September 14, 2021 | By Bronwen Largier
Western Australia’s capital will host the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) Congress in 2024, bringing together 500 performing arts leaders and stakeholders in Perth.
The bid was won through a collaboration between Perth Theatre Trust, Business Events Perth and the Department of Local Government, Sports and Culture, Performing Arts Connections Australia (PAC Australia) and WA’s performing arts organisations. The bid also had support from Tourism Australia through its Business Events Bid Fund.
It will be the first time the event has been held in Perth.
“Bringing together national and international collaborators and buyers of work in 2024, in beautiful Perth, is something for the Australian performing arts sector to look forward to, particularly at this moment in time,” said PAC Australia’s Executive Director Katherine Connor.
“This is another great win for Perth and illustrates Australia’s strength as a world-class international business events destination,” said Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison.
“Securing large international congresses such as the ISPA Congress 2024 means we are looking forward towards recovery by ensuring we have a calendar of international events for when our borders re-open, whilst also continuing to stay front of mind among global decision makers.”
In the last financial year, Business Events Perth secured 67 national and international business events for WA to 2024, contributing $54 million to the state’s economy.
State government funding also allowed BE Perth to support 190 local business events with more than 82,000 delegates as the pandemic kept international – and often state – borders closed to visitors.