Corporate Travellers, Big Spenders: How Business Events Adelaide is Cementing Adelaide as a Top Destination for Corporate Visitors

The city is gaining international acclaim as a premier destination for business events, driven by the efforts of an Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) Strategic Partner dedicated to positioning the city as a must-visit hub for corporate travellers.

Business Events Adelaide was awarded $948,000 over three years as part of AEDA’s Strategic Partnerships Program, designed to support job creation, innovation and business activity across the city.

Through the funding, Business Events Adelaide plans to attract more national and international business events that have the potential to inject at least $300 million into the local economy.

Business Events Adelaide CEO Damien Kitto says showcasing the city as a top destination for corporate events drives growth, innovation and global recognition of Adelaide.

“The strategic partnership with AEDA helps Business Events Adelaide position the city as a leading destination to host national and international business events including conventions, conferences, exhibitions, tradeshows and corporate incentives,” Mr Kitto says.

“Business events are an economic driver, aiding growth in the State and providing financially profitable opportunities for our members, including city-based hotels, venues and service providers.”

According to the latest AEDA Visitor Economy Report, business events injected approximately $80.4 million into the city economy in the second quarter of 2025.

It was 43 per cent higher than in the same period last year and 52 per cent higher than in the first quarter of 2025.

In September 2025, Infinitus—a global leader in marketing traditional Chinese wellness products—brought more than 1,200 delegates to Adelaide as part of its corporate incentives program.

It was the first delegation of its size to Adelaide since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Infinitus visit wrapped up with a collective Culture and Wellness Market where Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga was transformed into a harmonious Tai Chi studio, among other exciting activations.

Business Events Adelaide played an essential role in attracting Infinitus, providing business development services and support in the lead-up to the event.

“Strategically aligned business events have a dual-pronged benefit to the economy,” Mr Kitto says.

“High yield delegates spend more than $1,165 per day on accommodation, food, services and experiences during their trips to city venues.

“They also bring the right people to Adelaide—individuals, often from overseas, who spark innovation, form partnerships and invest in our key sectors.

“The trade, knowledge exchange and development opportunities presented by business events deliver an economic tail of multiplying benefits, significantly extending their value beyond the direct spend.”

In 2024/25 alone,149 business events valued at $684m chose Adelaide as the best place to host their offering.

Funding provided through the Strategic Partnerships Program is key to helping Business Events Adelaide promote the city to the world.

This most recent round of funding will help it submit more than 150 bids annually, host site visits and familiarisations (famils), promote Adelaide at tradeshows, and host events such as Connect Adelaide and Destination SA.

Through this, it plans to attract more than 53,000 delegates to the city and create 3,200 extra jobs in South Australia.

Mr Kitto says the organisation’s highly regarded business events create a buzz around Adelaide’s business community.

“Every year, Business Events Adelaide hosts Destination SA, South Australia’s premier business events showcase," he says.

“Held in March, 40 business event organisers and influencers from around the country are hosted for three days, meeting members for productive networking and deal-making opportunities.

“The 2025 event has been linked to almost $20 million in confirmed business event sales, underlining its critical role in Adelaide’s business events calendar.”

Discover more information on AEDA's Strategic Partnerships Program.