Luxperience sold to Diversified Communications
US-owned company Diversified Communications Australia has acquired Luxperience, after owner Helen Logas sold the event for an undisclosed sum. Luxperience was created in 2012 with the aim of connecting elite travel buyers and corporate meeting organisers from around the globe with some of the world’s unique travel experiences. Logas said the show had formed a major part of her life for the past six years. “I’m so proud of my team’s efforts in establishing it as a must-attend event in the calendars of the global visionaries of the travel industry.” The new owners, Diversified Communications will retain most of the Luxperience team. The 2018 event will take place in Sydney on 16-18 September.
Melbourne records fifth year of growth
Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has posted its fifth straight year of growth, and exceeded all targets by 17% in the previous financial year. The international events sector in Melbourne contributed 70% of the $321 million in economic contribution made by business events to Victoria’s economy. Victoria’s corporate meetings and incentive business was significantly bolstered with the MCB securing 158 events, which will deliver over $55 million to the state. Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren said events contributed $9.8 billion and 65,000 jobs every year to the state.
Growth in bid losses outpaces bid wins
The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) has reported that 396 international business events are set to come to Australia over coming years, a 3% increase from its January 2017 report. However, lost business has grown at a faster rate of 7%, rising to 316 events in the same period. AACB ceo Andrew Hiebl said the increase was a concern. “This lost business equates to more than $1 billion in direct delegate spend which will now take place in competing countries,” Hiebl said. He believed one of the reasons Australia was losing conferences was due to the country’s isolation from the rest of the world, executive influence and cost factors. “If Australia is to secure even more international business events, strong consideration should be given to the establishment of a dedicated national convention bid fund,” Hiebl said.
