The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ (ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½) and the have signed a memorandum of understanding today at the to strengthen their partnership through a commitment to work together on three key issues facing the Australian business events industry.

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and ABEA will collectively amplify their core values and positions on three pillars: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); Legacy and Sustainability; and Talent Development and Retention by the publishing of white papers, access to programmes and information sharing, and developing key opportunities for emerging leaders.

Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, said that the Australian Business Events Association had led the way with its unification of industry bodies, providing a powerful entry point into the Australian sector.

“We are delighted to work with the Australian Business Events Association team to take strong, practical, and impactful steps to supporting the success of the Australian industry.

“ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ brings world-class programmes, connections and experience that we willingly share with our Australian colleagues. This is an exciting partnership, and we look forward to its ensuing success,” said Gopinath.

Peter King, Chair, ABEA, said that as the leading voice for business events, this was an opportunity to harness well-renowned international expertise and connections to amplify the work of ABEA for its members.

“We know our members are needing to embed DEI principles, sustainability, and develop talent to thrive in the competitive marketplace. Our partnership with ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is designed to provide unparalleled opportunities for our members, and the sector, to tackle these challenges head on.

“No one organisation can do this on their own. By joining forces with ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, the global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry, we can pool our resources and focus to achieve the outcomes we all need,” said King.

The MOU details the work that the two organisations will complete together under the three pillars.

Pillar One: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and ABEA will support members and associations in their DEI practices by:

  • Collecting and sharing case studies.
  • Co-publishing a White Paper focusing on the impacts and opportunities of multiculturalism in the Business Events industry.
  • ABEA members will have access to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s International Business Events Preceptorship Programme that facilitates educational mentoring opportunities with ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ global members (Preceptors), allowing ABEA members the opportunity to learn about global best practices.

Pillar Two: Legacy and Sustainable Industry. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and ABEA are united in their goal to advocate to government and stakeholders on the importance of the Business Events industry as a key economic and social impact driver.

  • ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ to initiate cross-regional collaboration on Business Events legacy impact with ABEA through case studies and other information sharing.
  • ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and ABEA will host quarterly meetings to discuss progress, stakeholder engagement and advocacy programmes.

Pillar Three: Talent Development and Retention. This pillar works to address workforce challenges.

  • ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and ABEA to collaborate on the Emerging Leaders Challenge at AIME 2024. This programme aims to provide recognition and a voice for emerging leader professionals to share their ideas on refining the Business Events proposition in the area of talent attraction and retention.
  • The winner will be awarded ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s scholarship to pursue the ICCA certification as a Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS).
  • ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and ABEA will review the Emerging Leaders Challenge in 2024 to address how the programme will be delivered for 2025.

The MOU commenced 19 February 2024 and will be reassessed in December 2026.

For more information, please contact Claudia.b@iccaworld.org 

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NOTES TO EDITOR:

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is a global community and knowledge hub for the international association – and governmental – meetings industry. Founded in 1963, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ specialises in the international association meetings sector, offering data, education, communication channels, as well as business development and networking opportunities. Today, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ continues to advocate for the world of international meetings. The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Association Community offers associations across the world education, connections, tools, and resources to help them organise more effective and successful meetings. 

Read more: www.iccaworld.org 

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ ABEA

The Australian Business Events Association Ltd (ABEA) is the leading industry body responsible for representing and supporting the prosperity of the organisations and people that work in, or benefit from the Australian Business Events Sector. 

ABEA represents the unified ambitions of the Australian business events industry and its people. We will drive real impact regarding sector growth and development through advocacy, members support and innovation. 

ABEA logo available for