Destination South Australia Resumes Business Events in Adelaide in 2022

The “Adelaide Convention Bureau” (ACB) is hosting some 100 interstate event planners, local suppliers and trade media to its Destination South Australia national business event In Adelaide this week (23-25 February).

“With borders finally open and air schedules returning to normality, Adelaide is truly back open for interstate and international business events,” says ACB Chief Executive Damien Kitto.

Mr Kitto said that the reality was, Adelaide had been leading the way throughout 2021 with a return to face-to-face business events, and its reputation for holding COVID Safe business events was now enabling it to create strong momentum for the local sector with 97 domestic business events worth $218 million in economic value to the State already scheduled for the year.

Out of Destination South Australia – where guests can see exactly what a niche boutique destination with world class attributes in venues and hotels can provide for their business event – could attract some 39 business events equating to $78 million in economic benefit to the State.

“We don’t use the event’s theme “Adelaide – be surprised” lightly,” says Mr Kitto. “Many guests remain surprised by how much in quality and choice Adelaide has to offer business delegates in 2022, and it is all readily available in an easily walkable, yet spacious city – a city where we keep being told by delegates every person they meet is incredibly friendly and helpful.

“Such a reputation is invaluable as we rebuild post COVID.” says Mr Kitto. “We are proud at the ACB that even in 2021 we managed to hold Australia’s first large national face to face business event in Ozwater and that momentum has continued into 2022.

“Delegates are desperate to return to that face to face knowledge transfer to benefit their organisations and to visit our innovation precincts such as BioMed City, Lot 14, Tonsley and Waite. Business is ramping up and we are too,” said Mr Kitto.

Business events was one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic. But Mr Kitto said no-one should be negative about a strong turnaround. “It is happening. Yes it will be some months before we begin to see the results of the hard work we have undertaken during COVID to secure business events out past 2025, but our business event venues and our hotels will be full again with delegates, and the economic return we deliver to the city and state is strong with an ROI of 40:1,” he said.