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| INTRODUCTION |
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Welcome to the final issue of our e-newsletter for 2007. We end the year very upbeat having just completed an intense period of hosting famils from the UK, US and NZ all generously supported by our Convention Bureau partners and airlines.
These famils help us to overcome the barriers associated with distance and time. In every visit, the feedback from corporate buyers, agents and media was outstanding. So thank you to all our partners.
Over the next three months, we head into a most intense |
and exciting phase. Tourism Australia will be back at AIME with a slick stand just opposite our VIP partner, Qantas. At AIME, we will brief the industry on our sharpened focus on Business Events and roll-out our brand positioning for Australia as a Business Events destination. This will underpin all our trade marketing.
The Business Events brand work will be phased-in over a few months starting at AIME in February, our 10th Anniversary of TABEE in March and through our presence at IMEX in April. So it’s a big strong start from Tourism Australia for 2008.
We are also looking forward to working with our new Minister, Martin Ferguson. Already, our Chief Executive, Geoff Buckley and Marketing Director, Nick Baker have met with the Minister in Canberra and there is enormous confidence and energy around having a voice for our sector within the Cabinet.
In one of his first interviews after being elected, Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd told 7.30 report’s Kerry O’Brien that his Government would lead with “evidence-based policy and decision making.”
This would indicate that it’s crucial that compelling data is collected from the industry to better “dimension” the strength and impact of the business events industry. The Business Events sector would benefit from the example of other industries which have assumed responsibility for such measurement. Tourism Australia is committed to supporting the industry in this regard. See story below.
On the sustainability agenda, recent developments in Bali set the scene for the BE industry to be even more active about managing Australia’s reputation and profile.
Tourism Australia will market Australia’s capacity to deliver sustainable events. AIME 2008 will be a headland occasion for Australia as it showcases this capacity - Melbourne will set a new benchmark for leadership in delivering more responsible best-practice. Indeed, AIME will be one of the first major Australian “climate neutral” business events. For more info, click here.
In closing, on behalf of the BE team from Sydney and around the world our best wishes for the festive season to you and your staff. We hope you can take a little time to spend with those you love most.
Best wishes,
Joyce DiMascio
Head of Tourism Events Australia |
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| THIS EDITION |
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| TOURISM EVENTS AUSTRALIA NEWS |
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GREEN SURVEY PROVIDES VALUABLE INSIGHT |
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Thank you to all those who people who participated in our “Sustainability in Business Events” Survey which was sent out in the October edition of TEA News. The survey shows that although steps have been taken towards greening up our industry operations, there is still a lot to be done to ensure we meet our sustainability goals.
- 54% of respondents indicated that they have a sustainable business practice policy as part of their systems and procedures
- Only 36% of respondents have used an ecological footprint calculator
- 37% of respondents offer eco friendly product alternatives to their Business Events clients. Of those who answered “No” to this question, 30% said that they plan to develop eco friendly product in 2008.
- 27% of companies had implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plan. Of this 27%, 77% said that their CSR plan reviewed the environmental impact of their operations
- 87% of respondents indicated they had undertaken steps to minimise waste in their workplace. Other initiatives included reducing the production of printed publications, re-using ebergy from air-conditioning systems to heat pools, hot water and dry clothes and making progress towards becoming a carbon neutral company.
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NEW BUSINESS EVENTS BENCHMARK DATA |
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In recent months, we have worked with Tourism Research Australia to introduce new questions about the meetings sector in International Visitors Survey and the National Visitors Survey. This is a major breakthrough and has been welcomed by the industry. The new questions will kick in from surveys in January 2008 and will provide new benchmark data about our targeted markets. Click here for a fact sheet.
In addition, Tourism Australia we will be producing quarterly analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data on travel to Australia by purpose of visit and market. The first of these reports is included in this e-newsletter. Click here for a fact sheet.
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WELCOME DEANNA VARGA |
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SCVB Strategic Alliance Director, Deanna Varga will be joining Tourism Events Australia in January as Business Events Project Manager.
This is a key role in the team - Deanna will have responsibility for a range of trade marketing partnership programs. We are delighted to welcome Deanna to the team. |
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TOURISM AUSTRALIA AT EIBTM 2007 |
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Tourism Australia and 13 partners exhibited at leading global meetings and incentive travel event, European Incentive Business Travel (EIBTM) 2007, last month in Barcelona. The event saw a significant increase in both hosted buyers and trade visitors.
