Venuezi receives over $2 million in booking requests in 2 days

Revolutionary hospitality website Venuezi.com attracted $2.5 million worth of wedding and hen’s party enquiries in two days from presenting at Brisbane’s Sofitel Wedding Expo.Venuezi (pronounced Venue Easy) allows people to submit their function or event request and receive quotes from venues for free. Launched in late 2011, the site has been gaining the interest of major hospitality operators and the public since.

Managing Director Jason Titman said: “The interest from the public has been phenomenal. Coinciding with our participation in the Sofitel Wedding Expo there was $2 million in wedding enquiries posted on the website in just two days. Our problem at the moment is that we can’t sign venues up quickly enough to support the demand from the public.”

Venuezi’s founders are adamant the current process of booking functions and events is antiquated and with strong demand for new online models, they knew there had to be an easier way to book functions. Designed by leading hospitality industry operators, Venuezi.com is transforming how people book their functions and events.

The site allows members who are planning a function to list their requirements on the site for free. Partner venues pay a monthly access fee to quote on these function requests. Members then pick the quote that suits their requirements and book the function directly with the venue. The site is big on protecting user privacy and member contact details are not released to any venue unless they actually proceed with a quote.

The site saves members:
• Thinking of venue options
• Looking up and then contacting a number of different venues
• Chasing up their enquiry

Video: Venuezi at the Sofitel Bridal Expo January 2012 from Venuezi on Vimeo.

-Ends-
---
Media enquiries:
Samuel Spurr, Inlumino Communications, 0438 501 005, sam@inlumino.com.au
Jason Titman, Venuezi.com, 1300 836 839

Sydney designer Alex Lehours releases limited edition t-shirt

Ahead of a busy street art and design schedule in 2012, up-and-coming Sydney artist Alex Lehours has released a limited edition t-shirt available to the public. The one-off t-shirt is based on his signature ‘100% Minty Fresh’ artwork.

Alex knows a thing or two about t-shirts. His designs were recently showcased in the ‘NEXT’ t-shirt design section of Cockatoo Island’s OUTPOST ‘Art from the streets’ exhibition, and his ‘Paint the Town Red’ design was selected from hundreds of entries by Australian hip hop group Thundamentals as their official t-shirt for their national tour.

Alex said: “My inspiration comes from pop art, comics, pin-ups, and mixing vintage with a contemporary edge. My art also has a lot of dark, twisted, quirky humour. This limited edition t-shirt combines a unique design with that dark, but subtle, humour.”

Regarded by himself as a freshman to the commercial art scene, Alex is an artist with no boundaries. His work is a combination of the past and present. Pen, pencil, ink and water colour frequently appear in Alex's work, however he is constantly exploring new mediums and avenues for all of his pieces.

Alex has worked on numerous international and domestic projects including work for FBI Radio, The Australian Museum's Jurassic Lounge, Primo Magazine, The Pin Up Parlour, and ING Direct. He was also a contestant in the 2011 Secret Wars Sydney Series.

Ladies & men’s T-shirts are $40 and can be ordered from www.alexlehours.com

-Ends-

Photos attached:
Alex-Lehours: Alex Lehours wearing his signature 100% Minty Fresh design
Alex-Lehours LE t-shirt: Alex Lehours’ Limited Edition t-shirts
---
Media enquiries: Samuel Spurr, Inlumino Communications, 0438 501 005, sam@inlumino.com.au

Venuezi the ‘game changer’ of events and hospitality industry

New online venue booking portal Venuezi.com (Venue Easy) is set to revolutionise the way the public searches for venues, and how venue managers respond to enquiries and book their venues.

Venuezi’s three business-savvy, hospitality-focused founders Jason Titman and brothers Rak and Anesan Naidoo, regard the venture as a “game changer” for the events and hospitality industry.

Managing Director Jason Titman said: “We are committed to developing a solution that is a Win/Win for both the consumer and the venues. The word from the industry seems to be, ‘bring it on’ and ‘why hasn’t someone thought of this before?’”

