Hi

Welcome to the May 2008 edition of our eNewsletter.  In future editions Group Events will update you with what’s moving and on offer among the exciting group tours and events we have organised.  There will be ideas on how to best organise your group and to which destinations, plus we provide details of recent group’s departures. We welcome any feedback you have on our newsletter and recommendations and requests on what you would like to see in future newsletters. Just email me here.

Whether you are one of our past clients that has travelled with us somewhere around the globe or someone that is looking at organising a group tour, we guarantee that our team will provide you with a happy and unforgettable group touring experience.

If your group is a small group of 10 or a large group event of 400 people plus, or a special interest group tour to New Zealand (our specialty) conference, corporate incentive, school, sporting body, or large family group, your own dedicated  Travel Manager will work closely with you from the minute you first contact us. They will help you organise everything you require from putting a suitable itinerary together, to helping you with fund raising ideas for your group, then touring you to your destination and back.

If you are a school group, our specialised School Group Tour Managers search for the perfect mix of education, sport, music, earth sciences, culture, and adventure to take you to places like China, Singapore, and Malaysia. Tours are designed to meet your curriculum based requests.  Students are given the opportunity to develop an awareness of different cultures, languages and skills in an education based environment abroad.

We look forward to making your next group tour successful!


KEITH WEBER
Managing Director - Group Events

Over 20 music teachers and Earth and Science and Geography teachers recently travelled to New Zealand to research and experience the educational tours the country has to offer.

The music teachers inspected many accommodation and performance venues, food, culture and some geothermal attractions which are used as Study Rewards with some of the fun adventure attractions in Rotorua.

Earth and Science teachers climbed Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tarawera for Volcanic Studies. They scientifically tested the muds and acid pools at Hells Gate. They then studied the involvement of Maori and his living among steaming thermal activity and sustainable tourist product at Whakarewarewa, the living Maori Village. Waiotapu and Waimangu Valley are all part of the Mt Tarawera eruption and are all different offering a huge understanding to take back to your classroom at home.

Maori Culture was offered as a study reward. Students can relax at Te Puia, the Maori Arts and crafts institute, a contemporary educational enterprise and can relax at Tamaki Heritage Marae and be entertained and fed at the only New Zealand Supreme Award winning cultural show.

More Study Rewards that are on offer are the Agro Jet, the Swoop, the Freefall Xtreme, the new Shweeb and the Agrodome. As is the exciting 4WD Off Road NZ attraction that sees them driving 4WD’s and sprint cars, riding the Beast and sliding down Waterfalls.

These tours were made possible by Air New Zealand, Oceania Coachlines, Millennium Copthorne and Kingsgate Hotels, Skotel at the Ruapehu Ski Fields and the many attraction operators involved. They made the tour possible as part of a joint marketing exercise to expose the real benefits of Group Events Classroom of the Great New Zealand Outdoors.  

World Expo 2010 is the occasion for China to bring the world home, and for the world to feel at home in China. By dedicating a 5.28-square-kilometer area at the core of the city to exhibitions, events and forums on the Expo theme, "Better City, Better Life," Shanghai hopes to build a powerful and lasting pilot example of sustainable and harmonious urban living.

Register your interest now to organise your group tour to this exciting event. Ask us for ideas on how to establish your own fundraising program to get your group or organisation to visit the World Expo between May and October 31 2010. Contact Group Events now to register your interest and to discuss fundraising ideas. We want to hear from school music groups wishing to perform in China then or some other time

Are you ready for Rhapsody Rotorua?

Rhapsody Rotorua is set for July 2008 and Group Events are now accepting groups for 2009. Schools from Perth, Brisbane, Bunderberg, Sydney, Melbourne, and possibly from Malaysia will attend in 2008.

Professor Rodger Fox New Zealand’s big band expert will adjudicate and work with students for the week. Erna Ferry will work with singers wanting to go commercial later in life. Owen Clarke will also be present and is Music Director of NZ Air force Band, Conductor of the Central Band of the RNZAF Wellington, conductor of many professional, tertiary and youth Level Orchestras including the Vector Wellington Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and many more. Students will love working with him.