Visitor numbers were estimated at over 7,000 – an increase of over 20 per cent on last year’s attendance. The Australia stand was extremely popular throughout the show, with many visitors enjoying the ‘Taste of Australia’ theme.
For more information on IMEX, click here.
For more information on Tourism Australia Business Events activities in UK/Europe, click here. |
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AWARD WIN FOR DM CAMPAIGN |
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Tourism Australia’s global business events campaign has won a bronze award in the 2007 Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA) Awards. The campaign, ‘Re-energise in Australia’ created by M&C Saatchi was placed in the travel and entertainment category. The campaign has achieved tremendous cut-through with the targeted decision makers, influencers and intermediaries. It is currently running in key markets across Asia.
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NEW BUSINESS EVENTS GUIDE FOR UK/EUROPE |
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Tourism Australia UK/Europe has partnered with Conference & Incentive Travel magazine, and Qantas to produce a 20-page ‘Re-energise in Australia’ Business Events guide for UK and European event planners. The guide was included in the November issue of the magazine, which has a readership of over 16,000, and was officially launched at the Tourism Australia stand at EIBTM (European Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition) at the end of November.
For more information about Tourism Australia Business Events activities in the UK, please click here. |
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| NEW ZEALAND CORPORATE FAMILIARISATION |
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8-11 November 2007
Last month Tourism Australia, Adelaide Convention Tourism Authority and Air New Zealand hosted the 2007 New Zealand Corporate familiarisation program. A total of eight delegates from around New Zealand attended the four-day program which revealed the business events capabilities of Adelaide and South Australia. |
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Some of the activities included a day trip to the Barossa Valley with delegates blending their own wine at Penfolds Estate and a relaxing Chi Ball yoga session on the beach at Glenelg.
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UNITED KINGDOM AGENTS FAMILIARISATION |
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8-13 November 2007
Tourism Australia partnered with Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau, Sydney Convention Bureau and Etihad Airways to host the 2007 United Kingdom Agents familiarisation program. Eight delegates from incentive and corporate meetings agencies across the UK attended a six-day program on the Sunshine Coast and in Sydney. |
| The delegates experienced the best of what both destinations had to offer including a team building sail on Sydney Harbour, a Harley Davidson ride to Bondi and a helicopter transfer to event venue ‘The Studio’ atop Cooroy Mountain in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. |
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NORTH AMERICAN CORPORATE FAMILIARISATION |
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15 - 20 November 2007
Melbourne turned on its best weather and unique team building activities for 8 US Corporate buyers and one journalist. The MCVB created a first class program which demonstrated why Australia is the ideal destination for meetings and events. The nine delegates were treated to a spectacular 5 nights in Melbourne and the Yarra Valley. |
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To get involved in the Tourism Australia Business Events familiarisation programs please contact Renee Baker on rbaker@tourism.australia.com or your local Convention and Visitors Bureau. |
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GOING GREEN |
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PERTH CONVENTION BUREAU BECOMES CARBON NEUTRAL |
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In a move designed to promote Western Australia as a ‘green’ business events destination, the Perth Convention Bureau is offsetting its carbon footprint. The Bureau has joined WA-based Carbon Neutral, an environmental group that undertakes the planting of native trees to offset the carbon emissions of its contributing members.
For more information, please click here. |
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SYDNEY TO HOST SUSTAINABLE CONGRESS |
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Sydney will play its part to develop a more sustainable future when it hosts 1000 international experts for the first World Congress of the Renewable City in 2009. The 4-day congress will confront the greatest challenges facing cities worldwide and present the latest innovations from leading specialists in green energy and sustainable urban development.
For more information about Business events in Sydney, please click here.
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CONVENTION CENTRE TO OFFER ‘GREEN’ CONFERENCE PACKAGES |
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The Adelaide Convention Centre will soon offer green conference packages allowing convention organisers to offset carbon emissions caused by their events. The Centre already recycles about 10 cubic metres of paper and composts seven tonnes of food scraps in Bio bins each month. It purchases renewable energy, demands recycled stock for all its printing, will increasingly require its suppliers to have “green” credentials and is working with Zero Waste SA to develop guidelines to minimise waste at public events. Carbon-neutral conference packages are expected to be finalised and in the marketplace by the end of 2007.
