New format for Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) 2003

A new format for the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) will be introduced next year, with the event to be shortened to seven days, Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) Executive General Manager, Marketing Development Stephen O'Neill has announced. 

"ATC 2003 will include a new seven day format (reduced from nine days), shorter appointments and a cross-over day for sellers and buyers attending the Eastern and Western Hemisphere," Mr O'Neill said. 

"The changes to the ATE format are based on research of delegates attending the event in 2002 and have been introduced to ensure ATE continues to provide an effective business forum for the industry. 

"The research shows that overall ATE 2002 was a great success, however there are a few areas the industry would like to change. 

"According to the research the majority of the industry were satisfied with ATE's module format. In fact, around 68 per cent of sellers attending the Eastern module and 63 per cent of sellers attending the Western module were satisfied or very satisfied with the module format.

"Sellers attending both modules also indicated a high level of satisfaction with the overall event, however there was a higher level of dissatisfaction with the module format, in part due to the length of the event. These delegates have indicated the nine-day event was too long. 

"The new format will reduce the time industry spend away from the office, lower costs and provide a more effective business forum for both buyers and sellers at ATE.

Changes to ATE 2003 include: 

ATE will be held over seven days (reduced by two days). Delegates for the Eastern Module will register on Saturday 14 June, with appointments running for 2 ½ days (Sunday 15 June -Tuesday 17 June). The Western Module will run 3 ½ days (Tuesday 17 June - Friday 20 June). 

The new format will include a 'cross-over' day for Eastern and Western modules (Tuesday 17 June). This will provide delegates with greater networking opportunities and market development opportunities for buyers with access to product attending alternate modules. 

A function will be held on the cross-over day for buyers and sellers attending both modules providing additional networking opportunities.

Market briefings, previously held at ATE, will now be held in February (before preferences for buyer appointments are open). This will provide the industry with the latest information on market trends, as well as information on how to maximise the opportunities at ATE. 

Mr O'Neill said the ATC would continue to respond to industry feedback on ATE to ensure the event remains relevant and cost effective for operators Australia-wide and to provide the best forum for industry to network with international buyers. 

"Trade events remain a critical forum for the industry to develop and maintain relationships with key international buyers to ensure their products continued to be sold around the world to the travelling public," he said.