Tourism Australia’s Business Events enhances presence at AIME 2020

Tourism Australia’s dedicated business events unit, Business Events Australia has chosen to enhance its presence at AIME 2020 following the challenging start to the year, with the double impacts of the bushfires and the coronavirus on travel.

Business Events Australia delivers marketing communications, industry partnerships and a trade distribution program to raise international awareness and consideration of Australia as a business events destination.

Under the Business Events Australia brand, Tourism Australia undertakes activity in key international markets to ensure Australia’s business events offering is communicated to media, business events planners and decision makers.

Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison stated at this critical time it was vital to provide much-needed support to Australia’s business events industry noting “with the effects of the bushfires on our sector and the ongoing impact of the coronavirus on travel globally, it’s more important than ever for us to take every opportunity to proactively engage both with Australian industry and international buyers and stakeholders.

“While it remains to be seen what the full impact of the current challenges affecting our sector will be, the timing of AIME provides an ideal opportunity to engage with industry to ensure Australia is front of mind for international business event decision-makers.”

The recently launched Event Here This Year campaign, as part of the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Fund, encouraging domestic decision-makers to choose Australia for their events, conferences, incentives and exhibitions rather than going abroad, will also be visible on AIME’s show floor.  

When launching the Event Here This Year campaign, Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham noted “Business events are one of the most crucial sectors of our tourism industry delivering huge economic benefits to communities around Australia.

“However, the sector has taken a hit in recent months with increases in cancelled events as well as a reduction in international event bookings, even in regions that haven’t been affected by the recent bushfires.

“This campaign is a call to all of those Australian businesses and organisations out there who are yet to book in meetings, their annual conference or exhibitions, to rally behind our tourism industry and choose Australia for their event this year.”

The Event Here This Year campaign was supported by the Federal Government’s $76 million National Bushfire Recovery Fund and runs in parallel with Tourism Australia’s Holiday Here This Year campaign.

Image top: Phillipa Harrison Managing Director Tourism Australia at AIME 2020 and image above of Event Here This Year campaign