Regional MICE shake up
THE NSW Government’s decision to restructure the State’s regional tourism organisations to form six dedicated Destination Networks across the state ( E breaking news), has also prompted the creation of an all new dedicated regional conferencing unit.
Aimed to grow MICE business and visitation, the Conferencing Unit will work to develop a client database of associations and corporations with a propensity to meet in regional NSW.
A fresh conferencing website and portal will soon be implemented, with the unit to work alongside Destination Networks to improve the information and visibility of business conference infrastructure and the service capabilities of the regions.
It is currently unknown who will head the new bureau, with a Destination NSW spokesperson telling Business Events News it had yet to be decided.
Other initiatives to be undertaken by the conferencing unit include developing government and industry partnerships to nurture and realise potential conference opportunities, and assisting the industry with development of bid document templates and responses to Request for Tenders.
Tourism Accommodation Association ceo Carol Giuseppi lauded the news, saying the dedicated regional conferencing unit was an intiative TAA had been advocating for years.
“This is an excellent initiative by the NSW Government because while weekend and holiday tourism has remained strong in many regional centres, other areas have seen downturns in business travel and conferencing due to the depressed mining, manufacturing and agriculture sectors,” she remarked.