully restored carriages, the largest model railway of beautiful Queensland, the future of rail and treasured icons including the Vice-Regal carriage and Australia’s oldest working steam locomotive.

Find out more about the Workshops Rail Museum Ipswich

Find more Ipswich Tourist Attractions

Roy Orbison Tribute Show Accommodation Package - Ipswich, QLD

Metro Hotel Ipswich International is offering this Roy Orbison Tribute Show Package for $200.00* including:

• Accommodation for Two
• 2 Tickets to the Roy Orbison Tribute Show at Civic Theatre  

Book this Roy Orbison Tribute Show Package at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

 View Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Terms and Conditions:

• Subject to availability Please be advised that we must be notified of cancellations at least 24 hours prior to arrival, charge of one full night's tariff. 
• Terms and Conditions apply

Eat Drink and Be Merry - Christmas in Ipswich

Celebrate this festive Season with Some Christmas Cheer!

Metro Hotel Ipswich International will play Santa, with drinks, finger food and great venue!

To receive this offer, staff must show council ID at the bar.

RSVP to:

Eventsipswich@metrohg.com OR Call 07 38128077

A-League Set To Roar in Ipswich

CLOSE BY: Matt Smith and the Brisbane Roar will be taking on the Melbourne Victory at North Ipswich Reserve in a preseason match in September. Photo Credit: Joe Castro

IPSWICH'S top soccer teams are on the right track to developing the next generation of A-League stars, according to the Brisbane Roar captain.

With teams in the Brisbane Premier League and the Queensland conference of the new National Premier League, Smith said the development of local talent was in good hands.

The Roar will play a pre-season game against the Melbourne Victory at North Ipswich Reserve in the lead-up to the 2013-14 A-League season.

While admitting support in the football loving public remained split between the two leagues Smith said the emphasis on developing young players was the right path to take.

"I think what's important isn't so much the leagues the clubs play in, but I think it's important the clubs place emphasis on development," he said.

"I think it's really important here in Australia that clubs really get behind their youth and really focus on grassroots level.

"And the long-term strategy behind that, we'll have a process where south-east Queensland and Queensland is certainly developing good players to then flow into the Brisbane Roar youth team, and in time flow into the Brisbane Roar first team. I think that's probably the biggest paramount."

While the Roar have played pre-season games against local teams in Ipswich before, the September 14 game against the Melbourne Victory is the first time two A-League teams will play in Ipswich.

Smith said the team had always received a great response from Ipswich football fans when they'd played in town.

"We've always had great days out at Ipswich; the matches that we've had there in the past, they've always been good numbers, they've always been competitive matches, and we always like coming out there because we saw the Ipswich community gets behind us and really comes to support us. It's a good thing we're coming back there again."

The Roar will also play Ipswich-based NPL team Western Pride in a trial game in Toowoomba. They have already played two pre-season games again NPL opponents, including a 5-0 win over Albany Creek this week.

Roar coach Mike Mulvey said the games against NPL sides as well as A-League teams were far from meaningless as they wanted a blistering start to the season.

"We're leading into a very important season for the club, which means it is imperative we make sure our pre-season is well planned as well," Mulvey said.

"We want to play regular football and work on all aspects of our game as well as visiting Roar fans that live in different areas around Queensland and northern New South Wales who may not get to see us play regularly.

"These matches against strong A-League opposition will allow us to strive for good performances, solid results and equally importantly, team cohesion within the playing group."

If selected, the game could be the first time former Roar star Mitch Nicholls faces his old club after he was signed from the Roar to play for the Victory. Midfielder Nicholls played 125 games for the Roar and was an integral part of the team that won back-to-back premierships and were unbeaten for 36 straight games.

He was poached by the Victory in a move that will see him reunited with former Roar manager Ange Postecoglou.

With the Ipswich game towards the end of the Roar's pre-season Smith expected local fans would see a near-full-strength side take to the Reserve.

"It's obviously a coaching decision but with the game against top competition and getting close to the start of the season I'd expect we'd at least start with our strongest line-up."

The Roar will face the Victory at North Ipswich on Saturday, September 14, and against the Western Pride in Toowoomba on Wednesday, September 18, at the Toowoomba Grammar School.

by Geoff Egan

Source: http://www.qt.com.au/news/a-league-set-to-roar-in-ipswich/1958255/

Need Hotel Accommodation in Ipswich?