For more information of the Adelaide Convention Centre, please click here. |
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AIME 2008 - A CLIMATE NEUTRAL EVENT |
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Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) announced at The Global Meetings and Incentives Exhibition (EIBTM) in Barcelona that AIME 2008 will be a Climate Neutral event. AIME Climate Neutral is a joint initiative of Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), RTE and Climate Friendly.
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The initiative is supported by the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC). For more information, please click here.
HAYMAN ON TRACK WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY |
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Located in the Great Barrier Reef, Hayman is the proud custodian of its location within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and is active in ensuring the survival and protection of this beautiful heritage-listed place in the world.
Hayman is also designated as a wildlife sanctuary in the Land for Wildlife program and is an active member of the Australian Association of Tourism Park Operators ensuring the future and viability of operators within the reef region. In 1999, Hayman was selected by Queensland Parks and Wildlife as the most suitable site to establish a new and thriving colony of Proserpine Rock Wallabies - an endangered species.
For more information, please click here. |
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INDUSTRY NEWS |
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THE AUSTRALIAN EVENTS EXPO RETURNS IN 2008 |
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From 21 to 22 May 2008, the Australian Events Expo will return to the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. In its successful inaugural year, 2007, over $1.5 million of business was booked and over 3,500 event professionals visited the expo.
For more information on the event, click here. |
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PERTH CONVENTION BUREAU PLAN TO BOOST OFF-PEAK BUSINESS |
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The Perth Convention Bureau has increased its push to attract business to Western Australia in the traditionally slow months of June and July. It’s ‘WAy Ahead’ national campaign, launched at AIME 2007, now has its own dedicated website, www.wayaheadinwa.com.au |
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NEW HILTON FOR THE GOLD COAST |
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The Gold Coast is about to get its first Hilton hotel and Surfers Paradise’s first international hotel in two decades. The $700 million, twin-tower project will be built in place of the landmark Dolphin Arcade in central Surfers Paradise and is expected to open in 2010.
For more information on the Gold Coast, click here. |
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AUSTRALIAN EVENTS GET BEHIND MELBOURNE'S NEWEST VENUE |
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National conventions for the new Melbourne Convention Centre are predicted to inject an estimated $450 million to the Victorian economy. Recently released figures show national business for the new centre already at more than 70 conventions, bringing 94,000 business delegates to Melbourne. The new centre, under construction adjacent to the existing Exhibition Centre, will be Australia’s largest combined convention and exhibition facility and will be open for business in 2009.
For more information, click here. |
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SYDNEY CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE VOTED AS LEADING CENTRE |
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The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre have been voted Australasia’s Leading Conference Centre in the annual World Travel Awards for the second year in a row. The award was announced after a voting campaign by 167,000 travel professionals worldwide. The Centre was chosen from among five Australasian finalists including conference centres in Auckland, Cairns, Melbourne and Wellington.
For more information, click here. |
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GOLD COAST AIRPORT EXPANSION |
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The Gold Coast Airport appointed ADCO Constructions as the principal design and construct contractor for the USD$87.9 million redevelopment of the airport’s main terminal. Construction work is scheduled to commence next year, with a completion date of late 2009.
For more information, click here. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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BUSINESS EVENTS
Pacific 2008 Congress
29 - 31 January 2008
Sydney, NSW
Click here for more information on the event
4th Asia Pacific Congress of Heart Failure
31 January - 3 February 2008
Melbourne, VIC
Click here for more information on the event
3rd International Solar Cities Congress
17 - 21 February 2008
Adelaide, SA
Click here for more information on the event
AIME 2008
19 - 20 February 2008
Melbourne, VIC
Click here for more information on the event
CONSUMER EVENTS
Andy Warhol Exhibition
8 December 2007 - 30 March 2008
South Bank, QLD
Click here for more information on the event
Melbourne Boxing Day Test
26 - 30 December 2007
Melbourne, VIC
Click here for more information on the event
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
26 December 2007
Sydney, NSW & Hobart, TAS
Click here for more information on the event
Hobart Summer Festival
27 December – 6 January 2007
Hobart, TAS
Click here for more information on the event
New Years Eve on the Wharf
31 December 2007
Darwin, NT
Click here for more information on the event
Magic Millions
1 – 30 January 2007
Gold Coast, QLD
Click here for more information on the event |
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