CT Partners Expands Focus on Business Meetings and Events: A Strong Future for Australia's Events Industry

CT Partners network celebrating twenty years at its 2024 conference

As Australia’s business events sector prepares for a bustling 2025, CT Partners, Australia’s leading independent travel-buying network, is making waves with its growing focus on the meetings and events industry. With the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) just around the corner, taking place from February 10–12, CT Partners is spotlighting its expanding role in catering to the dynamic demands of corporate meetings, conferences, and events.

Seizing a Booming Opportunity in the Events Sector

The Australian business-events industry is booming, valued at an impressive $36 billion, according to Tourism Research Australia. Corporate customers are allocating a significant portion of their travel budgets—more than half, in many cases—to business events, underscoring the growing importance of in-person collaboration. As meeting planners increasingly prioritize face-to-face interactions, the sector is poised for rapid growth.

CT Partners is perfectly positioned at the forefront of this shift, offering unmatched support and opportunities to its members as they tap into this high-demand market. The network's expanding membership includes some of Australia’s top event-management companies, such as ATPI Meeting & Events, The Incentive Lab, TAG, Totem Events, and TRIBE. The Incentive Lab, in particular, was recently recognized at the National Travel Industry Awards, winning the coveted title of "Most Outstanding Business Events Travel Agency."

A Network Built for Success

One of the key strengths of CT Partners is the collaborative nature of its network. The organisation allows its members to share best practices, access advanced technology, and enjoy supplier relationships that open doors to new revenue streams. The network’s collective buying power maximizes value for all members, providing them with competitive advantages in the ever-evolving events sector.

CT Partners CEO Matt Masson highlighted the growing importance of the meetings and events industry within the travel landscape: “Meetings and events are emerging as one of the most exciting growth areas in the travel industry. The pandemic has changed how businesses operate, with a renewed emphasis on in-person collaboration, such as off-site strategy days, conferences, and team-building activities. CT Partners is uniquely positioned to help our members thrive in this dynamic space.”

As business leaders and teams increasingly focus on face-to-face engagement, CT Partners has identified a gap in the market for buying groups tailored to the specific needs of the meetings and events sector. By welcoming more events-focused businesses into its network in 2025, CT Partners plans to continue its expansion, ensuring that its members are prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly growing industry.

Record-Breaking Results and a Bright Future

CT Partners has already seen remarkable success, with the financial results for FY24 underscoring the strength of its business model. The network achieved a Total Transaction Value (TTV) exceeding $2 billion, bolstered by $1 billion in preferred airline production. This impressive performance highlights the power of CT Partners' member-centric approach, which delivers significant value by leveraging collective buying power and strong supplier relationships.

Looking ahead, CT Partners is set to further expand its presence in the business events sector, as the network continues to adapt to the needs of the market. As travel buyers and event planners look for innovative ways to connect and collaborate, CT Partners is primed to play a key role in the continued success of Australia’s meetings and events industry.

For more information on CT Partners and their growing focus on business events, visit ctpartners.com.au.