Joyce DiMascio
Head of Business Events Australia

Dear Industry Colleagues,

Tourism Australia’s annual Market Briefings are currently underway around Australia and business events has been high on the agenda. If you’ve been unable to attend any of these events, presentations are available online.

The four key messages in the business events component are:

• We are committed to building a stronger business events sector in Australia. It is a core priority for Tourism Australia. It has increased resources, established Business Events Australia and developed a distinct brand to underpin all trade marketing programs.
  
  
• We are expanding our co-operative marketing programs in 08/09 to add new tiers of partnerships to allow national operators the opportunity to invest in our trade marketing programs.
  
  
• We urge the business events sector to get better at ‘dimensioning’ the industry – this will help to create a stronger voice within government and the investment community
  
  
• We must continue to build a sustainable business events sector where both environment and community matter. Not only does this make good business sense but it is what our clients around the world expect from their providers.
  
  To read more, click here.

Dreamtime to be held in 2009

Dreamtime, Australia’s showcase of incentive product will be held in October/November 2009 and not in 2008. An expanded, high impact event is being planned to centre-stage Australia in this sector.

Minister welcomes Amway in Melbourne

Amway Greater China are rewarding 7,000 of its top sales people this month in Melbourne. This is the seventh incentive from Amway’s operations in Asia since 2005. In the past three years Australia has hosted more than 30,000 Amway delegates from the Asia region - generating significant economic benefits for Australia.

Read further information on this Amway incentive.

Business Events Australia at IMEX 2008

The new business events brand Business Events Australia will be rolled-out at IMEX 2008, which takes place in Frankfurt from 22-24 April. Germany is the world's third largest market for conferences and incentives and IMEX is the only international trade fair for the business events industry in Germany.

This year IMEX is expecting a record attendance with 450 hosted buyer groups already confirmed. Read further information about Tourism Australia’s presence at IMEX.

PAICE in New Zealand

In 2008 Tourism Australia's business events unit will strengthen its presence at the Pacific Area Incentives and Conferences Expo (PAICE) in New Zealand with new opportunities for exhibiting Australian sellers. The tradeshow will be held in Auckland on Tuesday 19 August.

PAICE is a showcase in which Australian conference and incentive suppliers can connect with corporate and association end-users, plus incentive houses and professional conference organisers. In 2007, more than 200 buyers visited the one-day event, with a strong turn-out from professional incentive and conference organisers. Stay tuned for upcoming Business Events Australia opportunities at PAICE 2008. For further information contact Robert O'Brien.

Tourism Australia contributes at 'Competing Globally' forum

As part of Tourism Australia’s commitment to business events, Managing Director Geoff Buckley spoke on a panel along-side leaders from Events NSW and The GPT Group, at the recently held market forum conducted by the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Geoff Buckley spoke to Business Events Australia’s three key areas of focus: a business events brand for the country, whole-of-government approach and sustainability. Read further information on this forum.

Business Events Australia at Tourism Australia Market Briefings

Over the past three weeks Tourism Australia has been conducting its annual Market Briefing sessions around the country. This year for the first time business events has been included and there has been an outstanding response from the business events sector.

“I was especially delighted to not only see Business Events recognised and included in the programme this year but also to note that nearly every international market sector summary identified Business Events as being of significant importance to ongoing growth.”

Anna Stewart, Queensland Convention & Incentives

Read further information about the Tourism Australia Market Briefings or to register visit the Trade Events website.Trade Events website.

Options for greening your business

Tourism Australia continues to promote the message that Australia is a sustainable business events destination.

Two organisations which provide industry accreditation for the business events sector are Green Globe and Ecotourism Australia.

Read further information on accreditation and certification options.

Applications open for MPI WEC in United States

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the industry’s only global knowledge and business exchange, drawing thousands of people from around the world to network and educate. This year Tourism Australia's business events team will be coordinating the Australia pavilion and has places for a maximum of 5 Australian business events products to exhibit.

Industry news

Minister attends MEA’s national conference
The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson will be attending the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) National Conference 2008 in Alice Springs in May.

Martin Winter appointed CEO of Gold Coast Tourism