Business Events Adelaide (BEA), the Australian city’s official convention
bureau, has announced mid-year sales figures that surpass their record annual
performance, set last year.
After confirming in November that business events valued at AUS$336m
had been secured in 2023/24, BEA has now revealed that
more than $540m worth of business events has been won in the first six months
of this financial year alone.
The year-to-date total is headlined by the Asia-Pacific
International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX), a multi-year agreement that will see
five iterations of the event held at the Adelaide Showgrounds between 2025 and
2033. However, even without this abnormal success, the convention bureau has
still exceeded its previous year’s figure in under six months.
Bureau CEO Damien Kitto said there were a number of factors behind
this success. “There is no doubt that Adelaide is enjoying ‘a moment” he said.
“Interest in Adelaide is currently high, and there is a real sense of
positivity about what the city can offer business event organisers.”
“Optimism around South Australia starts with the Malinauskas
Government offering strong backing for bringing a greater number of business
events to the State, and a recognition of the economic tail that flows from
them.
“Business events bring to the fore Adelaide’s key industry
sectors that offer much sought-after technical expertise - notably in health
and medical research, future energy solutions, AI and space technologies,
defence and AgTech – and provide long term commercial opportunities to SA
business.”
“We certainly feel
there is a lot more scope for growth,” he continued. “Particular areas of focus
for this calendar year will be identifying more international opportunities,
showcasing Adelaide’s world leading innovation districts, as well as attracting
a greater number of business events during winter months. This is something our
members, especially smaller venues, are very keen for us to pursue and once
again, Adelaide’s affordability and value for money will be pivotal in our
approach.”
Kitto is also realistic about the prospects of maintaining
the current level of success.
“We have
certainly made a great start to the year, but Australia is a very competitive
environment, with corporate and association business event organisers having a
number of high-quality destinations to choose from. Whilst Business Events
Adelaide would like to attract half a billion dollars’ worth of business events
every six months, we are under no illusion about the challenge in doing so. For
now, it is pleasing that Adelaide is being recognised for what it can offer as
a smart, connected and affordable business events destination.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
