Business Events Tasmania
Marnie Craig
$1 Million reduction in funding for BET
$1 invested.
As Tasmania gears up for the cooler months, Business Events Tasmania (BET) is looking forward to what is shaping up to be an impressive ‘off- season’. We are thrilled to share that from June to September, there are over 9,100 delegates scheduled to attend 42 business events across the state. Notably, regional Tasmania is set to experience higher foot traffic, with 11 business events dispersing 1900 delegates to the state’s North and North-West. When compared to the same period last year, 2026 has seen on average a 30 per cent increase in business event activity. This growth is a direct result of the 2024 election commitments – including the $1.9m per annum committed towards the Business Events Attraction Fund (BEAF). BEAF has proven to be a critical tool in converting business and driving Tasmania’s visitor economy forward, with a current ROI of $38 in expenditure across our tourism and hospitality sectors for every
Our organisation has worked hard with industry to ensure this funding is maximised and business continues throughout the ‘off-season’. Just as our efforts have been gaining momentum, and particularly following the recent announcement of investment in major business events infrastructure at the Macquarie Point Stadium and Launceston Convention Centre, it’s been disappointing to see a significant $1 million per annum reduction in BEAF funding within the 2026-27 State Budget. Based on current modelling, this annual reduction could represent approximately 14,000 fewer delegates secured for Tasmania. BET welcomes the government’s commitment to work with us to address the funding shortfall, as well as the support of our industry partners in advocating for the ongoing importance of the business events sector.
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55 Tasmanian Hospitality Review June/July Edition
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