Perth to host Australian Event Awards and Symposium in September

Following competitive bids from capital cities and regions across Australia, Perth is to host the Australian Event Awards and Symposium in September this year.

The Australian Event Awards and Symposium, to be held at Optus Stadium from 16th to 18th September, is the national awards program and conference for the Australian events industry.

This will be the first time the event has been hosted in Western Australia, following a proposal put forward by Tourism Western Australia, in partnership with Optus Stadium operators VenuesLive, the Perth Convention Bureau and the Events Industry Association of Western Australia.

The awards program is an opportunity for Australian event professionals to compete directly across the nation, and across all facets of the industry, to establish Australia's best events and event-related goods, services and innovations.

The event offers a two-day program featuring keynote speakers, interactive workshops and sessions and concludes with the Australian Event Awards Ceremony gala dinner, which will recognise the national winners from a variety of categories.

It is expected the event will attract about 400 attendees.

The Australian Event Awards has been held annually since 2009 with previous winners having included the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, Australian Open, Vivid Sydney, WOMADelaide, the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster, and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Looking forward to the hosting, Western Australian Tourism Minister Paul Papalia stated “hosting these awards in Perth for the first time provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase our vibrant city's transformation to event industry professionals from across the country, as well as our capability to host major events.

"Perth is now very well placed to host this event, offering the best-in-class Optus Stadium as the venue, as well as some of the best-value hotel and short-stay accommodation in Australia.

"The annual Australian Event Awards and Symposium is attended by more than 400 of the nation's premier event practitioners and web streamed live to hundreds more.

"I'd like to congratulate Tourism WA, who collaborated with VenuesLive, Perth Convention Bureau and the Events Industry Association of WA to secure this bid.

"I look forward to welcoming event professionals from all over Australia to Perth for these awards."

Entries to the awards are now open and will close on 15th July 2019.

For more information go to www.eventawards.com.au

Click here for information on the Australian Event Symposium in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image: Function at Perth's Optus Stadium.