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And one of our key sectors that we focus on is renewables . We have a conference on that coming up in Adelaide and one person we highlight in the series is Graham Ross . He has a local company called BlockTexx , the world ’ s first commercial-scale textile resource recovery facility . BCEC in Brisbane has partnered with them to recycle linen . These are the kind of champions we are elevating .
How important are ambassadors from key economic sectors in securing business for Australia ? We have our focus sectors that we champion and elevate , like the renewables I mentioned , but also space , education , infrastructure and health are all focused on . Our Australia Innovates series is an example of how we amplify the stories of extraordinary Australians to demonstrate our country ’ s smarts in these sectors and ultimately drive awareness of Australia as a destination to hold your next conference .
Many of Australia ’ s convention bureaux also have an ambassador programme , which they leverage to help secure business for their destinations .
How do you work with overseas long-haul groups in terms of minimising their carbon footprint ? We are on the other side of the world , and we recognise that many flights are lengthy . There are carbon offset programmes and our own airline ,
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Qantas has a green frequent flyer card for their members .
Associations and incentive groups can still meet those sustainability measures in terms of a net carbon zero event and give back to communities here . We have the Indigenous elements that we talked about , so they can weave in a welcome to country and Indigenous speaker , gifts , etc , that are sustainable .
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The 2032 Olympics will be in Brisbane . What other major events do you have coming and what ’ s the expected legacy from these events ? The Olympics , in 2000 was a massive legacy and massive bump in tourist numbers following . So , the global eyes on it will be amazing .
We had the FIFA Women ’ s World Cup taking place recently , the British and Irish Lions in 2025 , the men ’ s Rugby World Cup 2027 , Netball World Cup in 2027 and women ’ s Rugby World Cup in 2029 and then Olympics in 2032 . Building up to Brisbane in 2032 , the government have announced an AUD $ 5.6bn investment into infrastructure in Brisbane to get ready , which includes a new stadium . The Gabba is going to be reworked into a new arena version . Queens Wharf is under development and they are building sporting infrastructures around in regional places , so when the Olympics end , there will be an incredible legacy left behind for the communities .
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Brisbane , courtesy of
Tourism Australia
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Are there any particular key association meetings in the pipeline ? We ’ ve recently held World Rotary in Melbourne , which brought in 14,000 delegates , 11,000 of those are international . There ’ s the Australian International Renewable Energy Conference in Adelaide in 2024 , but in the next four months , we have five health association meetings in Australia in five different cities . One of them was the International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science in Brisbane in July . In September , there is also the Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction ( ASPIRE ) in Adelaide , the World Congress of Optometry in Melbourne , and , in October , the World Conference on Family Doctors ( WONCA ) in Sydney and the 17th World Federation of Chiropractic ( WFC ) Biennial Congress at the Gold Coast .
Another key event you have coming up this year is Dreamtime , right ? Yes , that ’ s pretty huge . It runs every two years and we bring in around a hundred incentive buyers , and highly qualified media as well . It ’ s back now for the first time in three years , for obvious reasons , and this year it will be held in Adelaide .
What are your thoughts on AI and how is it going to impact the events industry ? It is already unveiling itself . It ’ s emerging fast . For me , efficiencies are the key thing that ’ s going to come through for us and for our industry . It could be in itineraries . But it ’ s only going to make our lives easier in terms of what we do and can allow us more time to focus on making those business events special . For us as a destination , it offers opportunity – opportunities for efficiency , which allow more time to make our events and our destination even more wow ! n
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