Try Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Warm Up in Ipswich @ Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Metro Hotel Ipswich International is offering this Warm Up in Ipswich Special for $149.00* per night staying in a Superior Queen room including:

• Hot Chocolate Welcome Pack 
• Breakfast 
• Free Internet 
• Free Parking 
• $30.00 Voucher when 2 people dine in the restaurant for a two course meal 

Hotel Location: 43 South Street (Cnr Foote Lane) Ipswich Qld 4305

Book here: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/311

Phone: +61 7 38128077

Offer Expires: 31st August 2013 

Review from TripAdvisor.com on Metro Hotel Ipswich International

“Great location, clean and updated.”

Reviewed April 20, 2013

This hotel is clean, neat and has been updated. It was a reasonable rate. The TV was a little small for the size of the room. Great range of DVD's for free however our DVD player didn't work. The beds were comfortable and good luggage space. Overall very happy with this accommodation for three of us.

• Stayed April 2013, traveled with family
  • Value
  • Location
  • Sleep Quality
  • Rooms
  • Cleanliness
  • Service

Source: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g494992-d614762-r158251314-Metro_Hotel_Ipswich_International-Ipswich_Greater_Brisbane_Queensland.html#REVIEWS

How to Attract Tourists

NEW LOOK MAG: Ian Wilson, Jocelyn Smith and Margaret and Ray Nicol attend the launch of the 2013 Ipswich Visitors Guide at Metro Hotel on Friday.

A HANDY full-colour guide to Ipswich was unveiled with the launch of this year's Ipswich Visitors' Guide at the Metro Ipswich International Hotel.

Ipswich City Council Tourism and Libraries Committee chairman David Pahlke said the brochure provided a hard-copy version of information on the many and varied attractions available in Ipswich.

"The guide highlights the various experiences, attractions, tours and accommodation on offer in Ipswich," Cr Pahlke said. A total of 40,000 copies will be distributed through visitor information centres in Queensland and northern New South Wales as well as at various tourism events.

Cr Pahlke said the Ipswich Visitor Guide helped to sell Ipswich to the world and focus attention on all the great things the city had to offer. "This is a great way to familiarise yourself with all the many different things which can be found in your own backyard." Cr Pahlke said the event also marked the launch of a special week - Discover Ipswich Week.

"Running until April 13, the week is designed to raise awareness of the range of visitor experiences available in the city and features a program of locally focussed promotional tourism activities."

Mayor Paul Pisasale said Ipswich's tourism industry provided a considerable economic benefit to the city. "This figure has continued to climb in recent years jumping from $100 million in 2008 to $136 million in 2011," he said. "We play host each year to approximately 16,000 international visitors, 241,000 domestic visitors who stay overnight and 847,000 domestic day visitors." Phone 3281 0555 or visit discoveripswich.com.au.

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MICE Expo to Show Off Ipswich City - Metro Hotel Ispwich International

IPSWICH businesses will showcase the city as a host for future events and conferences at the MICE Expo at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International, South St, on March 13.

On show to regional event organisers will be the many products and services on offer in Ipswich, including hot air ballooning, helicopter winery tours, golf, beauty treatments, art galleries and boutique shopping.

The MICE expo runs from 11am-2pm.

Exhibitors on display at the hotel will include Drift restaurant, Pterodactyl Helicopters, The Wine Company, Sang's Day Spa, Simply Elegant Occasions, Ipswich Tourism, Ipswich Sports House, Ipswich Office of Economic Development and limousine services.

Phone 3812 8077 for details.

View the Official Metro Hotel Ipswich International website

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Time Warp - A Musical Tribute to the Rocky Horror Show

Time Warp: A Musical Tribute to The Rocky Horror Show takes the basic storyline of the cult classic, deftly twists it around to keep within the tribute laws, and turns up the sexy content with ad-lib comedy and audience participation.



If you’re a lover of the Rocky Horror Show or just looking for a great night out, this show is not to be missed. Enjoy a fun-filled evening dedicated to the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Sing along to your favourite Transylvanian tunes such as Time Warp, Toucha-Toucha-Touch Me, Over At Frankenstein Place, Sweet Transvestite, Hot Patootie, I Can Make You A Man, Eddie’s Teddy, Science Fiction, Dammit Janet, Wild And Untamed Thing and many more.

