Meet Tasmania’s Science-Driven Event Strategy

Hobart beneath Kunanyi, Mt Wellington, with the waterfront precinct and IMAS facilities at the forefront © Tourism Australia

Lutruwita/Tasmania is building its future in the business events sector around knowledge and purpose. Through their Visionary Program, Business Events Tasmania connects association leaders with the state’s leading experts across industries such as Antarctic and marine science, renewable energy and agribusiness. These partnerships support associations in designing programmes that are grounded in research and real-world application, and connect delegates directly with the innovators who are shaping global change.

According to Marnie Craig (down right), Business Events Tasmania’s Chief Executive Officer, it is this collaborative approach that sets the island apart. By transforming scientific excellence into a conference legacy, Australia's southernmost state is proving that smaller destinations can lead in terms of content and impact rather than scale.

Lutruwita/Tasmania has set a clear ambition to grow its business events sector to A$300 million (approx. €185 million) by 2028, supported by the Business Events Attraction Fund and a focus on sector-led bidding. Beyond delegate numbers, how is this investment shaping the kinds of conferences the island secures, and what measures are in place to track their long-term impact?

Pre-2020, around 70% of our conferences were association meetings. Since then, new hotels have enabled growth in corporate meetings and incentive programmes alongside high-value association conferences that deliver a deeper impact.

Through sector-led bidding, we are securing conferences that align with Lutruwita/Tasmania’s key strengths — including Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, food and agriculture, medical science, marine science, and renewable energy. Our island is globally recognised in these industries, so attracting associations in these sectors creates connections that drive impact and innovation.

Our close-knit community also makes it easy to track where conferences deliver beyond tourism. We are working with our Visionaries to develop case studies that demonstrate the long-term legacy of these events — from research collaborations to partnerships and innovations that emerge when clear minds come together in the right place.
 

Business Events Tasmania’s Visionary Program brings scientific and industry leaders directly into the bidding and programme development process. In what ways has this model enhanced the state's appeal for knowledge-led associations seeking meaningful collaboration with local expertise?

As an island at the bottom of the world, our very nature can create challenges that local sector experts need to overcome. This environment drives innovation and BET’s Visionary Program brings together the Tasmanian pioneers that have persisted in their pursuit of extraordinary outcomes, becoming globally recognised experts in their own right. 

The Visionary Program makes it easy for associations to tap into local knowledge, creating meaningful connections early in the bidding journey. Once connected, associations have a local expert to help craft a meaningful programme for delegates, incorporating sector specific and local knowledge to deepen the delegate experience.

The proximity of our island makes this collaboration seamless, with many key facilities within walking distance of convention hotels and offsite venues. By working with our Visionaries, associations unlock the full potential of their industry in Lutruwita/Tasmania. Delegates gain direct access to fresh perspectives and local expertise, learning from people whose persistence and innovation have enabled them to thrive here.
 

As one of only five global Antarctic gateway cities, Hobart offers access to different stakeholder institutions. How are you working with these partners to create delegate experiences that reflect the scientific depth of the destination, not just as a theme, but as a lived environment?

Lutruwita/Tasmania is home to more than 21 marine reserves and a community of over 900 marine scientists. In Hobart, world-class research facilities and the port of the national icebreaker RSV Nuyina are within walking distance of conference venues, immersing delegates in our active research community.

When delegates are collaborating with researchers making breakthroughs in some of the world’s most challenging environments, perspectives naturally expand. Through our Visionary Program, we connect leaders from the Australian Antarctic Division and the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) directly with organisers, giving them immediate access to a world-class community.

This connection has shaped Hobart conferences with programmes such as dive tours of giant kelp forests and art markets where delegates meet the local art community, trading marine and Antarctic-inspired creations. Our island-ness means that marine and Antarctic science is not just a theme — it is part of the lived environment. We help organisers tap into this environment to create experiences that define a conference and its legacy.
 

"As an island powered by 100% renewable energy and carbon-negative for a decade, Lutruwita/Tasmania is a global leader in sustainability."

With events confirmed across Launceston and Devonport, regional dispersal is clearly a priority. What are the enablers or incentives that help associations consider Lutruwita/Tasmania’s second-tier cities, and how are you ensuring a consistent quality of experience for delegates outside Hobart?

