The peak industry body representing Australia’s business events industry groups, the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), has held a special general meeting of members to determine its future. There was a unanimous vote to voluntarily de-register BECA as the majority of its members indicated a preference to support a new peak body organisation from July 2023, impacting BECA’s future financial viability.

BECA will cease operations at the beginning of the new financial year but until that time it will continue to represent the business events industry to federal government and help operationalise the $2 million Business Events Economic Contribution project with Tourism Research Australia.

BECA Chair, Dr Leo Jago said, “In its 30 years as the peak body for business events, BECA has built a stellar list of achievements; it has been the unified voice in the industry’s advocacy to government and has been the key driver of the industry’s vital research studies to demonstrate the size of the sector. BECA has made these achievements despite its limited resources; it has punched well above its weight”.

In recent years the Australian business events industry has faced many challenges. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that BECA’s advocacy work is more important than ever, lobbying the Federal Government for JobKeeper for our industry sector and for the Business Events Grants Program, to name just a few. This activity highlights the need for the industry to continue to work together to grow.

In response to the challenges of the pandemic and to ensure the future financial sustainability of a peak body for business events, a review of BECA’s structure was undertaken. The aim of this review was to create a better resourced organisation to deliver the research, advocacy, and training essential to the growth of the industry.

To support the review, the BECA board appointed independent expert consultants to advise on the best operating model for the future based on their assessment of BECA’s current structure and operations. This review led to the formation of the Australian Business Events Association that will succeed BECA as the peak body for business events.

According to Dr Jago, “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. 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. BECA’s legacy will live on.”