EVENTS
What to look for
in a destination
Andrew Hiebl, CEO of the Association of
Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB),
outlines what factors EAs should consider when
choosing a destination for their next event.
DESTINATION NEWS
Brisbane smashes visitor
records in 2019
Brisbane has broken visitor arrival and spending records
after a ‘dramatic surge’ in interstate and international
visitors last year. Results from Tourism Research Australia’s
International Visitor Survey found that visitors from China,
Canada and the United States found Brisbane an attractive
place to visit. Brisbane Mayor, Adrian Schrinner said the
growth is a result of targeting these visitor markets.
“This is great news for our city, which is in hot pursuit
of the lucrative North American market,” Cr Schrinner
said. “We have partnered on marketing campaigns in this
region and alongside new direct routes to Brisbane from San
Francisco and Chicago, we expect to see even more uplift in
this market.” S
BUREAU NEWS
Australian Bureaux are
‘standing ready’ to provide
bushfire updates to EAs
The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB)
has released a statement in the wake of the recent bushfire
disaster, saying its member bureaux will provide up-to-date
information for event organisers and EAs looking to host
conferences and events in their regions.
“There is a lot of misinformation spreading globally
about the Australian bushfires via mainstream and social
media channels that needs to be addressed. Australia’s
convention bureaux are best placed to provide up-to-date
business events information given they are on the ground in
each state and territory with direct connection to industry
operators in their respective regions,” said AACB CEO,
Andrew Heibl. S
There is still plenty of scope to help work with many
of Australia’s convention bureaux in 2020, to tap into
the services and advice on offer as outlined in my
previous columns in Chief of Staff.
So, what should you look out for in a business
events destination?
Naturally, I suggest that you start with destinations
that have a convention bureau. And there is good
reason for this. Typically, convention bureaux exist in
destinations that have the quality infrastructure and
services required to host meetings and conferences.
They will also represent communities that are
welcoming and want to host your events, as well as
local economies geared to servicing visitors.
A convention bureau can be found:
w as
an independent authority (incorporated
association or company limited by guarantee)
w within a regional tourism or economic development
organisation
w within state/territory or local government
w in most city or regional destinations
Search for organisations with the terms ‘Destination
Convention Bureau’ or ‘Business Events Destination’
within their title.
Be it a team of two or more than thirty, convention
bureaux have personnel dedicated to providing free
advice to organisers of business events. They have
local expertise and understanding of venue capabilities
and capacities, accommodation options, and unique
spaces that may not be common knowledge. They also
have direct access to local government authorities and
experience in approval processes that may be required
for use of public spaces.
If you are looking at more than one destination,
even better. Convention bureaux will work with their
partners to put forward their best proposal in order to
secure your business.
So, make working with a convention bureau your
2020 resolution. S
Issue 1 2020 | Chief of Staff 41