Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) government has released its NSW Regional Conferencing Strategy & Action Plan, designed to drive more business events and visitors to rural and regional NSW. Deputy premier John Barilaro; minister for tourism and major events Adam Marshall and member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson launched the AUS$6m (US$4.76m) Strategy in Tamworth, 7 August. Barilaro said the conferencing industry was currently worth $145m to regional NSW each year. “We want to increase that contribution by bringing more conferences and visitors to regional NSW, and in turn boost local economies and create more jobs in our regional communities,” he said. Marshall added that the business events sector presented a significant growth opportunity for regional destinations, and the actions in the Regional Conferencing Strategy & Action Plan would ensure that growth was realised. “From the bush to the coast, we want every conference planner to know that regional NSW can offer delegates both an opportunity to do business and the chance to explore our fantastic tourism offerings,” Marshall said. The NSW Regional Conferencing Strategy & Action Plan includes 11 strategic imperatives and 64 actions, with the following now in place:
- The establishment of a Regional Conferencing Unit within Destination NSW which will work closely with industry and the Destination Networks to build capacity and increase the number of business events.
- The launch of a website portal called ‘Meet in Regional NSW’ to help showcase the array of business event venues and destinations.
- The development of a NSW Regional Conferencing Toolkit which offers the tools and tips of the trade for regional business event suppliers.
- The launch of a pilot NSW Regional Conferencing Development Grants Programme which will provide investment on a matched-dollar-for-dollar basis to attract more conventions, meetings and business events in rural and regional NSW. An initial investment of $500,000 has been allocated to this pilot programme.
