Business Events Adelaide has celebrated another strong financial year which saw 197 future business events secured, forecast to attract more than 105,000 delegates and create over 6,800 jobs in South Australia.
The combined total of these business events is estimated to deliver a $602 million benefit for the state, which was detailed in the organisation’s 2025/2026 Annual Report and announced at its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 28 October.
Business Events Adelaide credited the past financial year’s success to a targeted approach that sought to attract business events with long-term impact in priority sectors – such as health and life sciences, defence, space, AgTech and advanced manufacturing – as well as mid-size business events (up to one thousand delegates) that complemented Adelaide’s tier-two destination strengths.
The result is an economic tail of partnerships, research, investment and reputation, which Business Events Adelaide explains is just as instrumental as the immediate impact of delegate spending, which injects almost $2 million per day into the state economy.
Business Events Adelaide Chair Ian Horne said, “The organisation is in a strong financial position, which lets us deliver for members and invest in priorities like the International Strategy.”
Business Events Adelaide CEO Damien Kitto added, “Having spent recent years consolidating our domestic position, we are now investing in a genuine presence in key overseas markets, building relationships rather than relying on periodic visits and creating a dedicated role here in Adelaide to oversee our highest-priority international bids.”
The 2025/2026 figures reported by the organisation paint a picture of resilience, flexibility and forward thinking amongst the state’s business event services, venues and providers, and Mr Horne acknowledged the significance of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet’s additional $10 million contribution to bid funding.
“The measure of an organisation lies in its ambition and its resolve. That is why I am confident in where we stand, and excited about what lies ahead,” said Mr Horne.
Now looking ahead to a business event schedule that shows no signs of slowing down, Business Events Adelaide is confident that these results signal the beginning of a wave of momentum, one that will bring a wealth of opportunities to showcase the very best of the state to interstate and international delegates alike.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, Business Events Adelaide was supported by seven Strategic Partners – Adelaide Airport, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Oval, Arinex, Hilton Hotel, SkyCity Adelaide and The Conference Company – and backed by funding from the State Government, City of Adelaide and annual membership fees.
At the Annual General Meeting, Avril Baynes, Managing Director at SkyCity Adelaide, was elected to the board unopposed as the Strategic Partner representative.
