The pair have already completed nearly 100 interviews and concede it is impossible to reach everyone. So they are issuing an open invitation for any other contributions from industry to be considered for inclusion in the book.
The book will cover seven decades of business events in Australia, looking at the industry from the 1960s, when conferences, exhibitions and incentives were just starting to emerge, and will chart the progression of the industry to the present day.
The pair began work on the book in February this year after they realised parts of the industry’s history were being lost to the passage of time. Alongside more recent contributions, the book will capture perspectives and observations from the pioneers of the industry who have started to retire.
Rich has more than 40 years of experience in the business events industry and was chief executive of the Business Events Council of Australia from its formation in 1994 until August 2011. She also headed up the Meetings Industry Association of Australia – now Meetings and Events Australia – for a decade.
She co-authored several submissions to government on the business events industry, including the pivotal National Business Events Strategy 2008.
Rich was also a key player in the introduction of the term “business events” that has been widely adopted across Australia and around the world.
Jago is an academic who has worked across Australia and globally, specialising in assessing the economic impact and legacy of business events.
He has headed up research efforts for the industry in both Australia and the UK over the past three decades and produced one of the first research pieces to quantify the economic value of the industry in Australia. Since then, his research has also highlighted the broader value of business events. On a global scale, he has completed work for the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC).
Jago was the inaugural chief economist and general manager of Tourism Research Australia and received an OAM in 2016 for his contributions to tourism and education.
Those wishing to submit a contribution for the book can email either Rich or Jago with observations about key developments in the history of business events in Australia. Submissions should be received by the end of September to be considered for inclusion.
The book will bring together statistics, facts and anecdotes which chart the pivotal moments and overall history of business events in Australia from its early beginnings to the maturing industry of today.
The authors are hoping to publish the book in 2025.
