BECA opts to de-register

THE Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) will be dissolved after its members voted unanimously to voluntarily deregister the peak industry body.

At a special general meeting held last week to determine the body’s future, a majority of BECA members indicated a preference to support the newly established Australian Business Events Association ( TD 04 May).

The new body was created in response to a review of BECA’s structure following the pandemic, which saw independent expert consultants advise on the best operating model for the future.

Until it ceases operations at the start of the new financial year, BECA will continue to represent the business events industry to federal government as well as help drive the $2 million Business Events Economic Contribution project with Tourism Research Australia.

Since its launch 30 years ago, BECA has acted as a major voice of advocacy on behalf of the event industry, and according to Chair Leo Jago, has “punched well above its weight” despite limited resources.

“The global pandemic challenged Australia’s business events industry and highlighted the need for a well-resourced peak body to foster the growth of business events via a focus on research, advocacy, and professional development,” Jago stated.

“BECA and its many achievements provides a solid platform upon which a new and better resourced peak body will support business events in the decades to come,” he added.

The industry body boasts a lengthy list of achievements, including lobbying the Federal Government for JobKeeper for the industry sector and for the Business Events Grants Program.