Following extensive lobbying by the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), of which PCOA is a member, the economic value of business events to the Australian economy has received significant further recognition in the Federal Government’s tourism policy.
The Hon. Steven Ciobo, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, has announced Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program will receive $12m over the next three years.
This is one of the most significant announcements for the business events industry in recent times.
The investment will help PCOs and their clients to bring international business events to Australia.
It will help Australia attract more international conventions, which boost trade, investment, and jobs, and will allow PCOs to showcase their capabilities on the world stage.
“This investment, we believe, will be returned to the Australian economy many times over,” PCO president Barry Neame said.
“This is a great outcome from the ongoing discussions by BECA with the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.”
Barry Neame CEM
President
PCO Association