ATEC to deliver its annual Meeting Place program as a hybrid event in 2020

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) will this year deliver its five day Meeting Place program (23rd to 27th November), to more than 600 tourism operators and buyers from across Australia, through a mix of virtual and in person events, providing a virtual Business 2 Business (B2B) program and a virtual conferencing program, along with state-based face-to-face networking events where they are able to be accommodated.

Meeting Place has a long and strong history of providing Australian tourism operators with a valuable platform for selling their products in international markets and this tradition continues despite the setbacks of 2020.

ATEC Managing Director, Peter Shelley notes “it’s been a very different year to the one we expected and this will be a very different Meeting Place as a result, but we are pleased to see the extraordinary enthusiasm from both supplier tourism operators and buyer businesses who were at the front of the line to register.

“Despite the uncertainty around when we might resume international travel, the tourism industry remains fully engaged in the opportunities inbound visitors offer and are looking to build connections ready for the opening of our international borders.

“After what has been the most challenging year for travel yet, the industry response to Meeting Place shows tourism businesses remain optimistic about the future of travel and the value of our international markets going forward.”

Minister for Tourism, Simon Birmingham will launch the Meeting Place program which will feature over 4,500 virtual member B2B meetings along with a comprehensive virtual conferencing program and state based face-to-face networking events in NSW, South Australia, ACT, North Qld, South Qld and West Australia.

Industry leading conference panels include:

•             The Path to Recovery (featuring CEOs from Tourist Australia and State Tourism organisations)

•             The Aviation Runway Back to Market

•             Travel Distribution 2021 and Beyond

•             Global Markets Update

•             Plus a focus on ATEC Safe Travels project – building back international travel using world leading biometrics technology

Shelley adds “this year has seen tourism businesses quickly adapt and fortify themselves against an extraordinary downturn but there is clearly a strong belief that the future of our industry is inextricably linked to international visitation.

“ATEC has worked hard this year to adapt to the needs of our industry through this difficult period and have delivered programs including 31 weeks of our Road to Recovery online engagement program, COVID Ready plans for tourism businesses, the allocation and adoption of the WTTC Safe Travels stamp, a Domestic Ready training program plus our very popular Tourism Trade Checklist.

“All of the programs ATEC has delivered this year have been aimed at supporting the industry to build their capacity and improve their prospects post COVID and our Virtual Meeting Place is another example of our commitment.

“We look forward to returning to a full face-to-face event in 2021 when ATEC will celebrate 50 years of supporting Australia’s inbound tourism industry to grow and prosper and embrace a future of success.

“Thank you to all our partners who have come together to help deliver this virtual event including Tourism Australia, all STO’s and many RTO’s from across the country.”

While the member-only B2B events are sold out, tickets still remain for the conference and networking events.  Register here 

Image: South Australia Barossa Valley Ballooning