Following the pandemic, Australia has been ramping up efforts to secure lucrative international business events which offer a major boost to the economy.
Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program has now helped lock in more than $1 billion worth of international events.
It is often extremely competitive to secure business events, so the Bid Fund gives Australian businesses a competitive edge against other international destinations, through support at the critical bidding stage, which helps secure wins and a pipeline of events.
Business events deliver fantastic benefits to the economy, from the impact of hosting an event, through to domestic and international visitors staying on to experience all Australia has to offer. The latest business events data from Tourism Research Australia shows international business events contributed more than $4 billion to the Australian economy last year.
But there’s still more to do – International Business Events total expenditure for the year ending September 2024 is close to 2019 levels (94 per cent) – at $4.3 billion. Business arrivals are at 76 per cent (compared to 2019 levels) (Source: Tourism Research Australia).
The Bid Fund has helped secure more than 164 business events including:
Women Deliver, April 2026, Melbourne, 6,000 international delegates worth approximately $31 million
Amway China Leadership Summit, April 2025, Melbourne,10,000 international attendees worth $30 million
International Astronautical Congress 2025, September 2025, Sydney, 2,500 international delegates worth approximately $20 million
Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS), November 2025, Adelaide, 950 international delegates worth approximately $6 million
World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, June 2028, Brisbane, 2,000 international delegates worth approximately $6 million
Amway Thailand Leadership Seminar, April 2025, Gold Coast, 2,000 international attendees worth approximately $4.5 million
Ecosystem Services Partnership World Conference, June 2025, Darwin NT, 700 international delegates worth approximately $3.7 million
17th International Family Nursing Conference, June 2025, 400 international delegates, worth $3.5 million
Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell said “The Bid Fund Program is helping Aussie businesses to beat the competition, and attract first class events which are a boon for the economy.”
“We are securing a pipeline of events which are worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Australia’s economy, and support a range of businesses. Every event secured represents more opportunity for local businesses and Australian jobs.”
Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said “since 2018 our Business Events Bid Fund Program has played a crucial role in helping Australia to secure 164 new international business events.
“It is a competitive industry with destinations around the world vying for lucrative events and the Bid Fund offers vital support at the critical bidding stage.
“We are so pleased the Bid Fund has now helped to attract $1 billion worth of international business events and continues to secure events out to 2029.”
Australian Business Events Association CEO Melissa Brown said “Business events drive innovation, collaboration, commercial partnerships and long-term policy changes.
“They bring leaders in their field together to solve complex problems and build growth in academia, health, education, medical, mining and many other industries.
“Their impact also reaches regional and remote communities all year round, and provide careers, connections and community.”
Featured Image: ICC Sydney
