Welcome to the latest instalment of industry news from Business Events Australia (BEA), where we share updates on our current marketing and distribution activities to grow and support Australia’s business events industry.
We’re always keen to hear about what’s happening in our industry so please continue to share your news and updates and contact us with any questions.
Latest News
Applications for the Advance Program opening soon
Second round applications for Tourism Australia’s internationally focused marketing and distribution partnership program will be open from 9 November 2020. Industry are encouraged to submit applications to receive financial and marketing support through Business Events Australia for industry-led projects which aim to increase consideration of Australia for new international business events or grow international delegate attendance for events already confirmed for Australia. Proposed projects must be completed by 30 June 2021. Applications close 30 November 2020. For full details and to apply online see the Advance Program Prospectus.
Showcasing Australia through our media buy
Our international marketing activity continues to showcase Australia as a business events destination to maintain demand for when Australia’s borders reopen to international travel. In the USA, we’re talking all things Australia and introducing the Crystalbrook Collection to the North American audience in a podcast with Meetings Today; in CMW Magazine in the United Kingdom (UK), the focus is on sustainability in Melbourne, with a feature looking at the Melbourne Skyfarm project and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s sustainable attitude; and in C&IT, also in the UK, we’re looking ahead to three new openings in Australia for 2021, in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, to offer inspiration to UK planners considering Australia for future events.
Virtual distribution continues to keep Australia top of mind
Our virtual distribution activity continues across several markets to keep customers excited about Australia while travel here is paused. After a successful first episode, a second Spotlight on Australia was delivered to North American planners, featuring Uluṟu, Brisbane and Howard Smith Wharves, along with a koala encounter at Rainforestation Nature Park in Tropical North Queensland. The BEA team also attended a virtual version of The Meetings Show – a primarily UK and Europe focussed trade show with an expanding global ambition. Despite tough times in many of the attending buyers’ markets, the event resulted in four leads for Australia for events from late 2021 until 2024. This week also saw the wrap-up of a series of webinars for customers in South East Asia, for which BEA partnered with nine Australian convention bureaux to provide updates on Australia.
Helping industry keep up with the latest meeting restrictions around Australia
To help both international and domestic planners understand and navigate the changing landscape for business events in Australia, Business Events Australia is regularly updating its Coronavirus information for business events page. Those wishing to access the latest information should bookmark this page to access the latest restriction information – where an updated document with all the latest details is uploaded each week.
