Andrew Hiebl , CEO of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux
Attempting to win support from government for industry policy positions in the first year of the threeyear electoral cycle is extremely difficult , but the business events industry cannot simply sit on its hands and watch competitor countries take market share away from Australia .
In 2016 , Australia ’ s standing in ICCA rankings slipped to 15th and Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed international delegate arrivals dropped by 11 per cent .
Association of Australian Convention Bureaux ( AACB ) research highlighted while our members secured 360 international business events in the Forward Calendar ( as at July 2016 ), 235 bids had been lost for the next decade .
Amid this backdrop , the AACB has again lodged a pre-budget submission to Treasury for 2017-18 which highlights five policy areas aimed at making Australia more internationally competitive in the business events industry .
As we did in lead-up to last year ’ s Federal Budget , the AACB is advocating for the establishment of a national bid fund of up to $ 10 million per year to attract more international association conventions to Australia . The fund presents the Turnbull government with an opportunity to co-invest with lower tiers of government , as well as the private sector to attract conventions of national significance to Australia .
Matt Hingerty , chair of the Business Events Council of Australia
It will be fascinating to see how the global trading environment evolves through 2017 , given the uncertainty around the recalibration of trade policy under the Trump administration . The Australian Government ’ s aggressive drive to finalise bilateral trade deals in recent years now looks quite prescient . Hopefully this had laid the groundwork for Australian industry to take advantage of an uncertain world and thereby generate expanding opportunities for the business events sector . With new business events infrastructure in Sydney and refreshed infrastructure elsewhere , Australia is well positioned to take advantage of emerging convention , exhibition and incentive opportunities . BECA will continue to lobby the Federal Government to recognise and assist the business events sector , particularly in our role of expanding the economic activity generated by trade-engaged industry sectors to the broader economy though the business events they generate .
Joyce DiMascio , CEO of Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia
Experience tells me those who work hard and stay nimble will be rewarded . The events industry mirrors what ’ s happening in the economy and in Australia and New Zealand , and events have a strong currency and a bright future .
The quality of the ‘ experience ’ created for event participants will drive its success and ensure the satisfaction of all participants . Whether it ’ s B2B or B2C , creating rich experiences must remain a major priority of event organisers . Event curation deserves appropriate investment and resourcing . This should be undertaken at the start of the planning phase . So in 2017 , make event curation a top priority .
Another area of critical importance is risk and safety . With changing threat levels in our communities , the nature of risk is evolving . The events industry has a responsibility to ensure it has reviewed its approach to risk management and factored in the broader nature of risk – including terror , random acts of violence , major weather episodes and cyber risk .
In 2016 , the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia ran a series of workshops to help our members better prepare . These education forums and workshops were invaluable but we have only just scratched the surface . More must be done in this area so that we can go forward with confidence and know that we have done the best job possible to protect our community , clients and businesses . The events industry must have well-rehearsed crisis management plans in place should an incident arise .
www . cimmagazine . com Convention & Incentive Marketing , Issue 1 , 2017 11