40 business event industry leaders from around the country came together on 30 September for the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB)’s Business Leaders Dinner.
The inaugural event, which took place within the AACB’s annual conference—Destination Business Events—was also host to Senator Jonathon Duniam, Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism.
At the dinner, the importance of business events to Australia and regional destinations was highlighted through facilitated discussions and presentations.
The discussions identified barriers to growth including regional infrastructure, access and connectivity, the need for visa reform and labour & skills challenges.
“This was a great opportunity to better understand the benefit that the business events industry brings to my portfolios of Regional Tourism as well as Forestry and Fisheries,” Senator Duniam said.
“I thank the AACB for professionally coordinating this leadership dinner and allowing me to engage with this very important industry.”
“The business events industry is greatly appreciative of the Government’s introduction of a bid fund for Australia and recent amendments announced to the program, making it more accessible to Regional Australia,” AACB President, Michael Matthews said.
“It supports a positive strategy of improving our international competitiveness. Through its success, attracting more business events will drive high yield visitation to regional Australia and generate jobs across the tourism and events sector.”