Members join Venuezi for free, posting their function requirements including date, preferred location, guest numbers and space requirements anonymously. Venuezi’s venue partners then respond to enquiries, pitching their venue to the prospective client.

Venuezi’s consumer value comes from the time and money saved from receiving multiple quotes from multiple venues from just one enquiry. Venuezi’s value to venue managers and the hospitality industry is that they can “fish where the fish are”. Instead of waiting for the phone to ring, Venuezi’s partners have access to a pool of potential customers searching for their ideal venue.

Marketing Director Anesan Naidoo said: “Venuezi’s competitive monthly fee, when compared to traditional advertising costs, makes it the most attractive form of advertising a venue should invest in.”

Venuezi doesn’t solely cater to customers looking for party venues. All types of functions and events are promoted including weddings, meetings, conferences and corporate events.
-Ends-
---
Media enquiries: Samuel Spurr, Inlumino Communications, 0438 501 005, sam@inlumino.com.au twitter.com/inlumino twitter.com/venuezi

Commonwealth champ Dominic Vea to face Shane Cameron on Green undercard

Commonwealth cruiserweight champion Dominic Vea (AUS) will defend his belt against former heavyweight Shane Cameron (NZ) in the headline bout on the Danny Green vs Antonio Tarver undercard on 20 July in Sydney.

Vea (13-2, 10KO) is expecting a tough fight against Cameron, but acknowledges the New Zealander is still adjusting to his recent move down to cruiserweight.

Dominic says, “I’ve watched a lot of tape of Cameron at heavyweight and cruiserweight. He’s got decent speed but it’s a new ball game for him after only one fight at the true cruiserweight limit. He will struggle against a fighter of my calibre.”

This will be the Commonwealth champion’s first fight in a year. His last hit-out was a bruising encounter in July 2010, when Vea claimed the Commonwealth title despite entering the ring with a broken nose.

“Time out of the ring has really freshened me up,” says Vea. “It feels great to be injury-free and training intensely again.”

Vea’s training regime now includes daily morning sessions with renowned trainer Ray Kelly before another two hours each afternoon at Core Strength Gym Mt Druitt.

-Ends-
Interview/photo opportunity:
By appointment. Please contact Sam Spurr 0438 501 005 to arrange.

---
Media enquiries: Sam Spurr - Inlumino Communications, 0438 501 005, sam@inlumino.com.au Twitter: @inlumino #DomVEA

Simon Bernhardt exhibiting new prints from Polaroid photography project

Sydney photographer Simon Bernhardt will be exhibiting enlarged prints from his Polaroid photography project ‘Polaroid Holiday’ at Paddington’s Global Gallery from 13 April to 1 May.

Simon’s collection of Polaroid photos showcases his love affair with photography, the natural and built environments, and his interest in Polaroid cameras. This fourth exhibition, this time combined with other Australian artists, will again present Polaroid photography as a valid medium as it is often dismissed as merely a ‘fun, adolescent’ format.

Simon will be discussing his Polaroid art and signing copies of his self-published book Polaroid Holiday at the gallery’s ‘Meet the Artist’ session from 2pm on Saturday 30 April.

“Polaroid cameras conjure up distant memories of poorly focused banal happy snaps of slightly inebriated relatives in silly hats at family celebrations or while on holidays, but emphatically not leading edge creativity,” Simon enthuses.

In 2002, with the rise of digital photography, Simon sensed that the format would disappear so he bought close to one hundred boxes of Polaroid film. Intrigued by the format since he first experimented with it, he tinkered with the camera itself to ensure the best quality print.

“Polaroid was the first instant gratification photography. You didn’t have to wait for your parents to pick-up the film. I found this aspect of Polaroid photography really interesting,” says the Stanmore local.

