BUSINESS EVENTS PERTH

Over the two days, delegates heard from a diverse line-up of speakers under the theme ‘Re-Generation for the Adventure Industry’. The innovators and pioneers, who are shaping the emerging landscape of the adventure travel industry, examined various topics that covered ‘The Re-Generation Opportunity", "Delivering what the next generation of adventure travellers want", "Recalibrating Tourism’s Standards", "Can local cuisine drive travel recovery?", "Ensuring a more equal recovery", "The future of online experiences", "Putting our communities first", and "Resiliency is the new sustainability".

The conference was opened by Soon Hwa Wong, Chair of PATA, and Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat of the Philippines Department of Tourism.

“In a span of a few months, the pandemic radically transformed the operating landscape of the global MICE industry. Despite the challenges, we are thankful for the opportunity to partner with PATA in organizing this travel mart and conference in a hybrid format as we continue to pursue a safe reopening of the Philippines’ tourism destinations. We acknowledge the commitment and continual support of PATA for the industry’s fast and effective recovery through the various technical assistance, information sharing and capacity development activities they have rolled out,” commented the Minister. Other confirmed speakers for the event included Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., Undersecretary, Philippine Department of Tourism; Carmen Roberts, The Travel Show Presenter, BBC World News; Natasha Martin, Adventure Tourism Expert; Dan Sandoval, Co-Founder, Perspective China; Deeya Bajaj, Director of Operations and Business Development, Snow Leopard Adventures; Jessica Yew, Co-founder & Director, Sticky Rice Travel; Bob Zozobrado, Chairman, PATA Philippines Chapter; Erik Wolf, Founder & Executive Director, The World Food Travel Association; Leila Calnan, Sustainable Tourism Expert, Chemonics International; Sarah Mathews, Group Head of Destination Marketing APAC, Tripadvisor; Jeremy Sampson, CEO, The Travel Foundation; Graham Harper, Special Advisor for Sustainability & Social Responsibility, PATA; Ann Dumaliang, Managing Trustee, Masungi Georeserve Foundation; Andreas Hofmann, Project Manager, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ); Dr. Trevor Girard, Director of Standards & Accreditation, Hotel Resilient; Jessie F. McComb, Tourism Specialist, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Dr. Mario Hardy, former CEO, PATA and Liz Ortiguera, CEO, PATA.

“I would like to sincerely thank all our delegates and speakers for joining us to discuss, analyse and share their various ideas in planning, building and promoting a responsible travel and tourism industry, particularly as we look toward the restart of travel post COVID-19,” said Dr. Hardy. “As the last official PATA event for me as the CEO, I would also like to thank the Philippines Department or Tourism for the valuable support not only for this event but during my entire time in office. I would also like to thank our various sponsors, partners, PATA members and staff who all worked hard to organise this highly successful event. It has truly been an honour to be able to work with you all.”

BUSINESS EVENTS PERTH SECURES AUSTRALIA’S LEADING BIOTECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA IN 2022

Business Events Perth has secured Australia’s largest life sciences conference, AusBiotech, to come to Western Australia in 2022. Business Events Perth chief executive Gareth Martin said AusBiotech 2022 is expected to attract over 1000 delegates to Perth, as well as bring new commercial opportunities to Western Australia’s thriving biotechnology industry.

“Western Australia’s life science industry is one of the fastest growing in Australia, with the total economic contribution estimated to be UK£ 16.22 billion last year,” Mr Martin said.

AusBiotech will be held in Perth in October 2022 and is expected to attract researchers, developers, start-ups, investors, innovators, universities, and corporates from all over Australia and around the world. Running in conjunction with the conference is the leading Australia Biotech Invest & Partnering event, which will provide opportunities for local companies and professional service providers to connect with key stakeholders and investors.

There are currently around 40 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and more than 50 medtech and digital health companies based in Western Australia, along with 22 research institutions and almost 65 services and support organisations.

“Business events, like conferences, act as a front door for trade and investment, and AusBiotech creates a platform for current and future biotech leaders to pitch their new products to potential investors, creating new opportunities and collaborations, supporting local jobs.”

Lorraine Chiroiu, CEO, AusBiotech said, “AusBiotech is thrilled to be partnering with Business Events Perth and the WA Government to bring two of Australia’s premier life science events to Perth in 2022, for the first time in more than 15 years. The mature sector continues to flourish and deliver social and economic benefits to the country, and these platforms offer critical opportunities for industry to engage with each other and with potential investors and partners.

“Business Events Perth is focusing on securing tradeshows and events aligned to defined State strategic priorities, demonstrating sector capabilities that drive innovation, foster trade, productivity, global competitiveness, and job diversification in Western Australia. “The annual AusBiotech conference is an exciting opportunity for our medical and life sciences community to showcase its competitive advantages, build networks and secure new partnerships,” Science Minister Roger Cook said. “This conference will bring together national and international biotech leaders and stakeholders, attracting speakers from around the globe and showcasing more than 100 companies.” Tourism Minister David Templeman said he couldn’t wait to welcome international delegations back to Perth and show what the city, and our local life sciences sectors have to offer to the world.

“With a rapidly growing life sciences industry, there has never been a better time for WA to host AusBiotech conference in 2022,” Minister Templeman said.

Business Events Perth partnered with the Western Australian Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the City of Perth to secure the event.