Western Australia is set to star centre stage when the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) Congress rolls out the red carpet in Perth in 2024.

Perth Theatre Trust, Business Events Perth and the Department of Local Government, Sports and Culture, alongside WA’s key performing arts organisations worked collaboratively with PAC Australia to confirm ISPA 2024 for Perth, recognising the importance of the creative economy in a lively and growing city.

“Bringing together national and international collaborators and buyers of work in 2024, in beautiful Perth, is something for the Australian performing arts sector to look forward to, particularly at this moment in time,”  PAC Australia Executive Director Katherine Connor said.

WA Minister for Tourism David Templeman said the State Government was thrilled the conference would be returning to Australia and specifically Perth.

“This is a great convention, an important convention for leaders in the performing arts from across the world,” Minister Templeman said. 

"We look forward to welcoming delegates to Perth in 2024, and I’m sure the attendees will enjoy connecting under an ancient sky and exploring this wonderful city and Western Australia.

“Business events are an important part of the Western Australian economy, bringing high yielding visitors to the State, which is why the McGowan Government funds organisations like Business Events Perth, through Tourism WA, to bid and secure major conferences and exhibitions for our thriving State.”

Business Events Perth chief executive Gareth Martin said that Western Australia’s vibrant arts sector and connectivity with Asia and Europe made it the perfect destination for the ISPA Congress.

“The ISPA Congress is set to bring over 500 delegates to Western Australia in 2024, where they will be delighted by Perth’s thriving arts industry, rich culture and heritage, and our vibrant city,” Mr Martin said.

Tourism Australia supported the bid to bring the event to Perth, Australia through the Business Events Bid Fund Program.

“This is another great win for Perth and illustrates Australia’s strength as a world-class international business events destination,” Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said.

“Securing large international congresses such as the ISPA Congress 2024 means we are looking forward towards recovery by ensuring we have a calendar of international events for when our borders re-open, whilst also continuing to stay front of mind among global decision makers.”

2024 will be the first time the ISPA Congress takes place in Perth, having previously been held in Melbourne in 2016 and Sydney in 2001, as well as international destinations such as New York and Guadalajara, Mexico.

In 2020-21, Business Events Perth secured 67 national and international business events set to occur in Western Australia up to 2024 and boosting the State’s economy by more than $54 million.

In addition, funding from the State Government through Tourism Western Australia enabled BE Perth to directly support the staging of 190 local business events, connecting more than 82,000 delegates across the State assisting industry recovery and local jobs.

ENDS

Contact: Hannah Beattie | Media and Communications Coordinator | hbeattie@beperth.com | 9218 2919