-Ends-

Media / Photo Opportunity:
By appointment: Wednesday 13 April – Friday 22 April
Global Gallery, 5 Comber Street Paddington
---
For media enquiries, contact Sam Spurr, Inlumino Communications, on 0438 501 005 or email sam@inlumino.com.au

Sydney photographer Simon Bernhardt's 'Polaroid Holiday' in the news

- Click on images to view larger file -

Inner West Courier 30.11.2010

Sydney Morning Herald 24.11.2010

‘Polaroid Holiday’ exhibition set to challenge notions of Polaroid photography

Sydney photographer Simon Bernhardt will be exhibiting his Polaroid photography project ‘Polaroid Holiday’ at Paddington’s Blender Gallery from November 23-30.

Simon’s collection of Polaroid photos will showcase his love affair with photography, the natural and built environments, and his interest in Polaroid cameras. The exhibition is set to challenge the artistic community’s thoughts on Polaroid photography as a valid medium, often dismissed as merely a ‘fun, adolescent’ format.

In 2002, with the rise of digital photography, Simon sensed that the format would disappear so he bought close to one hundred boxes of Polaroid film. Intrigued by the format since he first experimented with it, he tinkered with the camera itself to ensure the best quality print.

“I removed the plastic lens and replaced it with glass,” explains Simon. “I covered the case’s tiny gaps with black tape to prevent even the tiniest amount of light prematurely exposing the film. I’ve even used a tripod and spirit level to get the most from my shots.”

“Polaroid cameras conjure up distant memories of poorly focused banal happy snaps of slightly inebriated relatives in silly hats at family celebrations or while on holidays, but emphatically not leading edge creativity,” Simon enthuses.

The exhibition’s opening night will also be the launch his self-published book featuring selected prints from his ‘Polaroid Holiday’ project.

“Polaroid was the first instant gratification photography. You didn’t have to wait for your parents to pick-up the film. I found this aspect of Polaroid photography really interesting,” says the Stanmore local.

‘Polaroid Holiday’ will be exhibited at Paddington’s Blender Gallery, 16 Elizabeth Street, from Tuesday 23 November until Tuesday 30 November. Gallery enquiries ph 9380 7080.

-Ends-

Media Invitation:
Media are invited to attend Simon’s Polaroid Holiday Opening Night and book launch:
Thursday, 25 November, 6-8pm, Blender Gallery, 16 Elizabeth Street, Paddington. Please RSVP to sam@inlumino.com.au by Monday 22 November.

Photo Opportunity:
By appointment: Tuesday 23 November - Thursday 25 November, Blender Gallery, or at Simon’s residence/studio.

About Simon Bernhardt:
Australian photographer Simon Bernhardt first started his career in Sydney. Through his artistic flair, intense dedication to perfection and quirky sense of humour, Bernhardt is well-known for his special connection between camera and subject.

Bernhardt’s work is regularly featured in magazines such as Hong Kong Cosmopolitan, Couture, DCM Magazine, Emirates Woman, Fashion Handbook, Sydney Wedding Fashion, and The Sydney Morning Herald Essentials. His work has also been published in ACB Beauty, Art of Cosmetic Beauty Australia and USA, Black & White Magazine, Celebrations, Good Weekend Magazine, Marie Claire, and 100k+ Magazine.

About Polaroid Holiday:
This photographic odyssey captures rhythm and energy which transforms the everyday into beautiful nuanced images. The images included in the self-published book range from scenes of central Europe in winter, to studies of stark urban alienation. Polaroid Holiday will be stocked in Sydney’s leading independent book store Kinokuniya at The Galleries Victoria, Sydney.
Simon Bernhardt’s fascination with the Polaroid began as a small child and has developed into a spectacular creative obsession. The Polaroid camera is the photographic equivalent of brick-sized mobile phones. Through astute modification, Simon has transformed it into a contemporary tool, capable of conveying subtlety of mood and texture.

---
For media enquiries, contact Sam Spurr, Inlumino Communications, on 0438 501 005 or email sam@inlumino.com.au