BECA targets federal MPs in fresh advocacy campaign for business events

Members of the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) launched a pre-election campaign at Parliament House in Canberra last week, calling on MPs to unequivocally support policy and funding of the sector. A delegation of business events industry leaders met with 12 key MPs and their advisors, from all sides of politics, with a united message about the need for a strong policy for business events and additional funding through Tourism Australia. BECA has called on the Coalition, Labor and other parties to launch a policy for business events ahead of the May Federal election, covering six key areas. Chairman of BECA, Matt Hingerty, said: “The industry delivered a strong and united message about the importance of the business events sector as a key driver of the Australian economy. Our delegation was well received as we delivered clear evidence to substantiate the merits of backing business events in order to deliver real benefits to cities as well as regional Australia.” The BECA delegation comprising representatives of all its Member Associations advocated for government support to help reap the opportunities that the business events sector can offer Australia. These include generating jobs for life, international trade and soft diplomacy, investment and both regional and national economic development. The business events sector stands on its own two feet as a major contributor to Australia’s GDP and provides significant commercial opportunities, jobs and contribution to its reputation as a progressive, innovative and successful nation with which to do business. BECA’s mission to Canberra was designed to carry a strong message that the business events sector must be supported in order to leverage the huge opportunities we can uniquely deliver for our economy and community. “Whilst Australia had a strong reputation hosting business events, our international competitiveness is being compromised by markets in Asia, and we need to act now to curb the impact,” said Mr. Hingerty.