BEV general manager Chris Porter said that in 2025 BEV secured 144 business event leads that booked in regional Victoria, delivering an estimated $11 million in economic impact for regional communities – a reflection of growing confidence in regional Victoria as a business events destination.
The regional showcase later this month is a dedicated business-to-business networking and sourcing event connecting corporate and association event planners with representatives from across Victoria’s regions.
The 2026 event also marks two major milestones – 30 years of BEV championing regional Victoria’s business events sector and 10 years of the showcase bringing the state’s regional industry together under one roof.
Fifty-five exhibitors from around Victoria are expected to take part in this year’s showcase, offering meeting planners an opportunity to discover new destinations, build supplier relationships and source ideas for conferences, meetings, team retreats and incentive programs beyond Melbourne.
Porter said the event played an important role in driving business events into regional communities.
“Regional Victoria offers planners a compelling combination of accessibility, distinctive venues and high-quality delegate experiences at a time when many organisations are under pressure to deliver more commercially effective events.
“Regional suppliers are responding to changing market conditions with creative, commercially focused solutions that help organisations deliver meaningful events while maximising value and delegate impact,” he said.
BEV has more than 100 members and focuses on attracting national conferences and business events aligned with regional Victoria’s key industry sectors.
“We are seeing increasing demand from planners looking for destinations that offer strong infrastructure, authentic experiences and greater delegate engagement beyond capital cities,” Porter said.
“The showcase helps drive that momentum by increasing awareness of regional Victoria’s depth, diversity and capability as a business events destination.”
Registration to attend the showcase are now open for business event planners, meeting buyers and organisers.
Register for the Regional Victoria Showcase here.
