22 August 2008

Record number of Aussie Exhibitors at PAICE

PAICE is the showcase for Asian, Australian and Pacific Rim conference and incentive suppliers aiming to attract corporate and association end-users, plus incentive houses and professional conference organisers from New Zealand.

A record number of 45 Australian exhibitors descended on Auckland to attend the Pacific Area Incentives and Conferences Expo (PAICE). Stretching over half the exhibition floor, the Ã¢â¬ËœAustralia PavilionÃ¢â¬â¢ created maximum impact for AustraliaÃ¢â¬â¢s sales mission.

Prior to the Expo, Tourism AustraliaÃ¢â¬â¢s Managing Director, Mr Geoff Buckley, said that PAICE would provide an opportunity for Australia to showcase the $3.7 billion dollars of new investment in business events infrastructure around the country.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœConference and incentive infrastructure is expanding at an impressive rate. From convention centres to hotels, resorts and unique attractions, Australia is investing in new facilities across the country to meet the needs of this market,Ã¢â¬~ he said.

There are strong motivating factors for New Zealanders to choose Australia as their conference and incentive destination. Virgin BlueÃ¢â¬â¢s significant expansion of capacity across the Tasman, AustraliaÃ¢â¬â¢s wide selection of Green Globe accredited meeting and conference facilities and the publicity around Baz LuhrmannÃ¢â¬â¢s Australia the movie.

New Zealanders know better than anyone the impact a major motion picture can have on tourism and itÃ¢â¬â¢s with great anticipation that we look forward to the movieÃ¢â¬â¢s launch.

Head of Business Events Australia, Joyce DiMascio said, Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe exhibitors attending PAICE demonstrate the range of quality business events products and services available in Australia.

New Zealand is a crucial market to AustraliaÃ¢â¬â¢s business events sector and is our largest international market for business events in Australia, making up 25% of the inbound business events market.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœOur presence at PAICE will help position Australia front-of-mind for conference and incentive decision makers. Keeping conference organisers updated on the array of new facilities, exciting products, bespoke programs and fresh ideas AustraliaÃ¢â¬â¢s business events community are creating, will ensure New Zealand business travellers have attractive reasons to return,Ã¢â¬~ she said.

This year, 30% of the Australian exhibitors are new to PAICE. They include a diverse range of business events suppliers, including convention and visitor bureaux, hotels, resorts, convention centres, venues, team building programs, attractions and transport operators.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœPAICE showcases to the New Zealand market the array of business events options Australia offers. According to Tourism Research Australia, in 2007/08 there were 46,900 New Zealanders who visited Australia for a business event, up 3% compared to the previous year.

ItÃ¢â¬â¢s our aim to keep this market growing,Ã¢â¬~ Ms DiMascio said.

A Report By the Mole