More than 600 domestic business events have been secured by Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) members across the country according to the latest analysis of bids won scheduled to occur from January 2019 out to 2023.
This is an increase of 119 business events on the Forward Calendar compared to the position 12 months ago and will attract approximately 250,000 Australian delegates, plus an additional 7,400 from overseas.
According to the Business Events Council of Australia, business events directly contribute more than $30 billion to the Australian economy, boosting tourism and supporting small and large businesses, employing almost 200,000 people.
Welcoming the report, Senator the Hon Jonathon Duniam, Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism said it is an exciting time for business events in Australia, with conventions bureaux driving domestic growth for their respective destinations – returning great benefits to local businesses and jobs.
“It is pleasing to see in the report a case study from my own home state of Tasmania, highlighting the positive impacts of business events on local accommodation. Domestic business events are a great opportunity for regional Australia to showcase their unique tourism offerings that make them attractive to visit beyond the event.”
Releasing its biannual Forward Calendar of Domestic Business Events, AACB CEO Andrew Hiebl said it was pleasing to see an increase in exhibitions secured by convention bureaux, now seeing 67% of domestic association conventions won including a trade component, and further supporting Australian businesses to promote their products and services.
“With the increase in domestic business events secured for the future, it is evident that convention bureaux across Australia are working hard for their members and partners, contributing positively to Australia’s economy, and facilitating knowledge and skills transfer that lifts business productivity. A strong calendar of domestic business events also provides a solid platform to bid for international opportunities.” Mr Hiebl said.
The top three industry sectors represented on the forward calendar include:
• health care and social assistance
• education and training, and
• professional, scientific and technical services.
The report includes a case study, conducted in partnership with STR, on the accommodation impact of the 15th National Rural Health Conference, which attracted 1,100 delegates over three days in Hobart. Hobart hotels posted an average 53 per cent increase in RevPAR during the three main event days compared with the same the week the week prior.
To view the latest Forward Calendar of Domestic Business Events and find out more about the business events industry, visit aacb.org.au/forwardcalendar