Government grant to aid event growth
A report released by the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) in April showed a decline in the number of international events to be hosted in Australia.
According to the Forward Calendar of Business Events, only 361 events are scheduled to take place, compared to 396 events six months ago.
While the loss — which equates to $1 billion in delegate expenditure — is significant, the Government’s $12 million Boosting Business Events Bid Fund program is on track to help secure more international business events.
“We are confident that the decline in our international positioning can be reversed with this increased investment from the Australian Government,” AACB chief executive officer Andrew Hiebl said.
Sibos to shine in Sydney
The world’s largest financial services event Sibos will take place for the third time in Sydney this year, when 7,000 delegates from around the world will converge on the International Convention Centre Sydney on 22-25 October.
Secured by BESydney, Sibos is a world-class forum where attendees can debate global trends and challenges, as well as collaborate on solutions that have scope to shape the industry.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian applauded the event’s acquisition. “This is a huge event and one we have only secured because the NSW Government built a world-class convention and exhibition centre,” she said, adding that the scale of the event would “boost Sydney’s profile on the world stage.”
Novotel South Wharf opens
Melbourne’s booming South Wharf has a new resident, with the opening of the Novotel South Wharf Hotel.
Located adjacent to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), the $150m development will offer much-needed support to the complex, which recently underwent a $350m expansion in response to the city’s growing business and events industry.
Novotel South Wharf general manager Glen Erickson said the hotel would play an important role in supporting these changes.
