Business Events Tasmania
Marnie Craig
Business Events to Boost Tasmania’s Hospitality Industry in 2026 Lutruwita/Tasmania’s business events sector is continuing to build momentum, with next year shaping up to be a strong year for attendance. As of now, Business Events Tasmania (BET) has secured 74 conferences for the 2026 calendar year. These events are expected to bring more than 21,700 delegates to the state, generating over 67,000 room nights and delivering an estimated $73.8 million in economic impact. This is a significant step up from the same time last year, when we had 39 conferences confirmed for 2025 worth an estimated $43.8 million in economic impact. This 90% rise in confirmed events reflects the growing confidence in Tasmania as a destination for high-value business events, and the work the BET team has put in to represent our state on the national and international stage. Beyond these secured events, we have a healthy pipeline of bids and leads that will see these numbers rise as they confirm. Importantly, business events don’t just fill hotel rooms and conference venues — they bring delegates who stay longer, spend more, and travel during shoulder and off- peak periods, supporting our hospitality businesses right across the state. A major part of our success in securing this growth in delegate visitation has been the Tasmanian Government’s Business Events Attraction Fund (BEAF), which we administer to key events. This fund
allows us to compete nationally and secure events that might otherwise go elsewhere. That funding has now been almost fully allocated, and without renewed investment, Tasmania risks losing ground at a time when other states are ramping up their own attraction programs.
PIC: PAUL REDDING
As future budgets are determined, we will continue to advocate for the critical role that business events play in Tasmania’s visitor economy. We know that when business events thrive, our pubs, clubs and hospitality venues benefit directly, whether from the increase in mid-week trade or the new visitors dispersing to our regional communities. If you’d like to stay informed about upcoming conferences and opportunities to align your business with this growing market, we encourage you to get in touch.
For more information visit betasmania.com.au
54
Tasmanian Hospitality Review October/November Edition
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting