The meetings industry in Western Australia has bounced back from the crises of September 11, 2001, according to the Perth Convention Bureau.

The Bureau reports that since the start of the 2002-2003 financial year, registrations at conventions have been exceeding attendance estimates.

Attendances at conferences in July exceeded anticipated registrations by two per cent, in August by 8.5 per cent, in September by two per cent and in October by nine per cent.

“This is very encouraging and shows that we have turned the corner since the twin crises of the terrorist attacks on America and the demise of Ansett,” says the Bureau’s Managing Director, Anne-Maree Ferguson.

Following the crises, the delegate wash at conventions peaked at 33 per cent. Overall, delegate materialisation at conferences in 2001-2002 was down an average 25 per cent on estimated attendances.

In the period July to October this year, WA has enjoyed one of its busiest ever periods for convention business with 25,110 delegates attending conferences compared with 9,200 delegates for the same period in 2001.

Ms Ferguson said: “For the most part, this business was secured several years ago. Because of the gap between securing a conference and it actually being held, the meetings sector provides insurance for destinations when times get tough.”

On the sales front, the Bureau enjoyed a successful first quarter to the new financial year, securing six international and 16 national conferences and 77 corporate meetings and incentives. Collectively, this business represents more than 12,400 delegates and $27.3 million in direct delegate expenditure.

Sales since the end of September have added a further 2,380 delegates and nearly $5 million in direct expenditure.