BESydney expands the 2012 ABEE Hosted Buyer Program

Australia’s leading convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney), in conjunction with the Australian Business Event Expo (ABEE) and airline partner Qantas, has expanded the ABEE Hosted Buyer Program to include both Hosted and Semi-hosted Buyer Programs that will run from 14–16 August 2012.

Last year’s Hosted Buyer Program catered for a qualified number of fully hosted buyers. This year, expanding the program to two streams will introduce more local buyers to the show floor and enhance the quality and quantity of appointments for exhibitors.

“The expansion of the ABEE Hosted Buyer Program is a strategic decision to ensure ABEE’s show floor continues to be a dynamic platform for supplier and client connection, networking and business,” comments Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney.

“The two distinct programs ensure that both the hosted and semi-hosted buyer experience is productive, as well as educational, and really delivers on the modern day buyer’s needs. We’ve acted on feedback provided by previous participants and have made supplier appointments, key site inspections and networking the priorities in both programs.”

Jodie Richmond, CEO of Exhibition and Trade Fairs (the owner of ABEE) adds, “It is fantastic to work alongside Business Events Sydney and airline partner Qantas to grow the already successful ABEE Hosted Buyer Program. Our combined understanding of the business event market, paired with a savvy, concise format, will see the Program deliver enhanced results to both our Buyers and our Exhibitors this year.

Hosted buyers will receive complimentary Qantas return travel to Sydney and 2 nights' accommodation in a leading Sydney hotel. This program includes participation in the educational program that is punctuated with fantastic speaking talent, scheduled appointments, the Destination Site Inspection Tour, gala events and all ground logistics.

Semi-hosted buyers will have the opportunity to schedule appointments with suppliers, listen to selected speakers on the educational program and enjoy the ABEE Hosted Buyer Dinner. They will also have the option of participating in a full-day Destination Site Inspection Tour.

The Australian Business Events Expo runs from 15–16 August 2012 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and is the ultimate marketplace for business events in Australia.

Busy 2012 for Sydney

Business Event Sydney (BESydney) reports it has secured conferences, congresses and incentive programs that will see over 211,200 delegate days spent in Australia’s harbour city in 2012.

Worth an estimated A$191 million to the New South Wales economy, the events range from small incentive groups to mid-size congresses and international mega events.

“The 2012 calendar year is going to be a bumper year for the business events industry in Sydney and the economic and social legacies of these events will be substantial,” said Lyn Lewis-Smith, BESydney’s acting chief executive.

The events are spread throughout the year, although March will be a stand-out month with eight international events scheduled.

In total, 9,500 delegates will spend more than 39,700 delegate days in Sydney in March. These events include the 3,200-delegate-strong USANA Asia Pacific Convention, the XVI International Symposium on Atherosclerosis that is expected to attract 1,500 delegates and a 1,500-delegate Tupperware Indonesia incentive group.