Conferences the key to a new stadium design at Mac Point, Marnie Craig says

If a stadium on Hobart’s waterfront was “done the right way” it would unlock a potential $1billion boom for Tasmania, a local business boss says. HER VIEW >

Marnie Craig is the CEO of Business Events Tasmania. Picture: Linda Higginson

If a stadium on Hobart’s waterfront was “done the right way” it would unlock a potential $1b events boom for Tasmania.

That’s the view of Marnie Craig, CEO of Business Events Tasmania, who is urging the state government to include conferencing space into the design for the new multipurpose stadium on Hobart’s waterfront.

The AFL has said a new stadium, costing an estimated $750m, was a prerequisite for Tasmania’s push to get the 19th AFL franchise.

It’s the part of the AFL-team deal that has caused most angst in the community with many saying the state can’t afford the impost.

FIRST LOOK: New designs of what Hobart's new AFL stadium at Macquarie Point could look like. Images supplied by AFL

But Ms Craig says that if the multipurpose stadium included a conferencing facility for events with more than 1200 people, it would unlock a massive potential market for the state.

“Hobart can currently host conferences of up to about 1100 people,” Ms Craig said.

For any conference over that number organisers have to turn businesses and associations away.

“ This is a part of the market we don’t have venues for,” Ms Craig said.

“There are 377 conferences we have qualified that would come to Hobart that currently exceed our capacity but are under 2500 delegates.

“That’s what we see as the niche size for Hobart.”

Marnie Craig is the CEO of Business Events Tasmania. Marnie says a stadium if done right could be a huge benefit to Hobart to lure more events. Picture: Linda Higginson

“To give you some perspective, that’s 520,000 delegates that could visit Tasmania.”

Ms Craig said the majority of those delegates would be domestic with the big win for the state being they would visit during the traditional low season between May and September when most conferences are held.

The other bonus is the conferences are mostly held midweek.

“They are coming during our lowest point in hospitality and the direct spend from those conferences is $1.3b,” Ms Craig said.

She said business events were an important part of the visitor economy.

“25 per cent of those attending conferences bring families and friends too,” Ms Craig said.

“They actually stay on and travel around the state.

“It’s a really powerful and important piece to the economy.”

The issue for Hobart is it’s currently in competition with other capital cities but also regional areas like Geelong, the Gold Coast and Cairns.

“That’s why we are working with the state government around the opportunity to include conferencing,” Ms Craig said.