Joyce DiMascio
Head of Business Events Australia
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25 June 2009
Dear Industry Colleague,
Tourism Australia held its flagship business event, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in Melbourne last week with 600 buyers from 40 countries meeting with sellers from 630 companies from around Australia.
The event was held with the added pressures of the H1N1 influenza which saw the adoption of special measures to promote best-practice hygiene protocols. ATE ran very smoothly under the stewardship of Tourism Australia’s highly experienced Trade Events team and host State Tourism Organisation, Tourism Victoria.
Business Events Australia leveraged ATE to continue meeting with industry partners to discuss the opportunities created through the 09/10 trade marketing program. |
Our thanks to Members of MCVB and other Convention Bureaux who attended the special briefing at ATE. If you would like a briefing on the 09/10 trade marketing program as part of your forums, conferences or seminars please contact Thomas Hill from our team and we will try to schedule a special presentation.
ATE came off the back of IMEX 2009 which was held in Frankfurt. We all know the past year has brought a dramatically changed operating environment. Global financial instability, changing political landscapes, changing corporate travel policies and more recently, a pandemic.
Often out of difficult times come the greatest opportunities. The resounding message at IMEX 2009 was that the meetings industry is a very resilient sector and that it will be a big contributor to economic growth and recovery.
IMEX attracted suppliers from 157 countries, 3,500 hosted buyers and achieved record attendances. Business Events Australia led the Australia team at the show with an expanded stand of 14 operators from across the country. All partners reported strong interest in Australia across all sectors of the market.
Stand partner and CEO of MCVB, Sandra Chipchase said that joining the Australian delegation at IMEX yielded very good results: “Business Events Australia provided an outstanding platform for our business discussions. We have already received enquiries for 10 pieces of business in excess of $A30 million dollars.”
Chief Operating Officer of Business Events Sydney, Lyn Lewis-Smith said that IMEX was a compelling platform for launching Australia’s new campaign. “Australia’s creativity and innovation as captured in the ads show that Australia has really come to the fore,” she said. View the Business Events Australia campaign here: Sydney Harbour and Twelve Apostles.
Sustainability was still high on the agenda at IMEX and Australia’s positioning as a place where environment and community matter continues to be a compelling competitive advantage. DMC stand partner, Jean-Christophe Merlant, Managing Director of JCM Destination said, “For me the best thing is the green initiative and that Australia is seen in this light. This is reflected in Business Events Australia’s new advertising and this will really help take our message to the world”.
Through our partnership with the AACB, we have assembled an impressive inventory of the meetings that are due to be hosted in Australia. This is attached here to assist you with planning and also as a testament to the outstanding results being achieved.
These are challenging times – and Business Events Australia is not standing still. We have a range of new marketing programs for 09/10 all framed around a co-operative model that allows convention bureaux and industry partners the opportunity to leverage our marketing across a range of trade channels.
Australia’s appeal and value proposition is very strong right now and we look forward to working with industry to become more active, visible and innovative in the delivery of our trade marketing programs.
Best wishes,
Joyce DiMascio
Head of Business Events Australia
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Business Events Australia blitzes media
An extensive media buy across targeted business and trade media titles around the world is generating unprecedented exposure for Australia.
Following the launch last month of the new business events campaign, “Take your thinking to a whole new place” is running around the world in publications including:
Asia -
TTG Mice Asia, TTG Mice China, MiceASIA.net, Economist Asia Pacific, Business Traveler Asia, Newsweek Asia Pacific, Forbes India, Economist Korea and MIX
UK / Europe - M&IT, C&IT UK and Europe, Meetings:Review, CIM Germany, HeadQuarters and IMEX Daily
New Zealand - MiceNZ.net, Travel Inc and Meetings Newz
USA -
Meeting & Conventions, Corporate Meetings & Incentives and Successful Meetings
Australia - Mice.net, MiceBTN and CIM Australia
For more information, contact Lara Wolski, Business Events Marketing Manager.
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Recruitment underway for Dreamtime 2009
Recruitment of international buyers and media for the premier incentive showcase, Dreamtime has commenced around the world through our business events in-region managers.
Dreamtime will host approximately 100 international incentive agents and 20 international media from Australia’s key markets of Asia, Japan, Europe, the United Kingdom, the USA and New Zealand. |
In 2009, Dreamtime has been remodeled to showcase a broader range of locations and operators. Commencing on 12 October 2009, delegates will experience a two day educational visit to destinations including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Northern Territory or Sunshine Coast/Brisbane. Delegates will then reconvene for the business forum, exhibition and signature events in Sydney, the host destination.
