Business Events Tasmania
Marnie Craig
Business events delivering for hospitality sector
in running a business event in our island state and carry concerns on the impact this will have to delegate attendance, which is already being impacted by the costs of living pressures. “The financial assistance offered through BEAF ensures these business events are financially attractive, supporting a strong delegate attendance.
Tasmania will host 27 business events between February and April this year, Business Events Tasmania (BET) says. BET chief executive officer Marnie Craig said the 3,710 delegates these events would attract would take up more than 11,000 hotel room nights over the three months. “These conferences represent a range of professions, industries and sectors, including nursing and midwifery, orthopaedics and gynaecologic oncology, Antarctic and marine science, maritime and renewable energy,” she said. Ms Craig said the meetings and events that Tasmania attracted were often directly linked to the state’s main professional sectors, Antarctic and marine science just one example. “Hobart is positioned as the international gateway to the Southern Ocean, actively supporting world-class Antarctic exploration and scientific research,” she said. “So, it makes sense for us to work with sectors like this to attract and host conferences that provide opportunities for Tasmania to be recognised on the national and international stage. “Bringing industry leaders to Tasmania is enormously beneficial, providing Tasmanian businesses and organisations with the opportunity to showcase their strengths and talents.”
ABOVE: GLEN ALBYN ESTATE
“Research commissioned by BET found that 28 per cent of delegates bring at least one other person with them, they stay on average 4.7 nights with 20 per cent of delegates dispersing to regional Tasmania,” she said. “Nearly 90 per cent of respondents say they intend to return to Tasmania within the next three years which provides a further economic boost. “It is important to note that the delegates attending these business events are coming from across the globe and all parts of Australia.
Ms Craig said business events were worth $199 million to the state’s economy.
“The Business Events Attraction Fund (BEAF), supported by the Tasmanian Government through the Department for State Growth, remains a critical tool in securing business events into the state.
“Business events and conferences are integral to the success of Tasmania’s visitor economy.
“They bring in much-needed business to local hotels, restaurants, wineries and bars.
“Our team are working with event organisers who have the perception that there are higher costs associated
41 Tasmanian Hospitality Review February/March Edition
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