by Mat Churchill

Over the last decade Australia has dropped from fourth to 16th in the world as the preferred location in which to hold a major business event.

Chairman of the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), Geoff Donaghy,  said Australia needed an additional $10 million annually in funding from the Federal Government in order to compete with Asia, who are leading the way when it comes to the business events sector.

"Australia is being outspent, out marketed and out performed," he said.

"We can only address that if Canberra is able to match and support industry and state government spending.

"We are struggling to compete with our Asian neighbours for important conferences, fairs and exhibitions that generate globally US$175 billion a year in straight dollar terms and much more in knowledge exchange, network  building and ideas generation,"

Mr Donaghy said the additional $10 million would help BECA win bids for major business events and get delegates to attend conferences held in Australia. He also added that regional centres would benefit from an increase in business events. "We are in an industry that if you are standing still you are going backwards and we need that to turn around," he said.

Marian McLeod, Director of Sales and Marketing at Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas said they felt the effects last year. "We had a drop in business events of 40% in 2009 due to a tough year (the GFC). It's halfway back now and forward bookings are looking strong."

Ms McLeod added a contributing factor that remains a challenge today is the cost involved for businesses to actually get to Port Douglas. "We're an expensive destination to get to, so we have to offer the best service."