AN island out on its own, Tasmania offers event organisers the opportunity to take delegates to a unique and inspiring destination.
The state’s rugged landscape, vibrant food and beverage industries, and modern venues offering facilities that cater for between 20 and 1,100 delegates, attracted more than 38,000 conference-goers in the year to March 2019, delivering $150 million to the local economy.
As part of a campaign to lure more events to the Apple Island, the State Government pledged $1.2 million over the next four years for a business events attraction fund, in its 2019/20 Budget, a move welcomed by Business Events Tasmania (BET).
The additional funding has been earmarked to help secure strategic conferences that align with Tasmania’s key industry sectors, BET CEO, Marnie Craig, said.
“This much-welcomed funding boost will help Tasmania maintain a competitive edge when bidding for conferences and business events against competing destinations,” Craig said.
“In recent years, we’re seeing an increasing number of destinations in Australia and within the Asia Pacific region offering incentive funding to secure conferences and business events to their region, and to also have this option will put Tasmania on a level playing field.”
Home to a number of global leaders across in agribusiness, renewable energy and scientific research, Tasmania has attracted international accolades in recent years for its ability to draw delegates.
The State’s food and wine attract foodies from all over the world, providing delegates can experience quality at produce at local eateries, farmers’ markets and on the conference floor, washed down with Tasmania’s award-winning wines, beers, ciders, whiskeys or gins.
BET research found delegates reported high satisfaction rates across a number of areas:
- Friendliness of the people — 91%
- Food and wine — 87%
- Standard of service — 88%
- Business event facilities — 85%
- Business event organisation — 87%
- Restaurants — 84%
Added to high-quality facilities, Tasmania offers event organisers a host of activities for guests looking to break away from the conference floor.
Delegates can experience one of sport’s most gruelling challenges, tackling the final leg of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, sailing up the Derwent River to Battery Point aboard one of two identical 62-foot luxury cruisers, Helsal IV and Magic Miles.
The twin yachts can accommodate 18 passengers, giving attendees the chance to sit back and enjoy the wind on their faces or take a turn working the winches to power their boat toward the finish line.
Just 15 minutes’ drive from Hobart, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) has been challenging visitors since it opened in 2011.
Groups can enjoy a vineyard setting, cocktails prior to a private viewing of Australia’s largest private gallery with dinner at The Source fine dining restaurant and a luxurious night in of the onsite contemporary pavilions.
For those looking for a little more exhilaration between sections than sailing, Abseil Gordon Dam offers the opportunity to take on the world’s highest commercial — dropping themselves 140 metres down the dam wall.
For event organisers hosting in Launceston, delegates can enjoy the culinary delights of the Tamar Valley, touring the region’s cool-climate vineyards, before returning to the city to dine at some of Tasmania’s top restaurants.
Scenic helicopter services also provide the opportunity to give conference attendees a bird’s eye view of the area’s stunning scenery.
