Not just one of the most iconic destinations on the planet, the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region is well-placed, well established and ready as a conference location.

As well as individual venues, the conference sector in general is supported by Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism (BMLOT), the official regional tourism organisation recognised by government and industry.

BMLOT conference committee chairman and Fairmont Resort MGallery sales and marketing director Thomas Brand said: ``The Blue Mountains is an ideal conference destination given its well-established venues and supporting infrastructure, the range of team building activities and its proximity to Australia's largest city (Sydney).''

The Blue Mountains offers a range of spaces for meetings, seminars and conferences.

Venues such as the Fairmont Resort MGallery, Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa Retreat and Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa feature state-of-the-art conference facilities from smaller board rooms to large ballrooms for up to 800 people.

"Of course those venues have the added benefit of on-site accommodation and are close to major towns and tourist attractions where team members can relax after extensive presentations over a meal at Silks Brasserie or Leura Garage or get to know their colleagues better at enjoyable activities such as the rides at Scenic World, which also has conference facilities, '' Mr Brand said.

"Then there's the exciting teambuilding activities offered by Blue Mountains Adventure Company and Everest Team Events.

"We may not be able to guarantee the outcome of your team meeting but we can promise picturesque locations at every venue including the peaceful surrounds of Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah.''

BMLOT chairman Randall Walker said: ``The Blue Mountains has long been recognised as a mature tourist destination.

"However, the area is also an ideal location for conference groups, with venues suitable for business events , teambuilding activities as well as stunning attractions.

"Then of course there is the magnificent backdrop of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area with its endless vistas, spectacular natural wonders and more than 400 walking tracks.

"There's no such thing as all work and no play at conferences in our Blue Mountains.''

Blue Mountains conference venues and teambuilding options involved in AIME:

Blue Mountains Adventure Company
(02) 4782 1271
www.bmac.com.au

Test your nerve and push through personal boundaries through abseiling, rock climbing or canyoning. Experienced and qualified guides will lead participants through each tailored activity for all skill levels through jaw-dropping vistas and beautiful Blue Mountains escarpments.

More than just brute strength, the sports focus on balance, concentration, self-confidence and fun.

Groups of up to 30 can take part in a range of packages from two-hour bushwalks to half and full-day experiences, with all safety gear and national parks entrance fees included.

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
(02) 4567 3019
www.mounttomahbotanicgarden.com.au

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden offers two meeting rooms (one for up to 50 delegates, the other up to 100), both equipped with modern facilities and with beautiful garden views.

During conference breaks guests can enjoy the natural beauty of Mount Tomah, visit the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Exhibition Centre, dine at Restaurant Tomah or experience one of the special tour options such as the Aboriginal Heritage Tour led by Aboriginal horticulturalist Brenden Moore.

Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa
(02) 6350 1800
www.wolganvalley.com

Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is an ideal location for hosting meetings and events. The conference room can accommodate up to 90 guests, while a private boardroom caters for up to 12 people

A business centre is available along with unrivalled banqueting facilities. Guests can also work from the comfort of their private suite, each with a generous amount of work space and complimentary wireless internet access through a fast fibre-optic network.

Once the business of the day has concluded, corporate guests are invited to make the most of the resort's facilities, as well as witness the wildlife in the reserve.

Everest Team Events
(0418) 229 539 
www.everestteamevents.com.au

Everest Team Events offers teambuilding services to all hotels across the region.

Corporate groups can take part in Segway tours, outdoor laser tag, bushwalking, abseiling, canyoning, rock climbing or ropes adventures as well as a range of indoor events such as laser skirmishes and interactive quizzes.

Everest Team Events managing director Chris Hall said: ``We believe that innovation and great relationships are what add value to conferencing market and our marketplace aim is to be the one-stop-shop for teambuilding across the mountains.''

Fairmont Resort MGallery, Leura
(02) 4785 0000
www.fairmontresort.com.au

Whether you're looking for a private Blue Mountains getaway for a small think tank, an upscale environment to build team morale or a grand ballroom for an elaborate themed event, the Fairmont Resort is the perfect conference venue.

Boasting 14 conference rooms that can cater from eight to 850 people in a variety of room formats, the Fairmont Resort is unmatched in the region for its conferencing flexibility, capacity and quality. It now has a new 128 seat auditorium.

Hold brain-storming sessions to a backdrop of tranquil Jamison Valley vistas, entertain event delegates under the stars of the lakeside gazebo, and venture into the surrounding World Heritage-listed national park for a range of spectacular team-building activities.

Leura Garage
(02) 4784 3391
www.leuragarage.com.au

Right on the doorstep of pristine wilderness, the award-winning Leura Garage is a shining light in eco construction.

The venue is a great place to drop in for an Ethiopian/Brazilian blend coffee or a drink, enjoy a leisurely brunch, meet friends for lunch or share a bottle of locally-produced wine and a pizza for dinner. The Leura Garage wine list is a cellar door for the vineyards of the NSW central ranges.

And whether it's New Orleans' signature muffuletta sandwiches, pastries cooked on site in the early hours of the morning or a casual antipasto platter featuring serrano ham freshly cut on the restored 60-year-old Continental slicer. Customers may try tapas, pizza, pasta, or risotto and the underlying theme will be swift friendly service, quality, hearty produce and affordable prices.

Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa Retreat, Katoomba
(02) 4782 2155
www.mountainheritage.com.au

Take advantage of the exclusive use of one of the Blue Mountains' finest hotel-spa retreats for your conferences and meetings.

Enjoy quality conference facilities, deluxe accommodation, day spa and fine food/catering, all in a spectacular World Heritage-listed location. Use all or some of the hotel facilities including booking the hotel's premium facilities for exclusive use for the duration of your conference or meeting.

That means your own private business retreat, a hotel and its staff dedicated to your needs, and full access to an array of meeting rooms, technology and resources for strategy development, team interaction and relaxation.

Scenic World, Katoomba
Events manager Alana Silk – (02) 4780 0246
alana@scenicworld.com.au
www.scenicworld.com.au

With a range of spaces and packages available, Scenic World is expert at customising memorable conference events, corporate functions and incentives. Recent clients include the Deloitte, Merck Sharp & Dohme, IBM and Blue Mountains Film Festival.

From cocktails on the outdoor terrace to fine dining for 150 delegates, or even a traditional Australian barbecue, guests experience a uniquely Blue Mountains event.

Exclusive options include gliding 270m above the Jamison Valley to arrive by Skyway or descending to the valley floor for a twilight tour along the Scenic Walkway as the sun sets on the Three Sisters.

Silk's Brasserie, Leura
(02) 4784 2534
www.silksleura.com

Silk's provides a wonderful venue for groups, whether for a corporate event or simply friends getting together. The restaurant can accommodate groups of up to 60 guests and is happy to provide exclusive use of its dining room if required.

Working with clients, Silk's devises an event which runs smoothly and efficiently but which also has a great atmosphere. Many corporate and private clients return regularly, delighted with the famous Silk's attention to detail.

The doors at Silk's Brasserie are open every day of the week for lunch and dinner, a welcoming symbol of the best of Blue Mountains hospitality.