AACB sets future direction

The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) held its Annual General Meeting last week where achievements were highlighted and the strategic plan for 2015-18 set.

Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of Business Events Sydney, was re-elected as President of the AACB with the full support of the board. Ms Lewis-Smith thanked the AACB board and management for their efforts and ongoing commitment to the business events industry over the past 12 months.

“The AACB has had an extremely productive year. Our activities, strongly aligned to the Association’s strategic direction, have resulted in some great wins and progress on a number fronts,” said Ms Lewis-Smith. “Importantly, the AACB has been a unified and powerful voice for its 16 members on the key issues for the business events industry.”

Key initiatives delivered in 2014/15 include:

· delivery of the research project with Deloitte Access Economics, Australia’s Business Events Sector: The Economic and Strategic Value Proposition
· implementation of AACB’s advocacy platform, Business Events: Delivering Economic Prosperity for Australia
· collaboration with the Office of the Federal Minister for Trade and Investment, Tourism Australia, Austrade and industry to achieve the new framework, Attracting Business Events to Australia: The Role of Government Agencies
· formal responses to two Productivity Commission inquiries: Australia’s International Tourism Industry; and Barriers to Services Exports, and
· formal submission to the 2015 Review of the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) Scheme.

The next 12 months will focus on the implementation of the AACB’s recently updated and renewed Strategic Action Plan, including:

· continued leadership in raising the profile of the business events industry by promoting the economic contribution and social impact of business events to Australia
· delivery of an industry-wide advocacy campaign that unites the sector
· influence and leverage our partnership with the Australian Government to drive policy and investment decisions for the business events sector
· leverage the Federal Government’s framework, Attracting Business Events to Australia: The Role of Government Agencies
· ensure sustainability and relevance through stakeholder engagement and delivery of an industry-wide advocacy agenda and strategy.

“The business events industry offers high and strong yielding results for the Australian economy,“ commented Ms Lewis-Smith. “The AACB will continue to lead and offer a strong voice to help raise the profile of business events, influence government and remain relevant to its members and key stakeholders.”

sourced:traveldailynews.asia