IN A MAJOR win for Western Australia, the world’s largest marine mammal conference will be held in Perth in 2023, bringing thousands of marine experts from around the world and injecting A$10 million into the local economy.
Business Events Perth secured the successful bid to bring the 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals to Perth in December 2023.
As the largest conference of its kind, it is expected to attract more than 2,000 members of the Society for Marine Mammals (SMM) to Western Australia over eight days, including pre and post touring to the regions, generating more than $10 million in direct delegate expenditure (DDE).
“This is welcome news for Western Australia and comes at a crucial time for the local business events industry, which has been impacted significantly by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Gareth Martin, Business Events Perth chief executive.
“We are proud to secure such a high-profile event for the state, and regional Western Australia will also benefit with many delegates dispersing to our regions to experience our marine mammals firsthand.”
The event was secured with support from Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program while Business Events Perth proposed an attractive funding package.
Federal Minister for Tourism Simon Birmingham said Western Australia was renowned for its spectacular, unspoilt marine environments making it fitting for Perth to host the event.
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“This conference will provide a boost to the local economy and give businesses confidence in the road ahead as the industry begins to rebuild from the impacts caused by coronavirus,” said Birmingham.
“Lucrative business events such as these require significant planning and by securing them now we are not only looking to the long-term recovery of our tourism industry but ensuring Australia is kept front of mind for decision makers as a world-class events destination.”
Perth was up against competing bids from China and Singapore.
President-Elect of the Society for Marine Mammalogy Charles Littnan said: ““Our members will be traveling from around the world to share their cutting-edge science at the conference and take advantage of all that Western Australia has to offer.”
Main picture: One of the activities at Tourism Australia’s Dreamtime Perth incentive showcase
