Barry Neame, President of the Professional Conference Organisers Association has proudly represented our association and its members at the recent ACCI Tourism Committee meeting in Canberra. The day was filled with discussions on crucial topics impacting the tourism industry. With workforce issues, Tourism Australia Bid Fund Grants, Visa policies for tourism, and airline cancellations on the agenda, it was evident that the challenges facing the sector were being addressed head-on.

Following the productive discussions, the function at Parliament House hosted by ACCI and Parliamentary Friends of Tourism provided a platform for further engagement. With over 30 politicians from diverse regions of Australia in attendance, including the board of Tourism Australia, it was an opportune moment to advocate for the importance of business events in driving local economies and national employment.

The positive reception from the politicians, who were actively listening to the concerns and suggestions put forward, was encouraging. It indicated a willingness to engage with the tourism industry and work towards addressing its needs and challenges. Overall, the day’s events left us feeling optimistic about the future of the tourism sector and the potential for collaboration between government bodies and industry stakeholders to drive growth and resilience.