INDUSTRY NEWS
INDUSTRY NEWS
Convention boost for the NZ economy
International business events on the up
The number of international business events secured by Australian convention bureaux is increasing , but there is scope to strengthen our market share , according to the latest industry analysis .
Produced by the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux , the latest International Business Events Forward Calendar shows 384 international events have been secured across the country , worth more than $ 860 million in total delegate spend . Association of Australian Convention Bureaux CEO Andrew Hiebl said Australia has seen a 7 per cent increase in international business events secured in the last six months .
“ Other key statistics , including the number of international delegates Australia is expected to attract as a result of these events ( 14 per cent increase ) and total estimated delegate expenditure ( 11 per cent increase ), are also positive ,” he said .
“ This outcome has been driven by the strength of our professional bid delivery , financial support put forward by state and local governments , and the industry – overlayed by the fact that Australia is a safe and highly desirable destination to hold an international event .”
The top three industry sectors are health care and social services ( accounting for 26 per cent of events ), professional , scientific and technical services ( 18 per cent ), and information media and telecommunications ( 8 per cent ).
Hiebl said while the results are encouraging , the global market for business events is becoming even more competitive .
“ This is reflected in the 296 business events Australia has missed out on , which means $ 1 billion in delegate expenditure will take place in other countries ,” he said .
“ Among the major reasons why business events organisers chose other countries are Australia ’ s geographical isolation from the rest of the world and the associated total costs .
“ If Australia is to secure even more international business events , consideration should be given to the establishment of a dedicated national convention bid fund , an initiative which other countries now have in place .”
Business events continue to be a highvalue sector of New Zealand ’ s visitor economy , with new statistics showing convention visitors spent more than one million nights in New Zealand last year .
The Convention Delegate Survey released by the Ministry of Business , Innovation and Employment ( MBIE ) reveals the number of overseas arrivals to New Zealand for conventions and conferences rose to 66,000 , up from 63,000 in 2015 .
Multi-day convention delegates generated an estimated 1,005,000 visitor nights in New Zealand and spent an estimated $ 588 million in 2016 , up from $ 472 million in 2015 .
Domestic delegates accounted for $ 316 million , local delegates spent $ 141 million , and international visitors spent $ 131 million .
Conventions and Incentives New Zealand ( CINZ ) chief executive Sue Sullivan said the high number of domestic delegates reflects a strong New Zealand economy .
“ Companies are investing in educating their teams , and domestic conference attendees are providing a boost to regional New Zealand ,” she said .
“ Smaller regions in New Zealand are investing in new facilities . The recently opened Napier Conference Centre , for example , has a range of domestic conferences scheduled for the next 12 months .
“ New Zealand ’ s share of the world ’ s multiday convention market is set to grow once our new purpose-built facilities open in the main centres , giving us the ability to cater for much larger events .”
Perfect China result for Adelaide
Adelaide will welcome up to 3000 top sales representatives from Chinese health product company Perfect China this June , in what will be the first largescale incentive group tour for the South Australian capital .
The Adelaide Convention Bureau will work with Perfect China to compile an itinerary for the group , who are expected to contribute $ 11.2 million to the state ’ s visitor economy during their stay .
Adelaide Convention Bureau CEO Damien Kitto said Perfect China ’ s decision to visit Adelaide demonstrates the appeal of the city to one of its most important tourism markets .
“ To win the opportunity to host this group , we had to demonstrate that the Adelaide has a world class offering , with the capability to host a program that will inspire Perfect China delegates ,” he said .
6 Convention & Incentive Marketing , Issue 2 , 2017 www . cimmagazine . com