The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) has pleaded for targeted government support for businesses reliant upon income from business events.
In a virtual meeting with the federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan, BECA representatives proposed a bundle of targeted measures as a lifeline towards recovery.
The council wants to see the return of a national wage subsidy scheme to support business survival and retention of specialist industry skills.
The BECA is also calling for the introduction of a national, Commonwealth government-led event insurance scheme, achieved in partnership with state and territory governments, to cover for government-enforced cancellations and postponements resulting from COVID-19 restrictions.
Finally, the BECA is keen for an improved Business Events Grant Program to stimulate demand for in-person business events in 2022, via corporate and association event owners.
“Survival of the complete visitor and events supply chain is our number one priority, along with maintaining their skilled workforce,” BECA deputy chair and ICC Sydney boss Geoff Donaghy (pictured above) said.
“If we are to be match fit for domestic recovery and deliver global best practice to our international clients for which we are recognised when the border reopens, retaining our people is essential.
“With minimal opportunity to earn revenue over the past 18 months, the current Delta lockdowns across Australia are directly impacting lives and livelihoods, and the core capability of our dynamic industry.
“When restrictions lift, business events cannot simply switch on like other industries. Significant lead time is required to book, plan, and deliver business events, which is why targeted and sustained support for our sector is required into 2022.”
The BECA is supporting the call for the industry and the broader community to get vaccinated as quickly as possible with its own #GiveBEaShot campaign, with a range of digital assets available for the industry to use.
Tourism Australia is also incorporating BECA’s hashtag in its own vax campaign, which launched late last week.
