Monday 20 May 2019, Frankfurt – Destinations International, a global community of over 5,000 professionals from 600 destinations around the world, has today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB), the organisation dedicated to strengthening the impact of the role that business events play in Australia’s economy. The MOU is the first stage in a long-term collaboration, which will enable the two organisations to share knowledge, connections and research.
As an association, Destinations International aims to inform, connect, inspire and educate its members to drive economic impact, job creation, community sustainability and quality of life through travel. Destinations International is dedicated to shaping the future of tourism and, along with AACB, aims to amplify the voice of the industry. The AACB is made up of 16 members which consist of local, regional and state based convention bureaus across Australia. This partnership will provide each organisation with a platform to access key resources for tourism development.
Together, Destinations International and AACB will join forces with Tourism Economics to develop an Australian version of the Event Impact Calculator (EIC), an easy-to-use calculator developed by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, and spearheaded by Destinations International. The tool allows destinations to analyse the economic value of an event or convention and quantify the return on investment. The EIC evaluates events over three modules – business events and also sports and cultural festivals – and is currently used by over 300 destinations worldwide. The Australian Event Impact Calculator will provide AACB’s members with a valuable tool for benchmarking and performance and deliver critical data needed to understand and further showcase the value that events bring to a destination when connecting with external partners, funders, and other key decision makers.
Don Welsh, President & CEO, Destinations International said, "We are delighted to partner with the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux. The Event Impact Calculator has empowered destination organisations and CVBs around the world to quantify an event’s value and, by extension, the case for the ongoing development of the meetings and events sector."
Andrew Hiebl, CEO, AACB, said, "We are delighted to be embarking on this journey with Destinations International. While many of Australia’s convention bureaux are world leading from a bidding and research perspective, the globally recognised Event Impact Calculator will provide our members with a nationally consistent model, allowing for best practise analysis and benchmarking – a priority for the AACB."
For more information about Destinations International visit destinationsinternational.org.
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About Destinations International:
Destinations International is the world’s largest resource for official destination organisations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. Destinations International is about serving destination marketing professionals first and foremost. Together with more than 5,000 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in approximately 15 countries, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association; exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org
About the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB):
The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux is the peak Australian business events network driving economic prosperity for Australia. The Association brings together 16 influential city and regional bureaux dedicated to marketing their specific region as premier business events destinations to domestic and international markets. AACB and its members represent more than 1700 tourism and events industry operators. For more information, visit www.aacb.org.au
For further press information please contact:
Media Contact, Europe:
Daniela Resenterra
[email protected]
44.20.7593.1771
Media Contact, USA:
Caitlyn Blizzard
[email protected]
1.202.835.4202
Media Contact, AACB:
Andrew Hiebl, Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
+61 408 367 338