The PCO Association (PCOA), the peak body representing professional conference organisers, will take its annual conference and exhibition to Hobart, Tasmania this year.

The association’s 2020 conference was originally set to take place in Tasmania, but was adapted to a virtual format amid the challenges of COVID-19.

Now in its 14th year, the PCOA21 Conference & Exhibition will take place on 5-7 December, and PCOA president Barry Neame said the timing “couldn’t be better”.

“The PCOA21 Conference & Exhibition will encompass PCOs, in-house event managers, conference curators and other meetings and event professionals, speakers and exhibitors,” he said.

“Attendees will not only enjoy Hobart’s legendary hospitality, they will get to experience some new and exciting products coming online.”

The association will work alongside Business Events Tasmania to bring the event to life.

Business Events Tasmania CEO Marnie Craig said the team is excited to provide a genuine Tasmanian experience for event industry professionals.

“We’re confident that the conference will leave a lasting impression on delegates,” she said.

“Tasmania has an enviable brand and regularly features in top destinations to visit but we find PCOs and in-house event planners are often surprised to find out that not only can we host events of over 1,000 but we do it really well.

“We proudly boast that Hobart has the facilities and meeting infrastructure of a modern city but without the big city interruptions.”

Expressions of interest in the 14th annual PCOA Conference & Exhibition 2021 can be made online.