Western Australia business event sector reaps rewards of funding

Business Events Perth (BE Perth) has announced the confirmation of five new business events worth over A$13.2m (US$9.4m), owing to a boost in funding it received through the Government of Western Australia’s Reconnect WA package and its Keynote Speaker funding incentive. Announced by Western Australian premier Mark McGowan on 1 December 2021, the $185m Reconnect WA package included a $15m funding boost for BE Perth. This had the aim of assisting the organisation attract lucrative business events to Western Australia. Since being awarded the funding boost, BE Perth has confirmed four large-scale medical conferences that are set to see over 2,750 medical specialists travel to WA between 2022 and 2025, adding upwards of $7.7m into the local economy. Additionally, BE Perth’s Keynote Speaker Incentive, which sponsors the attendance of high-profile keynote speakers in other destinations on the provision the conference then comes to WA within three years, has led to the confirmation of a 1,600-delegate education conference for Perth in 2025, which is set to generate upwards of $5.5m in economic returns for the State. Gareth Martin, CEO of BE Perth, stated: “The events that we have confirmed through the Reconnect WA funding and our Keynote Speaker Incentive were strategically targeted to align with the WA Government’s Diversify WA framework, which identifies health and medical life sciences and international education as two of the State’s key growth sectors.” Since July 2020 BE Perth has secured 108 national and international events set to occur in WA from 2022 to 2029 representing $107m in economic impact for the State. Roger Cook, tourism minister, said: “These events help to promote our vibrant city, its venues and attractions to high-yield visitors who spend valuable dollars while here, and who will hopefully plan a return trip for leisure purposes.”