Marked by big ticket wins, the estimated value of the 149 events secured is double the previous record, which was set the year prior.
“It’s been another year of remarkable achievement for our team, delivering an outstanding result on behalf of South Australia,” said Business Events Adelaide’s chair Ian Horne.
“These events are not just about visitor numbers or hotel occupancy – important though they are. They are about bringing the right people to Adelaide.
“High-calibre business events translate directly into jobs, economic benefit and long-term collaboration.”
Adelaide’s bureau has been flagging the 2024-2025 financial year as a record breaker for some time.
In January it announced that it had secured $540 million worth of events in the first six months of the year alone, much helped by winning the Asia-Pacific International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) which will be held in Adelaide from 2025 through to 2033 and has an estimated economic impact of $240 million.
The 149 events won over the last year are forecast to attract 102,245 delegates and generate 348,984 hotel room nights.
Horne said that business events make an average contribution of nearly $2 million a day to South Australia’s economy, justifying the $10.9 million over four years that the state government committed to the bureau’s work in the last budget.
“Each business event delegate spends $1,165 every day they are in Adelaide. This figure – verified by the SA Centre for Economic Studies – reflects Adelaide’s evolution,” said Horne.
“Our city now competes confidently on the world stage, offering an outstanding mix of value, quality and impact.”
Off the back of the record year, Adelaide is still in the running to host the United Nations climate change conference COP31 next year, which would bring tens of thousands of international delegates, including government leaders and officials, to Adelaide in 2026.
“Being selected as a COP host city would redefine how the world sees Adelaide, delivering long-term benefits across our economy, global reputation and sustainability leadership,” said Business Events Adelaide CEO Damien Kitto.
“The nomination alone has elevated interest in South Australia and Business Events Adelaide stands ready to seize every opportunity that flows from it.”