The five day incentive showcase is supported by official Dreamtime airline partner, Qantas and will also highlight our credentials for staging low carbon impact events. Seller registrations will open in July.
For more information on Dreamtime 2009, please contact Jodie Oberg, Dreamtime Manager. |
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TABEE 2010 dates announced
Business Events Australia is pleased to announce the dates for Team Australia’s biggest trade marketing event in Asia. The 12th annual Team Australia Business Events Educational (TABEE) will be held between 15 and 17 March 2010 in a destination to be confirmed.
In 2010, TABEE will build on its strong history as the region’s most effective platform for Australian business events operators to meet with qualified buyers from the 11 key markets of Asia.
For more information, please contact Thomas Hill, Business Events Trade Programs Manager. |
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New business events direction for the US
Our new trade marketing campaign is now rolling out in the US as part of a changed focus of our business events program in this important market. The new print advertisements with the tagline, ‘Take your thinking to a whole new place”, feature in the June issues of leading US industry publications including Successful Meetings, Meetings and Conventions and Corporate Meetings and Incentives.
In addition to the campaign work and ongoing expanded media buy, Business Events Australia has a comprehensive trade marketing program aimed at the US market including a revamped PR program to pitch our stories to key media, plans for a more dynamic Business Events website to better connect business events buyers and Australian sellers, and Dreamtime 2009, our showcase incentive trade event, which will be held in Sydney from Oct 12 – 16, 2009 and will include educationals throughout Australia.
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Business Events Australia is also proud to announce the continuation of our partnership with US incentive house, Maritz. This partnership has already delivered solid results in terms of sales leads and conversions for Australia and we look forward to continued success in the coming year.
For more information, please contact Luke Jones, Regional Partnership Manager, Americas. |
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Team Australia Mission to Hong Kong and Shanghai in September 2008 |
Team Australia on learning mission to India
The inaugural Team Australia mission to India will take place from 16 – 20 November 2009 and will incorporate two days of meetings in both Mumbai and Delhi.
The mission, organised by Business Events Australia will provide an excellent opportunity for partner Convention Bureaux to explore new business opportunities by meeting with the key players in the growing business events market in India.
For more information, please contact Thomas Hill, Business Events Trade Programs Manager. |
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Business Events Australia at PAICE in 2009
The 2009 Pacific Area Incentives and Conferences Expo (PAICE) will be held at the Auckland Convention Centre on 8 September and Business Events Australia is pleased to confirm our attendance at the event again this year.
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PAICE is the annual trade showcase for Asian, Australian and Pacific Rim conference and incentive suppliers aiming to attract corporate and association end users and professional conference organisers from New Zealand. Previously, the event has attracted more than 200 New Zealand buyers, and organisers are expecting similar numbers again this year.
For further information, please contact Jenny Aitken, Regional Manager, New Zealand. |
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C&IT UK at Australia Pavilion
Australia Pavilion partners
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A successful IMEX 2009
IMEX 2009 was a prime example of our industry's determination to overcome the challenges of the global economic downturn. Hosted in Messe Frankfurt, the three day show attracted record attendance and brought together 3,500 companies from around the world.
Business Events Australia partnered with 14 Australian convention centres, convention bureaux and other operators at the Australia pavilion. With all partners taking appointments, the Australia pavilion was a hub of activity.
Australia was an active player at the various leader forums including the ICCA Association Seminars and the Politicians Forum.
The full program of media activity was also a key component with the unveiling of our 09/10 trade marketing program to the international market. Consisting of interviews with international media, an official media conference and an online media centre, the program delivered a consistent and concise message and complemented the Australian pavilion. |
Business Events Australia’s new print advertisements for the corporate meeting and incentive market also appeared daily in the onsite newspaper – the IMEX Daily. The eye-catching images gave high visibility to Australia amongst the 3,800 hosted buyers.
Australia staked its claim as one of the best global destinations for green business events with wins in the 2009 IMEX Green Supplier Awards. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre received the gold medal and Adelaide Convention Centre was presented with the silver. The awards were announced at the IMEX Gala Dinner.
