New data from national C&E business Discovery Conferences and Events shows the recovery of Australia’s events industry is gathering pace, led by strong forward bookings for weddings and a return of large corporate and multi-day events.
Discovery Conferences and Events, a dedicated national events business that was launched earlier this year by Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider, the G’day Group, has seen a strong uplift in demand across its portfolio.
Forecasts for the year ahead show wedding bookings up 48% on the 2021-22 financial year and larger corporate events up by around 40%. With its event venues offering co-located accommodation, Discovery Conferences and Events has also seen a 40% uplift in room nights booked as part of corporate events as businesses increase their focus on multi-day gatherings to help their staff reconnect and rebuild team culture.
Discovery Conferences and Events General Manager Victoria Fox said that the increased demand for weddings and large corporate events demonstrated that confidence is returning to the C&E sector.
“While we saw the green shoots of an event industry recovery begin to emerge during the past financial year, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 meant there was a hesitancy among our customers to book big corporate events and weddings,” she said.
“However, our pipeline of bookings is showing that confidence is returning with huge demand in particular for wedding bookings after so many people had their big day postponed over the past two years.”
“With businesses looking to rebuild team culture, we’re also seeing great interest in event getaways to unique regional destinations right around the country.”
Launched in April 2022, the Discovery Conferences and Events brand brings together unique regional event offerings at a range of properties owned by the G’day Group, including Discovery Kings Canyon, Glen Helen and Rottnest Island, as well as the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre at Discovery Hahndorf Resort, the Victor Harbor Convention Centre at McCracken Country Club and Nagambie Lakes Function Centre in Victoria.
The company recently launched a dedicated website to provide a more seamless and connected customer experience. Visit: www.discoveryconferencesandevents.com.au
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