PCOs meet again!

PCOs meet again!

Tourism Portfolio recently welcomed and hosted a group of Senior PCO partners overnight in the Hunter Valley to showcase our newest offsite venues in our portfolio – Ben Ean & Peterson House.

“With the borders currently closed there is no better time to explore NSW. The Hunter Valley’s close proximity to Sydney is an ideal destination for events and Ben Ean and Peterson House have great spaces for offsite events, meetings & team building activities. It was a good chance to showcase them and a great chance to sample some of the famous Hunter wines.” - Donna Kessler.

From us at Tourism Portfolio and on behalf of Ben Ean & Peterson House we would like to thank those who attended very much for the time you spent with us in the Hunter Valley. Thank you to our famil partners Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Tulloch Wines, Elysia Wellness Retreat, Rover Coaches & Vineyard Shuttle Service.

Here is a glimpse in to what we got up to on our 24 hours in the Hunter.

There was certainly enthusiasm from the group eager to dust off the COVID cobwebs!

First stop - Elysia Wellness Retreat the perfect option for Corporate Executive retreats . A presentation on Sleep had the opposite effect on the group - we left wanting more!  Just one of the many health and detox programs available for guests.   As leaders in the health and wellness industry, the team at Elysia Wellness Retreat will help discover a new, transformative way to see life as you balance your mind, body, and spirit.

Onto Ben Ean to showcase six offsite dinner venue options onsite.  They were fortunate to meet one of the Hunter Valley's true pioneers Brian McGuigan, a true character.  If you’ve never experienced a private tasting at Ben Ean in the 1907 Still House, it has been sympathetically restored to its glory.

Over 12 wines were tasted and Sommelier Michael & his trusty assistant ensured that glasses were filled to the brim and not a drop wasted.  The group had to work for their lunch with a fun pizza-making competition, an ideal team experience.  It was a tight finish but the winners were Michelle Sargent (CWT Meetings) and her sous chef Adam (TP) for their Mediterranean inspired pizza - the Mediterranean Princess! (Later renamed to feature on the Ben Ean menu that evening).  

"The wine tasting experience was exceptional and I would love to offer to clients. The pizza making was also hilarious."

“LOVED the still house - so much history and such a beautiful intimate location. Great for small incentive groups. Garden terrace is great for arrival drinks and courtyard is a fantastic space with lots of opportunity. As it is such a large space, with the current restrictions in place it still provide so many options which is great."

“Two favourite spaces - the Garden Terrace and the upstairs larger room - excellent option for offsite dinner and/ or team building. Also of course LOVED the Still Room and this is a great option for a small team/ executive dinner experience.”

On to Tulloch Wines for a unique group activity, and some more wine tasting. 

Overnight we enjoyed Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley - the largest supplier in the Hunter for accommodation and conferencing and a great partner.

Peterson House really out did themselves with a fabulous progressive dinner showcasing the different spaces including the newly built, beautiful sandstone Chapel for offsite events.

Peterson House, part of our portfolio, is a specialist producer of sparkling wines in the Hunter Valley and has three unique venues overlooking the vines for your next offsite dinner.

"I loved all spaces as they offered something very different."

“The chapel was absolutely gorgeous, great space for smaller groups and really has the WOW factor. The marquee is great for gala dinners. I know that we were meant to have pre-drinks in the vineyard which would also be a great selling point to our clients.”

In regards to the progressive dinner,

“Such a wonderful idea, great way to see and experience all the different venues.”

“Loved it. Clients often request this option and difficult to execute at many venues”

After a delightful breakfast hosted by Crowne, unfortunately we had to depart satisfied we’d not only enjoyed the wines the region has to offer but a great update on the activity and product available.  

“It was a perfect reminder of what the Hunter offers. Conferencing for now is staying closer to home.  It was really useful and I had no idea Peterson and Ben Ean had these spaces”