The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) is the newest member of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA).
This marks a pivotal step in amplifying the voices of small businesses within the vibrant business events sector, which contributes an estimated $36 billion annually to the Australian economy.
The partnership will see COSBOA extend its advocacy to the business events sector, empowering hundreds of small business owners, operators and their employees, and bolstering their influence to advocate for essential policy changes.
Together, COSBOA and ABEA will focus on lobbying for policy changes on taxes, subsidies, grants, workforce development and increasing the skilled workforce, fair work practices, and helping the government to continue to understand the significance of the business events industry’s impact for the nation.
Luke Achterstraat, CEO of COSBOA, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration.
“Welcoming ABEA into the COSBOA network is another step forward in our mission to support small businesses. The business events sector includes dynamic suppliers, organisers and venues that manage and deliver conferences, exhibitions, and meetings each year, which are vital to our economy and community,” Achterstraat said.
“By working together, we can better address the unique challenges faced by small businesses in this sector, such as reducing administrative burdens and industrial relations amendments.
“The connecting of our organisations will enable us to present a united front to government and policymakers, ensuring that the needs of small businesses in this sector, as well as others, are heard and addressed.”
Australian Business Events Association was formed through the unification of three existing organisations; the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB), the Australian Convention Centres Group (ACCG), and the Exhibition & Events Association of Australasia Ltd (EEAA).
Through the unanimous vote of their members, they each suspended their operations to create this new entity launched on 1 July, 2023.
