ATE brings back the ‘Expertise’

ATE brings back the ‘Expertise’

Expertise Events has won the tender to manage the annual Australian Tourism Exchange for a further three years.

The event is Australia’s largest travel and tourism business-to-business event, and it was way back in 1991 that Expertise Events first provided onsite management services to the then Australian Tourism Commission and their ATE event.

“Back then it was much smaller and our task was to move ATE for the first time, out of Sydney to Melbourne at the old Convention Centre, which held the event over multiple floors,” Expertise Events’ md Gary Fitz-Roy said.

“Every three years the event has been put out to tender and this has ensured we continue to strive for excellence in service and delivery.”

“It’s been an amazing journey to see a truly home grown Australian exhibition evolve and develop to become one of the most significant events on the calendar for both the exhibition industry and particularly the Tourism sector.”

The Australian Tourism Exchange is owned by Tourism Australia and moves around the country each year giving an opportunity for the host state to showcase their offering.

In a major change from its traditional formula, in 2014 the event was staged in Cairns, where Expertise worked with Tourism Australia, Tourism Queensland, Cairns Convention Centre, local authorities and service providers to build a temporary facility to accommodate the 500-plus exhibitors, which required incorporating a whole new format in stand design.

Post show research undertaken by Tourism Australia revealed one of the highest satisfaction ratings from Exhibitors and Buyers ever received and Cairns has been seen to give the event a whole new injection of vitality.

“One of the most exciting aspects has been moving the event and tailoring it to each location,” Fitz-Roy added.

“You can’t take anything for granted and it’s the Tourism Australia team that make it such a pleasurable experience to work on. I must admit after having the event for so long and with so many companies vying to win the management rights, we really do feel the pressure every time there is a tender and never rest on our laurels.”

Tourism Australia’s gm for Western markets and global distribution development Katherine Droga said they were delighted to reappoint Expertise Events.

“They have demonstrated a commitment to work with us and evolve the event to meet the industry’s needs and have forged relationships with major sponsors and supporters of the event,” she said.

This year will see the event return to Melbourne, then on to a new regional city in 2016.

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