Business event operators from around Australia have arrived in force in Macau to promote the latest business events products to buyers from across Asia.

“In this competitive global climate, TABEE is an ideal opportunity for Australian sellers to show new product and update our key clients from Asia,” Mr Buckley said.

“Sales missions such as this demonstrate Australia’s outstanding credentials when compared to the global competition.”

TABEE 2008 has seen more than 10 new products from around Australia represented at the event including two new Australia exhibitors – Darwin Convention Centre and Tour East.

“Australia can deliver fresh, new export-ready products such as those showcased at TABEE,” Mr Buckley said.

“These new products further demonstrate Australia’s unique attributes as a premium incentive destination.”

The 100 Asian buyers, which were fully hosted by Tourism Australia, were targeted for their potential to bring premium incentive and corporate meetings business to Australia.

“Australia has seen some excellent growth in business events from Asia in the past year especially in the growth of convention and conference visitors across all markets,” Mr Buckley said.

“During 2007, Asian business visitor arrivals accounted for almost 40 per cent of business visitors to Australia. More importantly, these visitors nominated attending a conference or convention as their primary reason for the visit.”

Head of Business Events Australia, Joyce DiMascio said the success of TABEE over its 10 year history was testimony to the commitment of the Australian industry to the sector.

“At this year’s event we have paid tribute to a number of Australian sellers who have made an enormous contribution to the event during its 10 year history,” Ms DiMascio said.

Those being acknowledged for their contribution to TABEE include:

· Martin Winter, Adelaide Convention Tourism Authority

· Peter Kinnane, Off-Site Connections Event Management

· Sandra Passaro, Sandra Passaro Consulting

· Karen Bolinger, Staging Connections

· Jon Hutchison (AM), Sydney Visitor and Convention Bureaux

· Qantas Airways Limited

· Johnny Nee, Tourism Australia Ms DiMascio said TABEE 2008 not only provided a business development opportunity for the Australian industry but also the opportunity to showcase the unique team building experiences Australia can offer.

“Australia’s success in the business events sector can been attributed to the fact that we can tailor experiences such as team building to the needs of our customers – rather than taking a one size fits all approach,” Ms DiMascio.

This year’s event has brought together 12 Australian convention bureaux and 38 industry partners to meet with more than 100 corporate meeting planners and incentive agents from 11 countries for one-on-one business appointments. The inaugural VIP program included a Business Forum on The challenges and opportunities for Asian business events in the future.

“Australia really punches above its weight in delivering meeting and incentive programs and in its tenth year TABEE has helped to consolidate Australia’s profile with our key customers across Asia,” Ms DiMascio said.