Tourism Aus, Qantas invest in industry’s future

Tourism Aus, Qantas invest in industry’s future

The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) has announced its partnership with Tourism Australia and Qantas will live to see another day (and then some more days).

The partnership helps deliver the AACB Staff Scholarship for 2017/18, offering a middle to senior level convention bureau staff member the opportunity to demonstrate their professional commitment to the business events industry by delivering a project which highlights innovation and excellence.

A successful applicant will receive a $5,500 cash grant and a return international flight to undertake a proposed professional development project that brings benefit to their bureau and AACB members.

Tourism Australia and Qantas both recognise the important role that convention bureau play in attracting business events to Australia and, therefore, see this scholarship as an investment in the future leadership of the industry.

Penny Lion, Executive General Manager Events at Tourism Australia, said, “Tourism Australia is proud to continue its long-standing sponsorship of the AACB Staff Scholarship program. It’s one of the many ways we support the development of our industry, and we know it will deliver benefits for Australia.”

Rob Harrison, Head of Agency Partnerships, Qantas, said, “Qantas is pleased to continue its support of a program that recognises excellence and a commitment to the business events sector. The scholarship will go towards delivering benefits for the business events industry and inbound tourism.”

AACB CEO, Andrew Hiebl said, “The AACB is glad to be continuing this partnership in the professional recognition and encouragement of excellence in our industry”.

Samantha Thompson from Gold Coast Business Events was last year’s winner, with a winning proposal based around the research, planning and implementation of a large-scale business events legacy strategy, focused on the Commonwealth Games 2018. Samantha intends to visit Scotland to gain greater insight into the Business Events Legacy Plans designed to leverage the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

As part of the scholarship requirements, Thompson will share her observations and lessons learned during the 28th AACB Annual Conference in 2017.

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