Surf Coast conference venues team up to make a splash in Melbourne
- Simon Loone, Business & Tourism Coordinator
- May 15, 2017
- 2 min read
Four major conference venues teamed up with Council in February at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) in a bid to attract more conferences to the Surf Coast.
It looks like it’s paying off already, as one venue has already secured a conference, with several more reporting good leads.
AIME is a two day exhibition which attracts conference organisers from Australia and world-wide. There were more than 3,900 visitors to the show including 275 conference buyers.
RACV Torquay, Peppers the Sands Torquay, Cumberland Lorne Resort and Surf Coast Hotel shared a stand at the Expo as ‘Business Events Great Ocean Road’. They connected with more than 114 conference buyers to promote Torquay, Lorne and the region as a conference destination.
A single buyer can control a budget well in excess of $1M and coordinate a series of national and international conferences for major corporate clients (e.g. banks, telecommunications) or non-profit organisations.
A Great Ocean Road Conference Destination Guide was provided to all potential conference buyers at AIME. The Guide promotes the conference venues and as well as 46 local restaurants, venues and activity providers who also cater for corporate groups. It is also available for download from www.businesseventsgreatoceanroad.com.au.
The Surf Coast has a competitive advantage over many Victorian regions in conferencing due to its proximity to Melbourne, large number of 4.5 to 5 star venues and a wide range of quality venues for off-site dinners and activities.
Conferences are great for our region as they attract visitors who spend more money on average and are generally held during the quieter off-peak months. A conference that was secured for Lorne from a previous AIME Expo is the International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology (ICEEP). It is a five day international conference for 200 delegates from Australia and overseas to be held in Lorne this November.
If you would like to know more about promoting your business to a conference and group market, contact Simon Loone, Business & Tourism Coordinator on 5261 0608 or sloone@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.
תגובות