The business events industry has shown its support for the new Event Here This Year campaign, designed to attract more events to bushfire-affected areas across Australia.

Launched this week by Business Events Australia, the campaign urges decision makers to choose Australia for their meetings and events in 2020.

Announcing the campaign, Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the tourism and events sector has “taken a hit” in recent months with a rise in event cancellations and decreased international event bookings.

“This is a huge opportunity for Aussie businesses to support communities across Australia, whether it is those in fire-affected regions or other communities across Australia who are also feeling the pain from less visitors,” he said.

Industry support

The industry’s leading associations and bodies have thrown their support behind the campaign.

The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) praised Business Events Australia for its prompt delivery of the dedicated domestic marketing initiative.

“Business events are typically long lead, but this targeted campaign will stimulate the short-term domestic meetings market and provide a much-needed boost to their local economies,” said AACB CEO Andrew Hiebl.

The Accommodation Association also welcomed the campaign, with CEO Dean Long saying there’s never been a more important time to host events in Australia.

“Business events produces the highest daily yield of any sector of the tourism industry,” he said.

“This campaign sends an important message to business that one of the best ways to support our visitor economy at this time, is to hold your conference, exhibition or meetings in Australia.”

Others organisations, such as Canberra Convention Bureau, have show their support for the campaign via social media:

Meetings and Events Australia has announced its annual conference, Evolve 2020, will have a regional focus, showcasing regional venues and businesses in the exhibition component of the event.

How to get involved

There are three ways the business events community can show its support for the campaign:

STEP 1: SHARE THE EVENT HERE THIS YEAR MESSAGE

Download the custom toolkit. It has everything you need to know about the campaign and how to integrate it into your marketing.

STEP 2: COMMIT TO HOLDING EVENTS AT HOME

If you’re an event decision-maker, choose Australia. If you’re an event influencer, convince your clients and encourage your networks to event in Australia this year.

STEP 3: SPREAD THE WORD 

Use social media channels to spread the message further by posting your #EventHereThisYear experiences online.

Are you planning to #EventHereThisYear?

Have you been inspired to host your event in Australia this year? Will you be going regional in 2020?

If so, we’d love to hear about it at editorial@3.106.139.61.