A rush of bid wins in the past two months has seen the Perth Convention Bureau (PCB) secure 10 conferences that are expected to deliver an estimated 10,960 delegates and a $26.42 million delegate spending bonanza for the State.

By far the biggest boost to the Bureau’s annual sales results has come with the successful bid to host the Annual General Meeting of the national Ulysses Motorcycle Club in the regional centre of Albany in 2010.

The AGM is expected to attract 4,600 recreational motorcyclists who will spend around $14 million during their visit to WA. This is the biggest event ever secured by the Bureau in its 36 year history.

In another big win, an estimated 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the Lions National Conference in 2012 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Lions Western Australia, injecting nearly $6 million into the economy.

A spin off from World Youth Day in Sydney in July will see Perth stage a Liturgy and Leadership Meeting for an estimated 1,500 delegates prior to the global gathering which is to be attended by the Pope. This is expected to generate a $3.27 million delegate spend.

Another significant win is the annual scientific meeting of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand which is expected to attract 700 delegates to Perth in 2010 and inject more than $1.65 million into the economy.

Among the other bid successes, the Bureau has secured the national Annual General Meeting and rally of the Mercedes-Benz Car Club, also scheduled for 2010. The 200 delegates will spend an estimated $250,000.

Also secured for 2010 is the prestigious five-day bi-ennial conference of the International Harbour Masters Association. This event is expected to attract 150 delegates and deliver a delegate spend of nearly $340,000.

Secured for next year is the Australian Fodder Industry Association National Conference, drawing 300 delegates and generating $483,061 in direct delegate expenditure. 

The three other wins are national conference scheduled for later this year – the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (250 delegates, $232,829 delegate spend) in June; the International Quality and Productivity Centre (90, $180,093) in July; and the Federation of Police and Citizens Youth Clubs (170, $199,066) in November.

PCB Managing Director Ross MacCulloch said the flurry of bid wins had provided a welcome boost to the annual sales results. “I’m confident that we will achieve our sales target of $61 million worth of conference and incentive business secured,” he said.

“I’m sure this news will also be welcomed by our industry partners.”

Perth’s International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rating has skyrocketed over the past year. In 2006, Perth was ranked 74th in the world as an association meeting destination and recent results have seen our position rise significantly to number 56.