What is the Business Events Industry
The Business Events Industry has a critical role to play in our economy’s success. Business events are an enabler for all industries to come together to do business, innovate, develop workforces and trade – we foster the prosperity of our economy and society. Size of the industry
The Australian Business Events Industry generates $36 billion annually in direct economic benefit and employs an estimated 300,000 people directly and thousands more indirectly. It comprises tens of thousands of businesses ranging from multinationals to ‘mum and dad’ small businesses; it is far more wide-reaching than convention centres and event organisers. The Australian Business Events Association Ltd (ABEA) is the leading industry body responsible for representing and supporting the prosperity of the organisations and people that work in, or benefit from the Australian Business Events Sector. ABEA represents the unified ambitions of the Australian business events industry and its people. We will drive real impact regarding sector growth and development through advocacy, member support and innovation. The work to spearhead the new Association has been led by a Project Development Group, comprised of directors from the three Associations. They have announced that widely respected industry stalwart, Peter King has been appointed as Chair. King was most recently the CEO of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) was formed by the unification of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB), the Australian Convention Centres Group (ACCG), and the Exhibition & Events Association of Australasia Ltd (EEAA). Why was the Australian Business Events Association founded? The business events industry of Australia called over many years to unify the sector. The most recent research conducted in 2022 revealed that 84% of survey respondents wanted a unified body representing the sector to government, and the broader business community. It was deemed that the duplication of services by numerous associations resulted in inefficient use of industry funds, with multiple advocacy voices creating confusion with stakeholders and diluting industry messaging. Multiple consultations revealed the industry wanted one organisation to:
- Educate and develop professionalism throughout the industry via unified and commercially viable conferences, events, awards, training and education programs
- Support key national issues such as workforce challenges, WHS, sustainability and leadership development
- Build a strong, mutually beneficial national community of event professionals that attracts others
- Represent the sector to state and federal governments
- Commission research to build strong advocacy, policy and economic positions
- Raise awareness and understanding of the sector, its impacts and importance
- Directly feed the state and territory-based challenges and solutions into the national conversation
