Damien Kitto, CEO of the Adelaide Convention Tourism Authority (ACTA) has been elected the new Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) president.
Joining him as VP is Lynn Fairbrass, Manager of the Northern Territory’s Convention Bureau. Kitto thanked outgoing president Sandra Chipchase for her tireless efforts over the past two years.
Newly-elected AACB president Damien Kitto
Commenting on the current economic environment; Kitto said “whilst the world is currently in the midst of tough economic times, they also present a number of opportunities for AACB’s membership as we consider new ways of not only conducting our own business, but also in the way we go about the business of attracting conventions and incentive visitation to Australia.”
“I look forward to the challenges and changes that will come about in the coming year and working with all AACB members and their partners to present Australia as a desirable destination within the highly competitive international business events market.”
Adding that international business visitors spend around five times more than leisure tourists. These visitors offer Australia high yield and dispersal of up to 46% on pre or post tours to regional areas of Australia.
“Australia boasts some of the world’s best venues for staging conventions and exhibitions. When combined with our vast range of tourist attractions, nature, beaches, Indigenous history and culture, shopping, food and wine, this makes us a highly desirable business events destination.”
Kitto said that research has shown that delegates attending business events in Australian often return as tourists with family.
In welcoming Kitto to his new role, the AACB’sa executive director Mike Cannon said that the association’s goal is encouraging initiatives persuading more members of the global business and associations communities to choose Australia for their business events.
“We want these communities to experience how professional and efficient we are, see how fantastic this country is, and come back again for business and leisure.”
