Australia has more than $1 billion in delegate expenditure already secured from domestic business events through to 2033, according to new figures released by the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA).
ABEA’s Domestic Forward Calendar 2026 gives a picture of events secured by Australian convention bureaux, with 806 events confirmed from July 2026 onwards.
Those events account for 3,031 event days and are expected to attract 451,551 delegates, generating approximately 1.64 million delegate days.
Total delegate expenditure is forecast at $1.041 billion, including $952.7 million from domestic delegates and $88.4 million from international visitors attending the events.
Association events are particularly important to the pipeline. Around 66 per cent of future association conventions include a trade show or exhibition component, adding a further commercial dimension to their economic contribution.
Healthcare and social assistance represents the largest industry sector within the forward calendar, accounting for approximately 37% of secured events.
The report also provides insight into what influences organisers is selecting destinations. Financial incentives and business-events packages were identified as the primary reason behind 29% of successful association event bids, highlighting the increasingly important role played by convention bureaux and government-backed bidding programmes in securing events.
ABEA CEO Melissa Brown said the results paint a positive picture for Australia’s domestic business events sector.
“It’s valuable and impressive to see the size and breadth of the domestic opportunity and to provide government with the insights needed to keep highlighting the value of business events for Australia
“Business events generate significant economic value, but their impact extends well beyond delegate spend. They provide opportunities to transfer knowledge, support research collaboration, foster innovation and connect people and industries across the country.
The forward calendar is based on business secured by convention bureaux rather than every business event scheduled to take place in Australia, so doesn’t reflect the value of the total pipeline of business
Regardless, the results demonstrate the unusually long lead times involved in parts of the association and convention market and the value of securing major events years before delegates arrive