Australia's CEI sector poised for solid year

By Ben Lerwill Perth Western Australia's (WA) conference and incentive sector is on course for its healthiest sales year to date. The forecast was reported by the Perth Convention Bureau, and is based on projected incoming business, as well as the AU$37m (US$28.2m) worth of events that have already been secured. The news signals a solid international future for the state, which has traditionally taken a backseat to the C&I appeal of Australia's east coast. Western Australia's sales target for the 2003/04 financial year currently stands at AU$87m (US$66.5m), which would represent the highest level of turnover in the bureau's 31-year history. Bureau director of sales and marketing Jill Henry said: "We are awaiting decisions on business worth more than AU$50m (US$38.2) in delegate expenditure, so the outlook is promising. "Assuming that we have a stable global environment in the next six months, we are confident that we will achieve our target." A further boost to WA's meetings industry will come with the imminent opening of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Set to be unveiled in August, the 2,500-seat purpose-built venue has already secured several international conference bookings, including the 2006 World Allied Health Conference, which is expected to bring in around 600 delegates. Meanwhile, the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau is also preparing for a hugely profitable year. The 37,000 meetings delegates expected in the city are likely to make an economic impact equivalent to AU$165m (US$126m).