The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has launched its First Peoples Engagement Guide, a resource aimed at assisting event planners in creating culturally enriching business events and fostering positive social impact.
Tailored specifically to the business events industry, the introductory guide includes practical information about when and how to organise a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country, a curated Indigenous Business Events Supplier Guide, and tips on how to put the guide into practice.
The First Peoples Engagement Guide highlights local talent and Indigenous-owned and led businesses poised to elevate business events with cultural richness and diversity.
From credit professionals able to conduct Acknowledgements of Country to caterers offering native fusion cuisine and merchandising suppliers contributing to Social Impact Funds, the guide equips planners with the tools to create captivating events. The guide also features sample incentive itineraries that include Victoria’s Indigenous history, culture, and contemporary experience.
For example, international associations hosting their conference in Melbourne can learn how to respect local traditions, increase their social impact outcomes, and support their company’s sustainability policy. For Australian organisations, this will help with Reconciliation Action Plan initiatives.
Meanwhile, corporate meeting and incentive planners will be able to find inspiring speakers or entertainment well-suited for gala dinners or welcome events, as well as culture-rich experiences to add to the itinerary.
Speaking at the opening press conference at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meeting Event 2024, MCB’s chief executive Julia Swanson highlighted: “Event planners are increasingly seeking to integrate First Peoples-led suppliers into their programmes, recognising the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the social outcomes of Victoria’s First Peoples and their future generations.
“Melbourne and Victoria boast thousands of years of Aboriginal culture, providing a profound backdrop to enrich delegate experiences. By incorporating Indigenous-owned and operated suppliers into a business event programme, it not only celebrates this cultural heritage but also positively impacts the social fabric of Victoria’s First Peoples and contributes to the well-being of future generations.”
MCB aims for the guide to be a regular reference tool for business event planners, as well as to help deliver lasting legacies. It supports the bureau’s sustainability strategy and aligns with Experience Victoria 2033, Victoria’s strategic plan to shape the future of the visitor economy over the next 10 years, empowering the First Peoples community in the tourism and events sectors, and positioning Victoria as a leading destination for diverse, First Peoples-led experiences.
While MCB encourages working with Indigenous event suppliers, it also partners with over 120 suppliers including hotels, venues, PCOs, transport providers, tour operators and more to deliver successful business events. MCB will continue to update the supplier directory and provide ongoing sources of inspiration for business event planners in the future.
The First People’s Engagement Guide can be found here.
