The successful bid for the global event was a combined effort by Business Events Perth, Perth City, and Business Events Australia's Bid Fund Program.
The International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases will return to Perth in 2024, more than 50 years since it was last held in Western Australia capital back in 1971.
The global event is expected to host thousands of delegates — and provide a boost for the travel economy.
Business Events Perth chief executive, Gareth Martin, said Western Australia put forward a competitive bid to the specialty group on neuromuscular diseases for the World Federation of Neurology to secure the congress for 2024.
“As part of the bidding process, Western Australia presented itself as a premium destination to host business events, with a capital city filled with brand-new hotels and venues as well showing its ingenuity by collaborating with the local organising committee and industry to livestream its presentation to the globally-based decision-making committee. This innovation and collaboration meant Western Australia was highly competitive against other global destinations,” Martin said.
The monetary support helping to bring this event back came from Tourism Australia’s specialist unit, Business Events Australia, through its Business Events Bid Fund Program (BFP).
The BFP supports the local business events industry at the critical bidding stage, through marketing and distribution development activities. Funds are accessible only for events confirmed by 30 June 2022, and held by December 2026.
So far, the BFP has helped Australia clinch 40 bids, with a total economic impact of AUD$409 million (US$317 million).
As of April 2021, Business Events Australia received 181 bid applications. More than half (52%) are for association congresses, followed by incentive programmes (45%), and exhibitions (3%). Of these, Western Australia contributed a total of 28 applications.
"Securing these types of events, particularly with the long lead time involved, will ensure that Australia remains front of mind amongst global decision makers and continues to attract high-value business events in the future," said Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison.
And in a further show of industry collaboration, Perth Lord Mayor, Basil Zempilas, was part of Western Australia’s pitch to the global committee to secure the conference.
“Perth is a world-class city, with exceptional infrastructure, public transport, and extraordinary experiences. It is a safe, clean, and sunny city, and we can’t wait to host delegates of the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases in 2024,” Zempilas said.