Business Events Perth has announced its latest sustainability initiatives at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2024, held in Melbourne from February 23 to 25.

The bureau, funded by the West Australian government and a network of about 130 member partners, has brought 22 of them to AIME, its biggest-ever presence at the event.

“We’re thrilled to be here, and it’s fantastic to see AIME growing as it has in the last few years,” said Business Events Perth Gareth Martin. “We want to share with you some of our proactive activities, especially the first time we’re going public to market about what we’ve been doing in the last year. We want to have some concrete actions we’re undertaking as a bureau and demonstrate those activities.”

One of the main focuses of the bureau is environmental sustainability, which aligns with the global trend of responsible tourism and events. The bureau has partnered with the Forests for Life project, one of the 15 founding projects of the Nature Needs Half movement, which aims to reconnect people with nature and protect 50% of the planet by 2050.

The Forests for Life project is the only one of its kind in Australia, and it covers a vast area of about 1000 kilometres across the southwest of WA, from Margaret River to Esperance. The project’s vision is to reconnect forests, restore habitat health, and support First Nations rights, such as employment, education, land ownership, and cultural preservation.

“For every delegate that comes to WA, we’re adding a donation to the Forests for Life project as part of our bid support. From our perspective, that is an addition to the support we offer to business events that come to us in Australia. So far, that’s over $30,000 that we’ve donated last year. We started this program in January 2023, and since then, we’ve contributed over $150,000 towards activities that go towards that region. That means essentially the planting and care for native trees and plants across the southwest of WA,” Martin said.

He added that the bureau is also working on an exciting new project to create permanent meeting places on land that has been transferred to Aboriginal ownership as part of the Forests for Life project. “In Aboriginal culture, a meeting place is one of the most important aspects of community and connection. We’re looking at an opportunity to create meeting places that can be used for events, education, and cultural exchange,” he said.

Another initiative the bureau supports is Shortcut by the Sidewalks, a social enterprise that provides free haircuts and conversations to homeless and disadvantaged people. The bureau has been working with the organisation in Perth and brought them to AIME to offer their services to the delegates and exhibitors.

“Shortcut by the sidewalks is not just about the haircuts; it’s an opportunity to connect with people in the chair and offer them a moment of dignity and respect. We’ve been working with them in Perth, and we’re delighted to bring them to AIME and share their story and mission with the industry,” Martin said.

The bureau is also proud of its FIRE program, which stands for Fostering Innovation through Research and Education. The program has been running for over 25 years and has helped the commercial development of hundreds of academics and researchers in WA. The program has 11 partners from academic and research institutions, such as universities, hospitals, and innovation hubs.

“The FIRE program is a unique way of showcasing the cutting-edge research and innovation happening in WA and connecting it with the business events sector. We have some amazing examples of how our FIRE partners have contributed to the global knowledge and solutions in health, agriculture, mining, energy, and technology,” Martin said.

He invited the AIME attendees to visit the Business Events WA stand and learn more about the bureau’s sustainability initiatives and the diverse and exciting destinations WA offers.

“WA is a state of endless possibilities, and we have something for everyone, from the cosmopolitan city of Perth to the stunning natural wonders of the Kimberley, the Ningaloo Reef, and the Rottnest Island. We have world-class venues, accommodations, and experiences that can cater to any event, from small meetings to large conventions. We look forward to welcoming you to WA and showing you why it’s the best place to host your next business event,” he concluded.