Business events to play integral part in Australian government’s future tourism strategy

The voice of the business events industry will be strongly represented in the development of Australia’s future tourism strategy through the Beyond Tourism 2020 Steering Committee. The Hon Steven Ciobo MP, minister for trade, tourism and investment, convened the first meeting of the Committee in Sydney. The Committee represents a selection of tourism industry leaders who have been tasked with developing a long-term tourism strategy that will drive and facilitate growth. President of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB), Karen Bolinger and AEG Ogden chief executive, Harvey Lister have been directly appointed to the committee by the minister. “The AACB commends the Federal Government on this initiative and welcomes the opportunity for the business events industry to contribute to Australia’s tourism strategy beyond 2020”, said Andrew Hiebl, CEO of the AACB. “This is great recognition of our industry which is not only a high-yielding contributor to the visitor economy, valued at over $30 billion in direct expenditure, but is also a strategic tool for attracting trade, investment and global talent”. “Over recent years, the AACB has played a leading role in advocating to federal government on behalf of the business events industry, identifying and addressing issues and opportunities for industry recognition and growth.” The AACB and its members represent a network of more than 1,700 tourism and events businesses across Australia.