Victorian Convention and Event Trust, operators of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, released its Annual Report and Impact Report for the 2024-25 financial year. MCEC hosted 714 events, attracting 3.2 million visitors, reflecting its direct economic impact, and the social and environmental contribution of these events.
UN Tourism has presented Professor Larry Dwyer with the prestigious Ulysses Prize in recognition of his commitment to using knowledge to guide action and creating lasting, positive change. The prize was awarded during a special ceremony at the University of Technology Sydney, where he serves as Professor and Adjunct Fellow.
When international conferences take place in Sydney, their influence extends well beyond industry networking and economic return. Through a strategic partnership between BESydney and the NSW Department of Education, business events are being translated into real-world impact, inspiring students, equipping teachers, and preparing communities for the jobs of tomorrow. From Boardroom…
International meetings have become the critical platform for increasing implementation and broadening understanding of the societal importance and key concepts behind Circular Economies and related business practices. As with any complex process, the fastest way to learn and generate new ideas is face-to-face, bringing together technical experts, policymakers and business leaders. From From CMW…
What if a conference could alter the trajectory of a student’s life? Influence public policy? Spark a regional movement for women’s safety or accelerate the next major scientific breakthrough? These possibilities are no longer hypothetical, they are the foundation of BESydney’s Social Impact Strategy, a pioneering framework that redefines the role of business events…
As Asia-Pacific’s growing energy needs and economic goals intersect with geopolitical risks, conferences become crucial. By hosting global energy industry gatherings, Brisbane offers a neutral ground for Asia, Europe, and North America to exchange expertise and forge collaborations that inform policy and investment, reducing risk and boosting mutual understanding across the region. From Boardroom…
Business NSW’s gain is also a win for the Business Events sector, recognising the importance of meetings in a destination’s economic strategy… Business NSW is pleased to welcome Lyn Lewis-Smith OAM GAICD to the Board, appointed as a director on 1 September 2025. Lyn has served as a Business NSW State Councillor since February and…
From Carolin Lenehan, BESydney: If there was ever a single graph to demonstrate a knowledge economy benefit of global conferences this is it. The International Astronautical Federation‘s Annual Congress returns to Australia this September. The last time it visited our shores in 2017, the Australian Space Agency was born. On the announcement Sydney was to…
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) welcomes the NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which aims to generate A$91 billion in annual visitor spending and 150,000 new jobs by 2035. Developed with input from over 500 stakeholders, the strategy emphasises “Drive Growth Through Events.” BESydney has already secured 66 upcoming events, bringing 46,000 delegates, 174,000 delegate days,…
Tourism faces constant challenges, but political instability has emerged as a critical disruptor. How do political shifts affect travellers and how can destinations stay resilient? TOPOSOPHY’s research, based on a 6-country survey and case studies, explores traveller perceptions and offers smart strategies for destinations to build trust and adapt, whether facing a crisis or preparing…
From Boardroom: Associations are under pressure. Technology moves fast, members want different things, politics are unstable, and the climate crisis is ever-growing. Association leaders must make difficult decisions about what relevance means and how to partner strategically for impact. In this context, Sydney’s Leadership Choices: Driving Societal Change into Associations event served as a hands-on…
IAPCO is the global community for accredited PCOs. At AIME in Melbourne this year, the organisation’s immediate past president and CEO of ICMS Pty Ltd, Sarah Markey-Hamm, shares the importance of curiosity in achieving the most potent outcomes – and storytelling – being sought from the organisation’s member-facilitated events. Markey-Hamm and the organisation’s PR lead,…
The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) broke new ground when it successfully brought all industry organisations and stakeholders under one umbrella organisation. In so doing, its CEO, Melissa Brown, has the mandate to craft the message conveyed to government – across all departments. As its chair, Peter King, reminded The Iceberg when the association was…
“It’s more than a visitor economy,” says Damien Kitto, CEO of Business Events Adelaide. And the benchmarking and KPIs that track the impact data of events reveal metrics that extend far beyond the consumption economy of events hosted in the South Australian capital. The reason lies in the value sought by the Department of Trade…
From Boardroom: For decades, organisations operated on a simple premise: to generate profit. Yet in today’s fragmented world, where societal and environmental concerns weigh heavily on decision-making, financial performance alone no longer suffices. In response, BESydney has emerged as a leader in championing business events that prioritise long-term impact over short-term gain, turning meetings into…
From AMI: The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) have announced a new three-year Strategic Partnership, with joint research and white paper development at the heart of their collaboration. Under the agreement, both associations will co-author a white paper and share relevant industry research and studies with…
AIME 2020 pre-empted the pandemic. AIME 2025 pre-empted the unfolding of a global trade and intellectual engagement crisis. As a case study in fortunate timing, the Asia-Pacific’s annual meetings and business events trade show illustrated the harmony of globalisation when in full flow. It’s hard to imagine how the AUS$400m of trade reported from this…
The new UFI chief executive, Chris Skeith OBE, shares his vision and mission for the global association of the international exhibitions sector. With an immediate focus on advocacy, talent acquisition, and sustainability, Skeith is on a mission to accumulate the data and storytelling that are crucially important in realising these three pillars during his tenure….
This first edition of the AIPC Australian Academy is an intensive 4-day bootcamp covering all key aspects of venue management – from finance to operations – delivered in a variety of engaging formats, including lectures by global thought leaders, hands-on workshops, and team challenges. Participants will gain practical insights, industry best practices, and networking opportunities…
AIME is Asia Pacific’s largest and longest running business events exhibition and learning platform. It connects a global community of business event professionals with industry suppliers. AIME 2026 will play host to 20,000 meetings between exhibitors and buyers. We pride ourselves on the quality of these meetings, we use a seamless blend of human expertise…
From ASE News: The Positive Impact of Business Events Report is an overview of the immense value that business events deliver. From significant economic contributions, to community engagement and sector growth, to education, trade and investment; business events create real change and lasting legacies for Victoria. The informative and comprehensive report features case studies from…
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