Hey, big spenders: We love you in Melbourne

Saturday, 17 Feb, 2014 0

Business events in Melbourne may not be as "sexy" as the city’s sports events such as the Australian Open tennis and Formula One Grand Prix, "but they deliver similar economic benefits to the city", says Karen Bolinger, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau.

A new study confirms higher-yielding business events are outstripping other sectors of Australia’s visitor economy.

"The challenge is to make the wider public understand the value of business events to the economy," Bolinger said.

Opening Business Events Week in Melbourne, Bolinger drew attention to the Melbourne Convention Delegate Study 2013 that revealed that international conference delegates are now spending more than twice as much (A$1019 per day) as a typical international leisure tourist.

Almost half (49%) of all international business event delegates to Melbourne came from Asia, led by Chinese and Indian visitors, while more than half of all national and international delegates (56%) visited regional Victoria and/or other parts of Australia pre or post conference, a 26% increase from a 2010 study.

Bolinger said the content or programme of the event was the most important factor in the decision to attend a conference in Melbourne.

"The research reveals that business events are critical in furthering developments in scientific and medical research, as well as fuelling ongoing growth for the state’s economy.

"This alone presents a very strong business case to local and state government and other stakeholders to continue to support the industry," Bolinger said.

Ian Jarrett

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