Congratulations also to Jemma Davie from Canberra Convention Bureau who won the 2009 IMEX-AACB Vin Barron Award. The prestigious award is designed to foster career development and encourage excellence in the future leaders who work within Australia’s Convention Bureaux. |
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Meet our new global team
We are pleased to update you on changes within the Business Events Australia team around the globe. Vean Chan from our Hong Kong office has decided to become a full time mother from 1 July. We would like to thank Vean for her contribution and commitment to developing the Asia Business Events segment over the past five years. |
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Faline Lin, Tourism Australia Manager for Taiwan will take up the responsibility for business events in North Asia with the support by Rachel Yu, Business Events Executive for North Asia. Both Faline and Rachel will work with the respective regional teams in the Greater China Region as well as Korea.
Stephen Cheah, Partnership and Distribution Manager will assume responsibility for business events in South/South East Asia. He will work with the respective country teams in Singapore, Malaysia and India as well as overseeing Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Lene Corgan from the London office who is on maternity leave is replaced by Charesse Smith. Charesse has previously worked with Tourism Australia in a project management capacity and has already met many of our industry partners during IMEX.
As Regional Partnership Manager Americas, Luke Jones is now managing business events activities in the US market. In Japan, Tatsuro Iwata, Trade Development Manager, Japan continues to work on all things business events and in New Zealand Amanda Hall has just been appointed as the Trade and Events Executive and will work on the promotion of Australia as a business events detination in the New Zealand market.
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Famil delegates in Brisbane
Famil delegates in Perth
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Asia corporate buyers experience Brisbane and Perth
A recent showcase of Brisbane and Perth’s best corporate meeting and incentive products was attended by 18 corporate buyers and two media from 11 Asian markets.
The tailored event provided guests with exclusive access to premium incentive products such as breakfast with the animals at Dreamworld, a tour of the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, wine blending in the Swan Valley and breakfast with the Lord Mayor at Perth Mint.
“I thank all of the organisers for your warm hospitality…Our visit to Australia will help us improve our itinerary planning for future tours” Taiwan delegate.
“Australia really is a tourism heaven which safeguards the environment and has excellent educational value…I sincerely thank Tourism Australia and its partners for their warm hospitality and impeccable arrangements” Malaysia delegate.
“Brisbane and Perth are both very beautiful cities…such relaxed places will ensure everyone can release tense work pressures built up over the previous year and also prepare them for even more splendid sales achievement during the coming 12 months” China delegate. |
For more information, please contact Thomas Hill, Business Events Trade Programs Manager.
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AACB Staff scholarship application open
The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux, Business Events Australia and Qantas invite your entries for the 2009 AACB Staff Scholarship.
The scholarship recognises and encourages excellence within bureaux staff and offers the opportunity to demonstrate their professional commitment, delivery of high quality service and dedication to the industry.
DEADLINE: Close of business Sydney time, Monday 3 August 2009. Please send applications to Mike Cannon. Please click here to view the application form. |
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The Premier of Victoria, John Brumby
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TTF Victorian Leaders Forum
Melbourne’s outstanding new convention centre was the venue for TTF’s Victorian Leaders Forum held in Melbourne during ATE. Business Events Australia participated in the forum attended by around 80 business leaders.
Delegates heard from members of the Victorian Cabinet about the state’s plans for tourism, major events and business events – as well as plans for supporting infrastructure and transport.
Premier, John Brumby and Tourism Minister, Tim Holding were among the speakers who singled out the Government’s ongoing commitment to attracting events to the state.
Victoria has already secured 50 national events and 190 international events to the new 6 Star Green Star environmental rated Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. |
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Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress 2010
Congratulations to Parks Victoria for establishing the inaugural Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress held in Melbourne from 11-16 April 2010.
The aim of the Congress is to provide a better understanding of how the natural environment can benefit a range of other societal matters including: health, local economies and social cohesion. It’s expected to attract over 1000 delegates from Australia and across the world.
Business Events Australia was briefed on the upcoming event by Mark Stone, Brett Cheatley and Dianne Smith from Parks Victoria during ATE. We look forward to supporting Parks Victoria in making this a standout global event. For more information on the Congress, click here. |
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Convention / conference statistics – April 2009
As part of Tourism Australia’s monthly updates on conference and convention visitor arrivals, the Business Events Arrivals - April 2009 Report is now available.
During the year ended 30 April 2009, there were 172,700 convention or conference visitor arrivals, a decrease of 7 percent year-on-year.
The best performing convention or conference markets to Australia by country of residence for the year ended 30 April, compared to the same period in 2008, were Germany, Canada and the Philippines which posted increases of 20, 18, and 8 percent respectively.
For more information, please contact Evelyn Karantonis, Market Analyst, Corporate Strategy and Research Aviation and Economic Analysis. |
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