Australia’s inaugural Business Events Week (BEW) has been boosted by the inclusion of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition (Avalon Airshow) to its program of events.
Business Events Week, to be held in Melbourne from 25 February to March 1, 2013 and designed to showcase the value of business events to both Victoria and Australia, coincides with the Avalon Airshow, which features a comprehensive line up of international conferences, seminars and symposia for the aviation and aerospace industries in addition to its public events.
Karen Bolinger, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Melbourne Convention + Visitor’s Bureau (MCVB), the organisation coordinating BEW in its first year, said the Avalon Airshow provides the perfect example of what the week-long program of events was trying to achieve.
“Business Events Week is not just for the business events industry; it’s about highlighting the benefits of hosting business events to decision makers in industries ranging from science and medicine to engineering and education,” Ms Bolinger said.
“In addition to generating economic wealth for the city, state and country, business events provide the opportunity to exchange ideas, access new technology and establish valuable business and professional networks to name just a few.
“The Avalon Airshow is one of the Asia-Pacific’s most prestigious aviation, aerospace and defence events, and is a prime example of how to showcase the latest in innovation and technology to both a trade and public audience in order to achieve business objectives.
“We are delighted that such a key player of this industry will be joining us to support the inaugural Business Events Week,” said Ms Bolinger.
The Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition is comprised of a trade exhibition from 26 February to 1 March, and a public airshow from 1 to 3 March. The National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) estimates the economic value of the Avalon Airshow to the Victorian economy to be $120 million, and the direct economic impact to the Geelong region to be $20 million.
Avalon Airshow CEO, Ian Honnery, said the organisation was thrilled to be part of the official BEW program of events, which will assist in gaining recognition for the aviation and aerospace industries.
