Developing international linkages and promoting the local events industry will be a key highlight of EVOLVE 2019, the Meetings and Events Australia annual conference, being held in Brisbane from 31 March to 2 April.
The EVOLVE 2019 program will include a one-day track focusing on international business, global trends and perspectives, the Australian market and how Australia is positioned in the competitive field of attracting and delivering top class events.
Almost twelve months ago Tourism Australia announced that the Federal Government would provide funding of $12 million over three years to attract major international conferences to Australia. “One year on we will hear whether this program has been successful in meeting its objectives and whether there will be any changes to how it will continue to be delivered”, commented MEA chief executive Robyn Johnson.
“Securing international business is very competitive with many countries vying to attract conferences and events, particularly the high yielding business”, Ms Johnson added.
“Our Event Panorama track will look at which countries are doing it well and why, how competitive is Australia, what role does subvention play in securing this business, and what are the key elements of attracting business to a destination?”
EVOLVE 2019 will also profile SIBOS, an annual conference, exhibition and networking event organised by SWIFT for the financial industry attended by 7,500 delegates. What started out as a banking seminar in 1978 has grown into the premier business forum for global financial community to debate and collaborate in the areas of payments, securities, cash management and trade.
SIBOS is big business. Listen to the team that worked on delivering this event in Sydney and the complexity and security that was involved.
The Event Panorama track also includes a session unlocking business potential in Asia. David Thomas, from Think Global will facilitate this session. David regularly consults with business to motivate and educate global business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors about the massive potential offered by modern China.
Joining the panel is Geoff Donaghy, Director of Convention Centres AEG Ogden and the Immediate Past-President of the Brussels based International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC). Geoff is also on the peak global body, the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC).
Mike Williams from Gaining Edge also joins this panel. Mike is a destination and convention and visitor bureau specialist with 30 years’ experience in the tourism and business events industry. His global clientele includes Australia, Africa, China, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom & USA.
“It is important for Australia to understand how we compete internationally so that we can continue to evolve and be competitive to attract the significant events that rotate around the world. Australia has a strong reputation for delivering events, but we must not become complacent. We also need to look at what opportunities exist for us and if we can export our professional services into regions that would be mutually beneficial”, Ms Johnson concluded.