Our compact state makes it easy to combine city and regional experiences, with each city offering distinct opportunities. In Launceston, agriculture delegations can go from conference to farm in minutes — a feat impossible in many destinations. The city’s designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy also allows delegates to experience world-class farm-to-plate dining.

Devonport, in the northwest, has a historic connection to ports, mining, and, more recently, regenerative agriculture research. While smaller in scale, its proximity to King Island — a leader in renewable energy innovation — and Cape Grim, home to some of the cleanest air in the world, makes it a prime location for forward-thinking, sustainable events.

By matching conference size and purpose with each city’s strengths — Hobart up to 1,100 delegates, Launceston 300–500, Devonport up to 200 — we ensure highly targeted, relevant experiences. Across all regions, Lutruwita/Tasmania’s culture of conviction and renowned hospitality guarantees a consistently high-quality experience. Our team acts as a seamless point of coordination between venues, suppliers, and local industry leaders, reflecting the passion Tasmanians bring to every event.
 

Tasmania’s Gordon Dam, completed in 1974 and central to the state’s 100 percent renewable energy credentials - Image Credit Tourism Australia

Lutruwita/Tasmania is often framed as a destination of proximity, where culture, nature, and research sit within minutes of each other. How are you seeing this 'compressed experience' shape delegate expectations, and what kind of feedback are you hearing from associations after hosting events on the island?

Delegates quickly discover that Lutruwita/Tasmania creates the mental space essential for breakthrough thinking. It is a contemplative place that fosters innovation and big-picture problem solving. This culture of conviction, clarity, and connection leads to more productive sessions and lasting conference outcomes.

Breathtaking natural landscapes are just a stone’s throw from our conference cities, and programmes often incorporate them to reinforce the rested, focused mindset that drives impactful thinking. Most delegates stay beyond the formal programme and bring companions to share this experience.

Associations consistently tell us that the willingness of our venues, operators, suppliers, and industry to collaborate and explore creative solutions makes organising and delivering events here a real breath of fresh air. This translates directly to delegate experience, with 90% planning to return within three years — showing the transformative impact of hosting events on our island.
 

With Lutruwita/Tasmania recording net-negative emissions for nine consecutive years and embedding sustainability into your events toolkit, how is BET supporting planners to reduce environmental impact while still delivering world-class experiences?

As an island powered by 100% renewable energy and carbon-negative for a decade, Lutruwita/Tasmania is a global leader in sustainability. Surrounded by pristine natural environments, sustainable thinking is embedded in the way our locals, venues, and suppliers operate. With a goal of 200% renewable energy by 2030, this mindset will only grow.

We embed this into our business through initiatives such as participation in Government-led emissions measurement, reducing waste and maintaining a small fleet of electric vehicles for site inspections and famils. Our venue partners share this commitment: in Hobart, Crowne Plaza Hobart has programmes to manage waste and generates its own electricity, as well as spearheading a recycling initiative lead by SEED, a locally owned social enterprise that promotes employment and diversity; in Launceston, Peppers Silo Hotel sources 90% of its produce locally and composts 90% of its food waste. 

Lutruwita/Tasmania’s compact cities also make it easy for delegates to move on foot, reducing the need for transport. Working closely with planners, we provide the tools and guidance required to deliver world-class events with minimal environmental impact.
 

"Lutruwita/Tasmania is home to more than 21 marine reserves and a community of over 900 marine scientists."

What upcoming conferences or congresses are you particularly excited about, and what do they reflect about where the state is heading as a meetings destination?

As an island with diverse expertise across so many industries, we are constantly welcoming associations seeking a complementary destination. Upcoming highlights include the International Whaling Commission, the World Seabird Conference, and the International Herbage Seed Conference.

These events showcase the international conversations our state is uniquely positioned to host. They align with Lutruwita/Tasmania’s expertise, place, and culture of conviction. They reflect the future of our island as a destination where fresh thinking thrives, and global challenges are addressed through direct engagement with our local industries and perspectives.
 

Access the bidding tool from Business Events Tasmania – Conferences, Corporate & Incentive Events to explore venue options, local partnerships, and tailored proposal support.
 

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