In her capacity as Arinex Managing Director and as a member of numerous industry groups, Nicole Walker recently joined industry leaders in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne to raise awareness of the issues impacting business events.

In November, as a Councillor of the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) and President of the Events and Exhibitions Association Australasia (EEAA), Nicole joined a delegation to Canberra to meet with Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell and government departments Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Tourism Research Australia, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Tourism Australia.

The BECA-led delegation also included representatives from Meetings & Events Australia, the Professional Conference Organisers Association, the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux, the Australian Convention Centres Group and the PCO Association.

Key topics of discussion included opportunities for further collaboration between industry and government; and expansion of the Business Events Bid Fund Program expansion; the need for more research and data to highlight the contribution of business events to the economy; increased support for the workforce and skills; and improving Australia’s visa competitiveness.

Earlier that month, Nicole joined Business Events Sydney and industry representatives to discuss ‘Team Sydney’ priorities for the business visitor economy in 2023 and beyond. The group were joined by NSW Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin and included discussion on how government can support the sector’s return to form.

In October, Nicole joined the Melbourne Convention Bureau’s Business Events Roundtable where industry leaders engaged with Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos during a Q&A over lunch.

Nicole said it was an honour to be involved in industry advocacy efforts with various levels of government.

“Being part of collective efforts to ensure our industry is front and centre for government representatives and to highlight the important role business events play in driving substantial economic growth has been incredibly rewarding,” she said.

“We must continue to advocate for our industry and grow collaboration opportunities so that we can keep building back better.”