The value of business
events continues to rise
The value of Australia’s business events
industry continues to rise with new figures
showing business events contributed more
than $30 billion in direct expenditure in
2015/16.
A recent study released by Business Events
Council of Australia (BECA) shows in
2015/16 business events contributed $30.2
billion in direct expenditure, compared to $28
billion in 2013/14, and supported Australia’s
GDP with a total economic contribution of
$24.9 billion, compared to $23.1 billion in the
previous period.
BECA chairman Matthew Hingerty said
the study provides a compelling case
of the direct and indirect impact on the
Australian economy and demonstrates why
governments and industry should continue
to invest in the sector.
“The business events sector is, at times,
under-appreciated for the financial and non-
financial benefits it delivers to the economy,
including its role in enabling global and
domestic trade,” he said.
“It can be argued that business events are
the mechanisms whereby new trade can be
generated as market participants travel to
meet each other, study the opportunities,
confer, and exhibit their goods and
services – further enhancing the Australian
Government’s free trade agreements.”
While the report reveals the strength of the
business events industry in Australia, on an
international level, Australia is falling behind.
The figures reflect growth in local (2.7 per cent)
and national (13 per cent) delegates, with a
decline (-3 per cent) in international delegates.
“The study reconfirms the business events
sector’s dimension, influence and potential.
However, the industry and governments
must work together to leverage this great
opportunity before us,” said Hingerty.
Vivid Sydney upsizes for 2017
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
ISTH 2017 Congress to set new record
The International
Society on Thrombosis
and Haemostasis
(ISTH) has announced
its upcoming ISTH
2017 Congress
in Berlin is expected to surpass
attendance records with up to 10,000
delegates from 90 countries.
Singapore secures YPO EDGE 2018
Leadership
organisation YPO
will take its flagship
event, YPO EDGE, to
Singapore next year,
bringing more than
2700 delegates to Marina Bay Sands in
March 2018. This will be Singapore’s
second time hosting the event.
Korea expands event support
program in 2017
The Korea MICE
Bureau will offer
extra support
for international
mee tings hosted
in Korea in 2017,
with the launch of its expanded
Korea Convention Support Program,
including complimentary banquets for
delegates, cultural programs, tours
and more.
Tokyo to host SIGGRAPH Asia 2018
Tokyo has been
chosen to host the
11 th SIGGRAPH Asia
in 2018. The event
will see the world’s
computing educators,
researchers and professionals gather at
the Tokyo International Forum.
South Africa allocates R110m for
event bidding fund
Vivid Sydney will return in 2017 with a full
line-up of musical acts at the Opera House
and a new display at Barangaroo for the
annual light festival.
Sydney Opera House will again host
Vivid LIVE, which will see more than
31 international and Australian music
performances throughout the venue as well
as the annual Lighting of the Sails, created
by local director Ash Bolland.
Sydney’s newest harbourside precinct
Barangaroo will make its Vivid debut this
year, joining other precints Chatswood,
Martin Place, Darling Harbour, Taronga
Zoo, and the Royal Botanic Garden.
South Africa’s
National Treasury has
granted R110 million
(approximately
$11 million) to the
country’s Department
of Tourism for a new bidding fund to
attract more business events to South
Africa.
www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 2, 2017 7