Australia
Australia creates unified business events association
Australia ’ s events industry moves to new unified representation model , as we hear from new peak industry body chair , Peter King
n the biggest shake-up
I of the business events association landscape in over a decade Down Under , the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux ( AACB ), the Australian Convention Centres Group ( ACCG ), and the Exhibition & Events Association of Australasia Ltd ( EEAA ) have announced they have unified and will launch a new peak industry body , Australian Business Events Association , on 3 July 2023 .
The work to spearhead the new association has been led by a Project Development Group , comprised of directors from the three associations . Widely respected industry stalwart , Peter King will be the independent chair of the board . King was most recently the CEO of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre .
The business events industry of Australia has been calling over many years for unification in the sector . The most recent research conducted in 2022 revealed that 84 % of survey respondents wanted a unified body representing the sector to government , and the broader business community . It was deemed that the duplication of services from numerous associations resulted in inefficient use of industry funds , with multiple advocacy voices creating confusion with stakeholders and diluting industry messaging .
King says an industry of this size and importance needs one strong and robust association to get traction on the issues that matter :
“ A consolidated and united association can commission much-needed research , create policy , train its people , tackle sustainability , link with international and domestic trade opportunities and powerfully advocate to government .
“ The industry has been on the fringe of the government ’ s radar for too long . Covid taught us that we need to get serious about amplifying our collective voice .
“ We are building a platform through which we can develop the outcomes and the impact the people and organisations who deliver approximately 480,000 business events annually need to thrive , create jobs , and contribute to the economy .
“ We will be focused on our pillars of advocacy , research and policy , development of the industry , the services members need to run their teams and businesses , and the promotion of the sector as a great place to work and do business .
“ Ultimately , the Australian Business Events Association is about member prosperity . When our members win , everyone benefits ,” says King .
“ We invite everyone in the events industry to come together , to support one another and put
Peter King
our best foot forward , to ensure everyone benefits ,” King concludes .
The association will be looking to fill the post of CEO , and interested parties are urged to follow developments closely .
The existing peak industry body representing Australia ’ s business events industry groups , the Business Events Council of Australia ( BECA ), meanwhile , has voted unanimously at a special general meeting to voluntarily de-register itself , as the majority of the Council ’ s members indicated a preference to support the new peak body organisation from July 2023 , impacting BECA ’ s future financial viability .
BECA will cease operations at the beginning of the new financial year but until that time it will continue to represent the business events industry to federal government and help operationalise the $ 2m Business Events Economic Contribution project with Tourism Research Australia .
BECA chair , Dr Leo Jago says : “ In its 30 years as the peak body for business events , BECA has built a stellar list of achievements ; it has been the unified voice in the industry ’ s advocacy to government and has been the key driver of the industry ’ s vital research studies to demonstrate the size and scope of the sector . BECA has made these achievements despite its limited resources ; it has punched well above its weight .”
According to Dr Jago , “ The global pandemic challenged Australia ’ s business events industry and highlighted the need for a wellresourced peak body to foster the growth of business events via a focus on research , advocacy , and professional development . BECA and its many achievements provides a solid platform upon which a new and better resourced peak body will support business events in the decades to come . BECA ’ s legacy will live on .”
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 3 2023 35