This show is vocally and musically outstanding with excellent performances from a superbly talented and slick cast.

They are Australia’s finest and most experienced Musical Theatre performers. Staring as the transsexual Frank N Furter is John O’Hara [Wicked, Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma, High Society, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats, Eureka, Leader Of The Pack , The Boy From Oz, Shout].

As well as, Anna Burgess [The Producers, Anything Goes, Sweet Charity, 42nd Street, The Pajama Game] as the effervescent Groupie Columbia, Leigh Barker [Rent, West Side Story, Xmas Theatre Musical Hong Kong] as the strange and outlandish Riff Raff and his sister/lover Magenta is played by Sue Ellen Shook [Chorus Line, Moulin Rouge ].The creation Rocky is played by Tom Webb [Rocky Horror Show, Tokyo Disneyland] and Lucas Glover [Rocky Horror Show, Chicago, Starlight Express]. Luigi Lucente [Wicked] and Daniel Mottau [Lead Tenor Victorian Concert Orchestra, Grease 2: Live In Concert, Xmas Theatre Musical Hong Kong] are in the role of Mr. Brad Majors with fiancée Janet Weiss played by Gretel Scarlett [Wicked, Mamma mia]

Show Songs Include:

Time Warp 
Over at Frankenstein’s Place
Rose Tint My World
Toucha Touch Me
Dammit Janet
Don’t Dream It
Sweet Transvestite
Wild and Untamed Thing
Superheroes and many more...

Time Warp The Original Rocky Horror Tribute Show

Touring Queensland and Northern NSW
7th Feb Caloundra RSL
8th Feb Kedron Wavell RSL
9th Feb Emerald Town hall
10th Feb Jolly Collier Dysart
14th Feb Hervey Bay RSL
15th Feb Coffs Ex Services Club
16th Feb Lismore Workers Club
20th Feb Ipswich Civic Centre
21st Feb Ipswich Civic Centre
22nd Feb Twin Towns
23rd Feb Wynnum Manly Leagues Club
24th Feb City Golf Club Toowoomba

Chefs To Help Tackle Obesity with Good Fork Week

Metro Hotel Ipswich International has joined other Chefs and foodservice operators across the country in the fight against obesity. By taking part in the inaugural Good Fork Week, where participating chefs have been asked to tweak menu items and deliver more nutritious options for diners.

The campaign, which is leveraging off October as National Health Awareness Month, and will run from 2 to 28 October.

Good Fork Week's launch follows the results of Unilever Food Solutions' World Menu Report 3, which looks at eating-out-of-home trends and found that 64 per cent of Australians eat out at least once a week and only half look for or choose a healthier option, despite 66 per cent saying they prefer healthier options.

David Manz Head Chef at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International has made so changes to the lunch time menu to include some healthy choices . One of David’s 'hero dish' menus can be found on the Unilever Food Solutions website

If you're interested in taking part or would like to learn more about the campaign, head to www.goodforkweek.com.au

Mother's Day Brunch at Platform 9, Metro Hotel Ipswich International

This Mother's Day, spoil mum with a Mother's Day Brunch at Metro Hotel Ipswich International's Platform 9.

This Mother's Day at Metro Hotel Ipswich International, You will be spoiled for choice!

 

This Mother's Day at Metro Hotel Ipswich International, You will be spoiled for choice!

Easter Holiday Special at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

This Easter Holiday Special for $552.00* at Metro Hotel Ipswich International includes:

• Two Nights’ accommodation
• Continental breakfast
• Two course evening meal plus entry to Railway Workshops Museum .

Book this Easter Holiday Special at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

View Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Terms and Conditions:

• Minimum Two Night Stay Required
• Enclosed footwear is required for your safety at the Railway Work Shop Museum
• Children 12 and younger stay free when they share the same room as their parents or grandparents when no additional bedding is required
  Kids (0-12 years) eat free from the children's menu when dining with paying adults
• Subject to availability
• Terms and Conditions apply*

Conference Factsheet - Metro Hotel Ipswich International

mhii-2012-conference-factsheet -

Metro Hotel Ipswich International boasts several different function rooms, each room individual in their style and layout. We can cater for small groups from 2 guests to large groups of 450 guests.

