The federal government has announced that Business Events Australia is coordinating a domestic campaign to encourage Australia to ‘Event Here This Year’, to help provide a boost to the events industry in the wake of the bushfires.
Part of the National Bushfire Recovery Fund, the campaign urges organisations to hold their business events at home this year rather than abroad.
Event Here This Year aligns with Tourism Australia’s broader tourism campaign encouraging Australians to ‘Holiday Here This Year’.
Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said: “Business events are one of the most crucial sectors of our tourism industry delivering huge economic benefits to communities around Australia.
“This campaign is a call to all of those Australian businesses and organisations out there who are yet to book in meetings, their annual conference or exhibitions, to rally behind our tourism industry and choose Australia for their event this year.
“This is a huge opportunity for Aussie businesses to support communities around Australia, whether it is those in fire-affected regions or other communities across Australia who are also feeling the pain from less visitors.”
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism, Jonathon Duniam, said: “This is a shout-out to all businesses, organisations and event managers to look no further than right here, Australia, for whatever they might be planning in coming weeks, months and years.”
Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said now was the time for Australian businesses to explore the business events offerings and experiences available at home.
“We have a beautiful country. In all our states and territories, we have plenty of accommodation and venue options alongside experiences unique to Australia,” she said.
“Combined, these create flexible and extraordinary event programs, no matter the objective. Now is the perfect time to get out there, explore our own backyard and event here this year.”
While Business Events Australia is spearheading the campaign by creating campaign assets and undertaking a domestic trade media buy, it is hoped the success of the campaign will be driven by the entire events industry sharing the Event Here This Year message as far and wide as possible.
How to get involved
1. Share the Event Here This Year message: Download the custom toolkit here. It’s got everything you need to know about the campaign and how to integrate Event Here This Year into your marketing.
2. Commit to holding events at home: If you’re an event decision-maker, choose Australia. If you’re an event influencer, convince your clients and encourage your networks to event in Australia this year.
3. Spread the word: Spread the message further by posting your #eventherethisyear experiences on social media.
4. Join Business Events Australia’s webinar: Open to all in the business events industry, Business Events Australia will answer any questions you have on the Event Here This Year domestic campaign via a webinar on Thursday 30 January at 3pm (AEST). Register here.
Image: iStock/Omar Al-Samarrai
