AACB NEWS MARCH 2017

AACB delivers Foreign Policy White Paper submission

On 13 December 2016 the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment called for submissions from the public to help inform and shape the Australian Government's Foreign Policy White Paper.

The importance of business events to the Australian economy and the role they play in international diplomacy should be formally recognised in Australia’s Foreign Policy White Paper. In its presentation to the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, AACB aligned its key recommendations with issues outlined in the call for submissions, including:

As Australia seeks to be more ambitious in grasping economic opportunities, we recommend investing in a national convention bid fund of up to $10 million per year to increase Australia’s competitiveness in bringing conventions and exhibitions of national significance to our cities.
In support of a more prosperous, peaceful and stable region, a travel bursary should be established to bring academics, scientists and business leaders from the Indo-Pacific to international conventions held in Australia.
To ensure Australia is positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the global economy, it should grant access to the fee-free online Electronic Travel Authority visa scheme for attendees of major business events... <read more>

DOWNLOAD SUBMISSION

New Update Further Demonstrates Economic Contribution to Australia by Business Events Industry

BECA has released an update of its 2013/14 study on the value of the business events industry to Australia’s economy.

The key figures show that in 2015/16, business events:

contributed $30.2 billion in direct expenditure, compared to $28 billion in 2013/14.
critically supported Australia’s GDP with a total economic contribution of $24.9 billion, compared to $23.1 billion in the previous period.
provided 193,203 direct jobs, increasing from 179,357 in the previous period...<read more>

AACB hosts global industry leaders

AACB engaged international leaders from the business events industry during AIME to gain greater insights into the sector from a global perspective. In partnership with BECA, AACB hosted an industry dinner which was attended by special guests, Don Welsh, President & CEO of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) and Deborah Sexton, President & CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). Further leveraging the opportunity, the AACB board held a strategic workshop with Don Welsh and Paul Ouimet from DMAI on key tools offered that could benefit Australia, including DestinationNEXT and DMAI’s economic impact calculator.

Global Meetings Industry Day - 6 April

Don't forget to celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) next week on Thursday, 6 April! On this day, leaders from across the business events industry will come together to support the second annual GMID. GMID events will be held across the globe to demonstrate the measurable impact that meetings have on businesses, economies, and communities...<read more>

Join the conversation at #GMID17.

AACB Partners in Industry Skills Survey

AACB has partnered with MEA and EEAA to coordinate an industry survey, identifying key skills shortages in the industry.

The questionnaire has been distributed to all sectors of the events industry to highlight gaps in experience and skills to further develop industry training opportunities. Survey closes 7 April 2017.

The report on the outcomes of the survey will be announced at MEA’s National Conference 30 April – 2 May 2017...<read more>

COMPLETE THE SURVEY

AACB Partners with Executive PA

AACB has partnered with Executive PA and MEA in a survey executive level assistants to identify their buying patterns and needs when organising and booking corporate events. We believe this initiative and its findings will be very useful for meetings professionals to aid and promote to this growing area of business.

The findings of this survey will be announced on 30 April at the MEA Annual Conference, “MEA Reboot”.

AIME Wrap Up

Celebrating its 25th year, the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) 2017 took place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 21 - 22 February 2017. The exhibition saw two productive days, bringing together 3,900 diverse trade industry professionals to learn, network and conduct business in Melbourne.

416 exhibitors attended AIME from 22 countries including every Australian convention bureau and international competitors from Korea, Thailand, Japan, America, India and Turkey.

Congratulations to the Northern Territory Convention Bureau on winning Best Innovative Stand!

Save the date - Next year's AIME will take place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 20 - 21 February 2018...<read more>

AACB National Bureau Exchange

AACB hosted a national bureau exchange, seeing convention bureaux from across the country coming together to collaborate and exchange ideas.

Topics of discussion included:

Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo 2017
Update from Business Events Australia
The AACB collaborative market intelligence project
Delegate expenditure measurement
AACB Annual Conference and Staff Scholarship opportunities

Association of Australian Convention Bureaux, Inc.

PO Box 6308, O'Connor ACT 2602

Phone: 1300 692 222 (1300 MYAACB)