See the Groups and Meetings Page on Metro Hotel Ipswch International's website

Metro Manager Settles into Role - Metro Hotel Ipswich International

NEW Metro Hotel Ipswich International general manager Ted Matthews has high hopes for Ipswich's marquee hotel.

Mr Matthews took the reins at the Metro Hotel last week after 25 years in the hotel industry, which has taken him from Adelaide Travelodge to the Ridges in Cairns and Touraust Hotels in Sydney - and he is still passionate about the industry.

As travelling becomes more affordable, Mr Matthews said hotel guests were becoming more aware of what to expect from a quality hotel.

He said in his experience the expectations held by guests had not changed greatly.

"I don't think it has changed. People still like a quality experience, as if they belong here, things they don't get at home and they want to be comfortable in where they are staying."

He hopes the Metro Hotel continues to meet the demands set by its guests.

"I enjoy the challenges working with people brings, and I'm always looking to learn and teach those who work with me," he said.

"No two days are the same and planning can be very difficult, as you never know what will happen."

Metro Hotel Ipswich International featured on Eat, Play and Stay

Metro Hotel Ipswich International as featured recently on Eat, Play and Stay

Christmas Set Menu at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Christmas Set Menu at Metro Hotel Ipswich International:

Favourite Christmas nibbles and all the
Christmas trimmings

Select 2 from each course - Served alternate Drop
$55.00 – 2 Course / $65.00 – 3 Course

Entrée
Soup of the Day

Wild Mushroom and English Spinach Risotto
Finished with Shaved Parmesan

Antipasto tarts with Olives, finely chopped Capsicum and Sundried Tomatoes, served with red Pepper coulis.

Mains
Sliced Breast of Turkey presented on a Medley of Oven Roasted Root Vegetables Finished in a Cranberry Jus

Oven Roasted Loin of Pork, Presented on a Cinnamon Glazed Apple and Walnut Salad
Maple Infused Baked Ham Served on a Nicoise Style Salad

Australia Reef fish, braised leeks in salsa verde & potato ecrasse

Dessert
Traditional Plum pudding and Warm Brandy Analgise with Vanilla Ice-cream

Pavlova, Fresh Queensland Fruit and Raspberry Coulis

Cherry and Chocolate Sponge Trifle with Chantilly Cream
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Optional Extra’s
Chair Covers & Sashes We have a large selection of colours @ $7.00 per cover
Decorations/ Centre pieces can be sourced for you (POA) or you can supply your own
Entertainment can be sourced for you (POA) or you can supply your own
Dance floor Hire Charge $150.00
Dry Bars $35.00 each
Lycra Dry Bar Covers $15.00 each (Black/ White) $18.00 each (colours)
Microphone & Speakers $100.00
Data Projector - Visual only $110.00
Stage POA
Bar Tender $35.00 per hour (Under 50 guests)/ Bar Tender FOC (Over 50 guests)

Private Room Hire
Bundamba Boardroom $180.00 (Weekday) $200.00 (Saturday & Sunday)
Limestone Room $250.00 (Weekday) $325.00 (Saturday & Sunday)
Amberley Room $250.00 (Weekday) $325.00 (Saturday & Sunday)
Silkstone Room $300.00 (Weekday) $400.00 (Saturday & Sunday)
Booval Room $350.00 (Weekday) $450.00 (Saturday & Sunday)
Karalee Room $350.00 (Weekday) $450.00 (Saturday & Sunday)
Grandchester Ballroom $500.00 (Weekday) $600.00 (Saturday & Sunday)

View Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Hot Family Deal at Metro Hotel Ipswich International @ Metro Hotel Ipswich International - Metro Hotels

Metro Hotel Ipswich International is offering this Hot Family Deal for $187.00 including:

• Accommodation for 2 adults 2 children
  
• Bottle wine on arrival
  
• Free undercover parking
  
• Free DVD hire

PLUS: Family pass for two adults and 2 children to the Workshop Rail Museum

Hot Family Deal at Metro Hotel Ipswich International @ Metro Hotel Ipswich International - Metro Hotels

Like Metro Hotel Ipswich International on FaceBook

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