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The collaboration of 26 partners across Australia and globally has won the prestigious IAPCO Driving Excellence Award for Collaboration for delivering ‘The Turn of Events; Bringing Business Events Back.’

Primary partner and supporter of the event, CEO Gareth Martin from Business Events Perth, said he welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with national partners that brought people together across borders.

Announced at IBTM World Virtual, the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) award recognises “solid and dependable partnerships” that are behind successful events. Arinex CEO, Nicole Walker accepted the award on December 10, 2020.

After six months of little to no business, The Turn of Events; Bringing Business Events Back was delivered at a critical time to showcase COVIDSafe readiness and virtual technology.  The collaboration provided a hands-on learning experience for clients and event planners to attend the first hub and spoke industry event across 6 cities in Australia and live streamed globally.  This pioneer event supported by peak industry body, BECA (Business Events Council of Australia), and AIM Group International, paved the way for other associations to follow suit.

Survey responses post event confirmed the ‘The Turn of Events’ kickstarted events in Australia. Attending a physical event reignited the passion to 500 business event planners and Associations in Australia and globally.

Bronwyn Green, President of the Association of Teachers of the Deaf, welcomed the opportunity to learn about virtual events, remarking, “It is a different and exciting challenge to come up with new ways to connect our audience. I now realise there is a great deal to be gained by opening our event to greater audience participation and delivering new goals for our Association.”

“We were overwhelmed by the support of a crippling sector to not only assist and back the event, but each made significant financial contribution during the most difficult of times for the benefit of the whole sector. We have been privileged to be part of this group,” said Nicole.

“This award is timely given its international prominence to align with the global Tourism Australia campaigns which highlight Australia’s strength in safety, sustainability, wide open landscapes, extraordinary adventures and the ability to work together.”

The Turn of Events; Bringing Business Events Back was a face to face and virtual event held simultaneously in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and live streamed globally on 16 September 2020.