AusLeisure

Policies which attract more conventions and exhibitions to Australia should be a priority for all political parties to reverse a decline in Australia’s business events industry, according to the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB).

The AACB’s election call message comes on the back of Australia slipping in global rankings for the number of international association meetings held.

AACB Chief Executive Andrew Hiebl “the International Congress and Convention Association’s (newly) released annual country and city rankings for 2015 show Australia has slid two places from 13th to 15th with 247 international meetings held – down by 13 from 2014.

“While the number of international association meetings recorded in 2015 increased by 5% to 12,076, Australia’s share decreased from 2.3% to 2%.

“This is a trend in the wrong direction. With the Federal Government’s focus on innovation, smart cities, transitioning the economy and jobs of the future, Australia needs a national strategy to secure more international conventions.

“In addition, Australia also fell behind within our own region, slipping from 3rd to 4th place in the Asia Pacific and Middle East after Japan, China and South Korea.

“Australia should aspire to return to a top 10 spot on the international rankings, a position we haven’t achieved since 2009.”

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