Australia’s AACB CEO says health events will be pivotal in return of business

The CEO of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux has said that health events will play a key role in the recovery of Australia’s business events industry. Andrew Hiebl (pictured left) presented insights from AACB’s ‘Forward Calendar of Business Events’ report during STR Insider, an event which took place in Adelaide this week. One finding of the report was that 115,000 Australian health professionals are expected to attend domestic conferences and exhibitions across the country over the next six years. Science, financial services and education followed as other key markets. The reports have highlighted the immediate and ongoing impacts of Covid-19 on the business events industry. The latest release continues to evidence postponement strategies undertaken by convention bureaux, with 70% of international and 57% of domestic business events on the forward calendar postponed. Growth in new business has also seen a 25% increase in the number of domestic business events secured for the future compared to the position in July 2020. Hiebl commented: “It’s ironic to suggest that the health sector will be key to our recovery during a global pandemic. Nevertheless, boosting the confidence of health professionals to travel, meet and share knowledge in-person is critical to getting business events back on track. “Convention bureaux are clearly seen by clients as a key resource to best understand Covid-19 event management and safety in each jurisdiction, which is in turn driving confidence and resulting in business for their stakeholders. “Financial and other support backed by states and territories is also being welcomed by event organisers to help offset short-term uncertainty.”