Tourism Tasmania CEO Sarah Kingston Clark said business events play a vital role in bringing visitors and dollars to the state, with new figures showing that in 2025 Business Events Tasmania brought a record 25,000 people to the State, up 20 per cent on 2024.

 

“More than 90 per cent of business event delegates travel from interstate or overseas”, said Ms Kingston Clark, “with business events contributing nearly $200 million into our state’s economy and supporting around 1,000 jobs.”

“That activity underpins hotels, venues, restaurants, transport operators and local suppliers right across Tasmania, especially over winter and in quieter times of the year,” said Ms Kingston Clark.

“Business events in winter and shoulder seasons also help support year-round air access, creating sustainable flight routes and securing bookings well ahead of the cooler months”.  

“It’s exciting that the momentum we’re seeing for Tasmania as a holiday destination is now extending to business events.  More and more businesses are choosing our island to host their conferences and events, attracted by the locations and unique experiences only Tasmania can offer.”

 

Business Events Tasmania CEO Marnie Craig said while 2025 was a record year, 2026 is looking even stronger.

 

“In 2025, we secured 106 events and welcomed 25,000 delegates to Tasmania, up from 21,000 the year before,” Ms Craig said.

“As of January 2026, we have already booked more than 25,000 delegates for this year, with a further 7,000 pending. At the same time last year we had 19,000 delegates booked, so we are currently around 30 per cent ahead this year.

“There’s every chance that we could see more than 30,000 people visit Tasmania through business events, which will raise the bar again.

“Importantly, a lot of the growth we are seeing is in regional areas.  In 2025 we secured 2,600 delegates for regional events and so far this year we have already confirmed 3,800 delegates for regional events.”

“Business events open Tasmania up to the world, creating vital connections across innovation, advanced manufacturing, health, renewable energy and the creative industries.”

 

Ms Craig said BET is planning to grow the sector even further through the Visionary Program, which brings together leading Tasmanians to help attract high value conferences aligned to the state’s strengths.

 

“The Visionary Program connects influential Tasmanians in sectors such as research, health, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, education and the blue economy and gives them the tools they need to bring more events to Tasmania,” she said.

“These leaders already operate in national and international networks where decisions are made about where conferences and forums are held. As Visionaries, they act as trusted ambassadors, identifying opportunities, opening doors and advocating for Tasmania as the best place to bring people together.

“Through the Visionary Program, we are hoping to boost the value of business events from $200 million per year to around $600 million per year.”