ASK for your own copy of our DVD of Rhapsody Rotorua
Group Events has recently produced a 25 minute DVD featuring the youth music festival “Rhapsody Rotorua”. The DVD “It’s not where they start but where they finish” features all the action from the welcome dance party through to the school visits, various venue performances, workshops, theatre performances, adjudication and Study Rewards.
Available from May 31, make sure you order your copy today by emailing Group Events at charmaine@groupevents.com.au or phone 1800 655 661 or 02 9773 1133 if within the Sydney area.

Get your Bonus ….FREE Rhapsody Asia DVD showing you all the incredible venues, exotic culture and great accommodation where group participants will stay.

Start raising funds For Rhapsody Asia NOW

Rhapsody Asia is taking place in Malaysia and Singapore during the July school holidays in 2009. You can perform and stay at the Concorde Hotel Shah Alam in Kuala Lumpur and experience a music exchange with Malaysian and Singapore schools.

Rodger Fox has been invited to work with the big bands. Ask for a DVD on Rhapsody Asia and get Rhapsody Rotorua DVD for FREE. Make sure you order your copy today by emailing Group Events at info@groupevents.com.au or phone 1800 655 661 or 02 9773 1133 if within the Sydney area.

FULLY ESCORTED GROUP DEPARTURE
22 December 2008

BOOK NOW & SAVE $200

China offers more than you think. Experience exotic foods, 'Copycat Market' shopping, historic places and exciting proud culture in one of the oldest countries on the planet. Come along and join our fully escorted group tour of this exciting destination and see yourself what this amazing country has to offer.

Click here to play our video on China or click here for a brochure on the tour.

Our Group Events team recently travelled to China to personally inspect every ground operator, hotel and group tour supplier to guarantee quality, safety and to guarantee that the group tour will be a success.

Includes :

• 4 days, 5 nights Cruise the Yangtze River at Christmas on board the “5 Star MV Century Star” in standard, share twin Cabin
• 13 day China Highlights tour

13 Day CHINA HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - 22 December 08 - 03 January 09
Tour Includes all Air fares,(ex Sydney / Melbourne/ Brisbane),  taxes,  Western and Chines Meals, 4 Star Hotel accommodation, transfers, entrance fees and professional  English speaking guides to show you their country. 4 nights / 5 star Yangtze River Cruise Yichang / Chongqing……3 nights Beijing… 3 Nights Xian… 2 nights Shanghai
China is more than you think!

Spend Christmas Day in Beijing and on the Cruise boat. Celebrate New Years Eve in Shanghai

GET YOUR FREE CHRISTMAS GIFTS TODAY!!!!

Gift 1
Get a free DVD of Group Events China sent to you today:  Group Events staff have visited and researched the land portion of this tour. This visit is part of this DVD.
 
Click here to register your interest in the tour.

Gift 2
Can’t play a DVD… Ask us for our alternative gift… Free Map of China and full colour ‘perfect bound’ 200 Page Handy China Travel Guide.
 
Gift 3
Be an ‘Early Bird’…Deposit $100.00 per person before 31 May and receive a $200 per adult “Cash Back” as spending money, upon final payment of your total tour cost.

Gift 4
Receive a Travel Wallet full of Goodies and a travel bag too PLUS a special Christmas Gift when you finalise your booking and tour with us.

TOUR COST: $3280 per person.   (Single Supplement: $750.00)

Cruise Upgrades
Deluxe Cabin - $350 per person x 2 
Presidential Suite: $1400 per person x 2                        

Tour excludes:
All airport Taxes: ($390.00 as at Jan 2008 and is subject to change)
Travel Insurance: We will do this with QBE and allow 20% Discount if taken out at time of deposit. ($130.00 less 20% = $104.00)
China Visa Fee (Australian passport holders $30.00)
Tipping (AU$100.00 includes cruise tipping)
Personal expenses, Laundry, phone calls, beverages etc.