The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) congratulates and welcomes new Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell.

Minister Farrell proactively maintained close engagement with the business events industry via BECA while in opposition and is acutely aware of the devastation that COVID-19 restrictions placed on both international and domestic markets and the businesses that support the sector.

BECA Chair, Dr Leo Jago OAM, said, “We congratulate Don Farrell on being sworn in as Minister for Trade and Tourism today. This is an incredibly important position within Cabinet that can directly support the short-term recovery of the visitor economy and drive long-term growth.

“Through continued alignment with the trade portfolio, there is significant opportunity for Minister Farrell to leverage business events for their strategic role in attracting trade and investment, and to draw upon their potential to support knowledge creation, foster innovation, and boost productivity.

“We thank Minister Farrell for his interest in business events from opposition – in particular, scrutinising the Business Events Grant Program implemented by the Morrison Government – and look forward to a close and collaborative relationship under the new Albanese Government.”

Prior to the federal election, Minister Farrell committed to recognising the importance of the business events industry through improvements in data capture and analysis, and the continuation of the successful Business Events Bid Fund.