Adelaide’s business events sector is set for a fresh lift with the Malinauskas Government committing another ten million dollars to help attract major conferences and meetings. The move comes as the city positions itself more firmly on the national and global stage, aided by growing demand and the attention generated by its recent COP31 candidacy.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the value of these events is immediate, noting that “business events deliver incredible value to our tourism and hospitality sector and Adelaide is now well and truly on the national and international stage to host these events.” He added that the Government intends to keep building the momentum already achieved, saying, “as a government, we are determined to harness this momentum and translate it into even more events for our state.”
The return on spending by delegates has strengthened the case for further investment. Research from the University of Adelaide’s South Australian Centre for Economic Studies shows interstate and overseas delegates spend an average of 1,165 dollars per day while in the city. Malinauskas pointed out that this supports businesses across the CBD, saying, “business delegates spend their money in our hotels, restaurants and bars, delivering an immediate benefit.”
South Australia’s pipeline of prospective business events has more than doubled compared with this time last year and is valued at around 3.1 billion dollars across the next five years. The new ten million dollar allocation comes on top of the ten million dollars already included in the 2025 to 26 State Budget, taking the total bid fund to thirty eight million dollars.
The Premier says now is the moment to press forward. “Our state has built incredible momentum and now is the time to push even harder and secure the next wave of events that will deliver benefits for years to come.”
Business Events Adelaide already has more than ten events locked in between August and December next year. Worth twenty five million dollars collectively, these gatherings will bring about five thousand delegates to the city and generate around sixteen thousand hotel bed nights. A further twenty events are being actively pursued following the COP decision.
Business Events Adelaide Chair Ian Horne welcomed the added support, calling it recognition of the sector’s value. “We welcome the increased support for business event in South Australia as important recognition of the importance of Business Events such as conferences, seminars, exhibitions and conventions to the South Australian economy.” He said bid funding remains central to competing on the world stage, adding, “bid funding is crucial to the State’s competitive capacity to compete globally in attracting and enticing business events to South Australia.”
Horne said the economic case remains strong. “The State’s economy can expect a return on that investment of 38:1 and allows the State to continue to punch well above its weight.”
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