Australia DMC – Destination Management
Why Australia?
G’day,
Australia is an island, a country and a continent but most of all it is a dream destination offering spectacular scenery, unique experiences and hidden gems.
- The Australian landscape offers true diversity with deserts, coral reefs, rainforests, beautiful beaches and more.
- Whether it’s enjoying the great food and award-winning wines whilst visiting the sophisticated cities of Sydney and Melbourne or taking in the natural beauty of our World Heritage sites, Australia has it all.
- Sure, most destinations around the world have friendly locals but an Aussie welcome will last long in the memory. If you thought the people were friendly, wait ’til you meet our native animals up close and personal.
- With so many memorable experiences for the most discerning incentive or meeting programme packed into one island, where does one start? With our infographic of course.
With the ability to design and deliver programmes across Australia, the dynamic team at Ovation Australia DMC can bring a creative twist and bespoke experience to your next meeting, incentive or event.
Our strong supplier relationships, extensive experience in operations and complex logistics ensure seamless delivery every time. We truly pride ourselves in offering total event solutions and a uniquely Australian experience – we love what we do and provide that all-important personal touch on every programme.
Contact Australia
What makes Australia unique for corporate events and incentive programs?
Australia enables “harbour-to-outback” programs with iconic venues, strong hotel inventory and reliable infrastructure, making it ideal for high-impact incentives and large-scale corporate events.
Australia allows planners to combine iconic city experiences with bucket-list nature in one itinerary. Major hubs like Sydney provide strong event infrastructure and international connectivity, plus standout experiences that work well for incentives and recognition programs. This mix supports both large delegate events and premium experiences, with operational reliability and scalable venue options.
What types of corporate programs can Ovation deliver in Australia?
Ovation supports incentives, conferences, gala dinners and executive programs, combining venue sourcing, logistics and on-site delivery with curated “signature” experiences.
Programs can range from executive offsites and high-touch incentives to large conferences and celebrations, with end-to-end destination management. Depending on the brief, itineraries can integrate iconic city experiences, harbour formats, culinary and cultural elements, and nature add-ons while keeping logistics controlled.
What are the most popular venues or experiences in Australia for corporate events?
Australia offers iconic, high-prestige venues and experiences in key cities, ideal for gala dinners, VIP receptions and conference add-ons.
Australia’s city hubs support premium corporate formats with internationally recognised landmarks and high-quality hospitality infrastructure. Depending on the city and program style, planners can combine a “hero” venue moment with supporting venues for breakouts, receptions and networking, plus signature activities that create strong attendee memories.
What is the typical group size Ovation handles in Australia?
Ovation can support a wide range, from small executive groups to large incentive and conference programs, depending on city and venue strategy.
Australia’s main cities can scale well thanks to hotel inventory and venue choice. Group sizing is typically determined by the program format (executive retreat vs. incentive vs. conference) and timing, with flexibility to design either high-touch or high-volume itineraries.
When is the best time to plan a corporate event in Australia?
Australia works year-round; the best timing depends on the city and desired experience, with seasonality varying by region.
Because Australia’s climate varies by region, the ideal season depends on where the program is based and whether the itinerary includes outdoor-heavy experiences. For peak dates, earlier booking improves venue and hotel choice and reduces cost pressure.
We have done group incentive travel all over the world, and the Ovation Australia team ranks at the top of the list when it comes to spending time to understand what customer impact you are trying to achieve, and then, despite an impossibly short time frame, they deliver magnificent events beyond your expectations. The team are rock stars. If you are serious about outstanding group travel results, hire the Ovation Australia team – and then relax.
Our company executed our 3 most exclusive incentives for our top distributor groups to Queenstown, Melbourne and Sydney. The service that we received from Ovation Australia was outstanding, from the planning to the execution of the event. The staff were really helpful, professional, they had the best attitude and it is without doubt one of the best incentive events ever performed. We also received a very high percentage of satisfaction in our surveys and this for sure was in good part because of Ovation Australia.
I've worked with Ovation teams all over the world to plan virtual events since lockdown, and I am always blown away by their work; Sonja and Liliana are two of their best. I have now done two events with them (virtual for us, but in person for their teams) and they are fantastic to work with. They pull in incredible, genuine vendors, who highlight the most amazing sites and experiences in New Zealand. They are responsive, professional, and fun to work with - hosting all events with positive energy and enthusiasm. Each event is an improvement of the last and I look forward to continuing to work with them on cutting edge and revolutionary experiences- and hopefully seeing them again in person someday!
Take a look at our sample meeting and incentive programmes in Australia to find out how you can make the most of your trip to this fascinating country.
Our Team
Sonja Söderbom | Director, Destination Management
Sonja is a thought leader in the Australian DMC space bringing over 20 years’ of experience in meetings, incentives and events management. With a strong operations background, Sonja has designed, project lead and executed award-winning programs from 20 to 13,000 people across all industry sectors including high-profile corporate incentives for the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
Leonie Tonge | Account Director
Leonie is a talented Director of both Incentive Programs and Events and produces outstanding results for her clients. With a strong 17 years in the industry, Leonie has extensive experience working with clients from all over the world, driven by a determination to make every event a memorable experience she is focused on exceeding her client's objectives through creativity, logistics, strong budget management and in-depth destination knowledge. Leonie is warm and personable and is able to develop a bond and connection with her clients that assists in anticipating their needs and providing a true partnership. Her experience and achievements in her role have gained her a highly respected position in the Incentives and Events Industry.
Sara Halbwirth | Account Director
With 15 years experience in the tourism and events industry, Sara's expertise lies in full event lifecycle management, from pitch development to on-site operational delivery. Her strong client management skills, coupled with extensive budget management expertise and problem solving abilities ensures seamless execution of programs. Having worked in renowned event destinations, Sara possesses a deep understanding of the MICE market and has developed strong relationships with national and international representatives.
Maggie Diasinos | Account Director
With over 23 years of experience in hotels, Maggie brings extensive experience in client management, event operations and negotiation to our Ovation Oceania team. Maggie’s passion is creating the ultimate meeting, incentive or event in Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Fiji as a leading DMC brand and looks to create lasting memories and lifelong friendships for everyone who experiences an Ovation program. She has held positions on the SITE Australia New Zealand Board, lead projects aligned with the FIFA Women’s World Cup and worked across many brands in the Automotive, IT, Finance and Real Estate sectors.
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17 February, 2026Discover other destinations around the world. We have it all! We invite you to navigate and experience our services from the hand of our experts. Whenever and wherever you want, we make it happen!