Adelaide bids to host major Japan trade conference

South Australia has bid to bring the Australia-Japan Business Co-Operation Committee (AJBCC) Joint Conference to Adelaide.

The bid to host the next joint conference in Adelaide follows a meeting between Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion and the Japan-Australia Business Co-Operation committee chair Michiaki Hirose during a recent trade mission to Japan.

Should Adelaide secure the rights to the AJBCC Joint Conference it would be the first time since 1990 the conference has been held in South Australia.

Adelaide had previously secured the rights to host the 2020 Conference, with the event unable to proceed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and closure of international borders.

The 59th joint conference, attended in Tokyo by SA Premier Peter Malinauskas on his first overseas mission, provided a unique opportunity to promote South Australia’s credentials as a clean energy superpower, leading the challenge of decarbonisation.

The Malinauskas Government will also be sending a strong contingent to the AJBCC’s Diamond Anniversary, being held in Melbourne later this year.

“The opportunity to host the next Australian Joint Conference would provide South Australia with enormous exposure to some of the world’s largest companies,” said Champion.

“Adelaide would be the perfect host, not just for the investment opportunities available, but for Japan’s business leaders to experience our world-class venues, hotels and incredible food and wine.

“Hosting this conference presents an incredible opportunity to promote and build on our green energy sector, and our state’s innovation precincts to one of our closest trading partners.

“We are uniquely placed to showcase our green credentials in the decarbonisation, hydrogen and renewable energy sectors and assist Japan with their own emissions reduction target.”

The bid follows last month’s Destination SA return to full strength, with 40 national and international event organisers experiencing how Adelaide has evolved as a business events destination.

“It was exciting to showcase exactly how much Adelaide and South Australia had developed and evolved over the last three years,” said Business Events Adelaide CEO Damien Kitto.

“For the first time, we introduced visits to Adelaide innovation districts such as Tonsley and Lot 14 to our key decision makers program during Destination SA, and they were a definite hit.

“We know that event organisers are well aware that delegates want to return to their organisations with a value add from their time spent at a business event, just as we seek an economic advantage.”