Adventure & Backpacker Industry Conference – Thursday 5 November – Australian National Maritime Museum
The Adventure & Backpacker Industry Conference (ABiC), which celebrates its 14th year in 2009, is the biggest event in Australia for adventure and backpacker operators. The aim of the program is to provide delegates with practical learning they can apply in their own businesses to boost the bottom line. As well as formal learning during the conference itself, there are networking opportunities at the pre-conference drinks, during the tea/coffee/lunch breaks on the day and at the gala dinner in the evening. This is the opportunity for delegates to share best practice with, and learn from, industry colleagues.
Golden Backpack Awards – Thursday 5 November – Doltone House Darling Island Wharf
The Golden Backpack Awards are the only dedicated awards for the independent travel sector. More than 30 companies are recognized for their outstanding customer service in both state and national categories. The awards are consumer voted following a national campaign in TNT Magazine and online, with the voting process monitored by an independent panel of judges.
This year's Golden Backpack Awards dinner will take place at Doltone House's brand new waterfront venue at Darling Island Wharf, the first 6-star green-star building in New South Wales.
Just a few minutes walk from conference venue the National Maritime Museum, the brand new addition to the Doltone House Group opens in October 2009, meaning guests will be among the first to sample its fantastic hospitality. Doltone House Darling Island Wharf is situated directly across the road from Star City Casino. It is a spectacular waterfront venue on Sydney Harbour foreshore with views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline.
Voting for the Golden Backpack Awards starts on Monday 13 July and will run for 10 weeks.
Independent Travel Exchange – Wednesday 4 November – Sydney venue TBC
The backpacking and adventure travel industry is to have its own business-to-business trade show, with the announcement The Independent Travel Exchange (ITE) will take place in Sydney on Wednesday, November 4.
ITE is designed to provide a forum for Australasian tourism businesses to meet other regional operators in order to canvas new business opportunities and develop new networking contacts. Unlike other events, where businesses need to have international-ready product, ITE also welcomes developing businesses to introduce their product to the major suppliers, retailers and representatives central to the thriving backpacker and adventure travel market.
Once delegates have registered they can create a profile page, upload their logo, company details and product/service information (which will be available to view by all other registered delegates) and, most importantly, request specific appointments with key industry colleagues.
ITE is a welcome addition to a bustling week for the industry that already includes the Adventure + Backpacker Industry Conference, The Golden Backpack Awards and the Adventure + Backpacker Expo.
Tickets are now on sale for the early bird price of $199 for bookings made before 31st August 2009.
To book tickets for any of the above events go to http://abic.thumbrella.com.au/book.html