ANNOUNCEMENT
Due to circumstances beyond the committee’s control, the conference hotels are completely booked out for the weekend of the conference. More than this, the entire
immediate area appears to be heavily booked. (Explanation below)
NEW ACCOMMODATION DETAILS.
The committee has done much research and has identified Kingscliff - 15 kilometres down the highway, as a potential second hub where Soroptimists can stay and share transport to and from the conference venue and meet up on Saturday night. A number of Soroptimists have already booked at Mantra on Salt Beach and Peppers Salt Resort & Spa. We tried to arrange a deal with ACCOR for a conference rate but they said we were not eligible for a promo code. Further research has revealed that there is accommodation at very reasonable rates in the area and two maxi taxis with room for up to eleven people. Depending on numbers, we may be able to look at shuttle buses.
For those still to register, please check out https://www.hotelscombined.com.au/Place/Kingscliff.htm. I found a variety of accommodation similar to, sometimes cheaper than, the conference hotels, including:
Mantra on Salt Beach
Peppers Salt Resort & Spa
Oaks Casuarina Santai Resort
Tropical Coast Retreat.
We are changing the start time for conference to allow for travel time. We have been in communication with the current registrants who had yet to book accommodation to alert them to the situation and many have been able to book elsewhere. We have worked to ensure cheap accommodation for some of our overseas members.
Background Explanation
We have been informed that lack of accomodation is due to the scheduling (only at the end of 2023) of a rock concert on the beach at Coolangatta on the Saturday night, which is attracting a huge crowd, it is disappointing that the conference organisers and the reservations section processing the Soroptimist bookings failed to inform us of this new event on the calendar and possible impacts. However, the agreement was rooms would be made available to conference participants at the quoted cost “in accordance with availability”. SISEAP could not afford to pay to have rooms set aside for our members. We would have to have committed to pay for a minimum of 100 rooms and that was way outside our budget and anticipated attendance. At the time of the agreement, we were informed that there were more than 200 rooms available. The committee will work with all members to obtain accommodation where available, please reach out so that we can assist
Kingscliffe and Kirra are viable alternative, Kingscliffe is a magnificent beach area, with quality hotels and apartments and is only 7 Klms away, a short trip by uber, but the committee will also work with you on organising transportation each morning and night. Kirra is just down the hill from Tweed Heads.