Australia to focus on Green Events at TABEE 2009

Australia’s capabilities to deliver ‘green’ events will be the focus of the 11th Team Australia Business Events Educational (TABEE) trade mission to Kuala Lumpur next month.

The event, which is expected to bring around 40 Australian convention bureaux and industry partners together to meet with 100 corporate meeting and incentive decision makers from across Asia, gets underway from 2 to 4 March.

Tourism Australia Managing Director, Geoff Buckley said the theme for the event this year – ‘meet where the environment and community matter’ – would provide an opportunity to showcase Australia’s CSR credentials.

“The Asian business events market is extremely important to Australia and TABEE provides an opportunity to meet face-to-face with the key decision makers across Asia,” Mr Buckley said.

“This year we will be focused on promoting Australia’s ability to deliver world class, sustainable business events with amazing tailor-made experiences.

“Tourism Australia recently completed an audit of Australian business events product which provides strong evidence that Australia is leading the way in terms of corporate social responsibility specific to business events.

“TABEE 2009 will provide an opportunity to highlight the results of this new report to our business partners in Asia and in particular the venues and services in Australia that can assist businesses in staging events which have a greater social and environmental focus.

“We know that 2009 is going to be a tough year for many businesses and that many will be tempted to focus on short term solutions but our commitment to promoting sustainable business events is a long term strategy aimed at achieving best business practices.”

Tourism Australia’s Head of Business Events Australia, Joyce DiMascio said TABEE was extremely effective in enabling the Australian industry to establish important relationships with corporate meeting and incentive decision makers to boost their profile in Asia.

“TABEE provides a fantastic opportunity to ensure that Australia’s strong partnerships with the business events sector in Asia continue,” Ms DiMascio said.“In the current climate TABEE is a great forum for highlighting Australia’s competitive advantages – whether it’s the world-class facilities, new products and experiences, inspiring programs, or a commitment to corporate social responsibility.

“In delivering TABEE this year we are asking all partners to support our ‘green’ focus in big and small ways so that the decision makers can experience first-hand Australia’s creative approach to delivering sustainable business events.

“The program will also include experts on corporate social responsibility specific to the business events industry to assist our partners in making informed choices about future corporate meetings and incentives,” Ms DiMascio said.

Guest speakers for TABEE 2009 will include: Scientist and broadcaster, Robin Williams speaking on Environmental Advocacy; President of MCI, Asia Pacific, Robin Loekerman; and Sustainability Consultant, Robyn Joseph. Key Executives from the Asian pharmaceutical, travel and insurance sectors will also speak at the event.

Buyers participating in the event will include agents and corporate end users representing the pharmaceutical, direct selling and insurance industries from 11 key markets in Asia, including China, Korea, India and Taiwan.

Australia’s delegation for the trade mission will include: 10 Australian convention bureaux; key business events hotel operators and convention venues including Accor, IHG and Hilton Sydney; incentive product operators such as Dreamworld; production companies such as Offsite Connections; and inbound tour operators such as ATM, JTM and PTC.

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