At the launch of The Catalyst Program in Hobart (from left) Michael Round, Hadley's Hotel Hobart Grand Mercure; Christie Sweeting, Business Events Tasmania; and Andrew Stack, Moorilla

Tasmania has launched a programme designed to encourage locals to help attract business events to the state. 'We are asking those Tasmanians that know of a conference, corporate meeting, incentive, seminar or exhibition, currently held elsewhere, to initiate that event to be hosted in Tasmania,' says Business Events Tasmania chief executive officer Stuart Nettlefold. The catalyst program was launched by Tasmania's Minister for Tourism, Michelle O'Byrne at Hobart Function and Conference Centre on July 19. The programme has its own patron, journalist Charles Wooley, and will also have industry leaders in fields that Tasmania excels in as ambassadors. Nettlefold says ambassadors have been approached to represent the State in agriculture, aquaculture, the Antarctic sector, arts and culture, finance and economics, innovation, maritime, medical research, tourism and events, forestry, sport and recreation, and education.

'In the 2009/10 financial year Business Events Tasmania won 106 bids for business events, valued at over $31 million. This is up 56% on the year before and we intend to win even more business in 2010/11 - particularly with the help of our local champions.'

TRAVELinc's August issue will include a Tasmanian supplement covering incentives, corporate retreats and high end leisure products in the State. Sister magazine Meeting Newz will run a preview in November of the Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Association's early December conference in Hobart.