Urge to host business events in Australia this year
The business events industry will play an integral part in rebuilding Australia’s visitor economy this year.
Businesses and event planners across the country are being urged to host business events in Australia to support bushfire impacted regions as well as other communities across Australia who have also been impacted from fewer visitors.
The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) commend the Australian Government on its prompt recovery response to the recent bushfires in some parts of Australia. Through its initial $76 million Tourism Recovery Fund, the Government will address the global misinformation and perceptions about the bushfires in Australia and stimulate travel to and within the country.
The AACB also praises Tourism Australia for the speed at which it has activated the additional investment by Government. Launched today, the Event Here This Year campaign is a domestic marketing initiative by Business Events Australia that will encourage Australian businesses and event planners to hold their meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions at home rather than abroad. This initiative will leverage Tourism Australia’s Holiday Here This Year campaign which also sends the message that Australia is open for business.
AACB CEO, Andrew Hiebl said, “Not many business events destinations across Australia were directly impacted by the bushfires, however some regional destinations are still feeling the impacts of other recent natural disasters.”
“Business events are typically long lead, but this targeted campaign will stimulate the short-term domestic meetings market and provide a much-needed boost to their local economies.”
As at July 2019, there were 401 international business events confirmed for Australia through to 2026 on AACB’s Forward Calendar, expected to attract around 475,000 total delegates. At this time, a further 256 international bids were awaiting a decision, scheduled to take place over the next seven years and could attract more than 250,000 total delegates. These statistics highlight the strategic long-term nature of the business events industry and the potential future risk pertaining to any negative perception of brand Australia and international travel today.
In addition, AACB’s member convention bureaux confirmed 530 domestic business events over the same period, expected to attract 236,000 total delegates. Any uptick in the domestic business events market over the next year through the Event Here This Year campaign could offset some impacts of international travel uncertainty at this time.
Mr Hiebl added, “A rallying cry of ’corporate mateship’ will support the many venues, hotels and restaurants that have been directly and indirectly impacted by the recent bushfires.”
“We look forward to working with the Australian Government and Tourism Australia on any future business events initiative to further stimulate the industry and jobs”.
“Bureaux around the country are also paying attention to the impact of the recent Coronavirus forcing travel restrictions out of China and potential impacts to incentive group travel.”
Business Events Australia has developed a series of campaign assets to urge organisations to hold their events here this year. The toolkit can be found at www.businessevents.australia.com.
To find a convention bureau to assist with your upcoming meeting or event in Australia, visit www.aacb.org.au.
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This article was featured in:
- Conference & Meetings World, Right here, right now, Down Under, 28 January 2020
- Association Meetings International, Coronavirus 'could impact' Australia's recovery efforts, 28 January 2020
- CIM Business Events, It's time to keep your events in Australia, 29 January 2020