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28 February 2025

Business Events Australia Industry Update

Welcome to the Business Events Australia industry newsletter with the latest updates on Tourism Australia’s marketing and distribution activities to drive demand and support for Australia’s business events industry.

We’re always keen to hear what’s happening across Australia so please continue to share your news and updates and contact us with any questions.

LATEST NEWS

BID FUND PROGRAM HITS A$1B IN ECONOMIC IMPACT

Prior to the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) trade show in Melbourne / Narrm, Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell announced Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program has secured more than A$1 billion worth of new international business events for Australia.

The multi-million dollar Bid Fund Program helps to ensure Australia maintains a competitive edge against other international destinations by offering financial support at the critical bidding stage and securing a pipeline of future business events in partnership with our Australian industry. For more information on the Business Events Bid Fund Program, visit the Business Events Australia website.

AUSTRALIA ON SHOW

Tourism Australia’s specialist unit, Business Events Australia, recently hosted a group of international association professional conference organisers (PCOs) from Europe and North America, and a trade media representative to showcase why there's nothing like Australia for business events.

The group travelled to Melbourne / Narrm to experience the city's business events offering and attended the AIME trade show hosted by Melbourne Convention Bureau. The group then headed to Brisbane / Meanjin where they met with industry before experiencing the city's sites with Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. As a result of the visit the professional conference organisers were able to experience first-hand the impressive quality of Australia’s convention centres, offsite venues, food and wine and the focus on sustainability across the industry.

AIME

Earlier this month, members of the Tourism Australia team attended AIME to meet with international business events planners, media and to connect with Australian industry.

The team hosted Sunday brunch for the international hosted buyers and media at the Port Melbourne Yacht Club in Melbourne/ Narrm prior to the start of AIME. In partnership with Melbourne Convention Bureau, Tourism Australia's Executive General Manager of Commercial and Business Events Australia Robin Mack welcomed the guests to Australia and highlighted why there is nothing like Australia for business events.

Managing Director Phillipa Harrison joined the opening media conference on the Monday to talk about Tourism Australia’s work, including the Business Events Bid Fund Program, and partnership with industry.

During AIME Tourism Australia’s General Manager Business Events, Kelly Maynard, presented at the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) Convention Bureau Pillar Meeting, and attended the ABEA Leaders Forum event alongside Robin Mack.

AUSTRALIA NEXT MAGAZINE

Tourism Australia has reimagined its Australia Next magazine to assist planners when pitching Australia as a business events destination. Now hosted on the Business Events Australia website, planners can easily read the inspiring content, search the magazine and re-package the content directly into presentations. Whilst the platform has changed, the familiar style of the magazine hasn’t. Planners will still find bite-sized, insightful content featuring new product and experiences to help them plan their next program in Australia.

In this latest edition of Australia Next magazine, we feature an interview with Nornie Bero about Australia’s evolving food scene. A local shares their inside tips on where to go on the Gold Coast, and an international planner details experiences from their recent visit to Cairns / Gimuy and Brisbane / Meanjin. This edition also uncovers new venues and accommodation, plus the chance to discover wellness experiences and explore Melbourne / Narrm in a three-day program pitch.