BECA survey reveals industry confidence levels for 2021

By Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia, 12 October, 2020

In light of the $50 million commitment to the business events industry by the federal government, the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) conducted a short survey of Australian business event owners and organisers to better understand barriers and confirm levels of confidence across 2021.

Attracting 149 responses, the survey found that the number one barrier being faced by both owners and organisers in 2021 is uncertainty regarding future outbreaks and the corresponding tightening of travel and gathering restrictions. This was closely followed by financial risk which is translating into boards and decision makers being hesitant to commit to holding an in-person business event.

Other findings highlighted that a majority of business events have already cancelled, postponed or moved to 100% virtual events for the first quarter of 2021 – 62% by organisers and 30% by owners. A theme that unfortunately continues into the second quarter.

Of the domestic multi-day business events still tentatively scheduled for 2021, the confidence that they will continue in-person can be viewed in this table:

Business Event Organisers
42% of business events likely to postpone or cancel 39% of business events
likely to postpone or under consideration		 40% of business events likely to be hybrid 49% of business events likely to be 100% in-person
Business Event Owners/Hosts
41% of business events likely to be 100% virtual or likely to postpone 30% of business events likely to postpone or under consideration 49% of business events likely to be hybrid 43% of business events likely to be hybrid

Source: Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia