Central West council coalition wins bid to host prestigious 2022 visitor economy conference

22 July 2021

Orange, Cabonne and Blayney councils have joined forces to successfully bid for hosting rights to one of the State’s premier destination and visitor economy conferences, expected to draw hundreds of participants from around NSW.

Local Government NSW President Linda Scott congratulated Orange City Council, Cabonne Council and Blayney Shire Council for their successful combined bid to host the 2022 LGNSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference.

“These annual conferences are designed to bring local government staff and councillors together to discuss ways of enhancing the visitor economy and creating new jobs across NSW,” said Cr Scott.

“They have proven to be highly successful, and this year for the first time we expanded the parameters of the three-day conference to look at the wider issue of economic development in local government.

“This broader approach was well received by participants and we will be seeking to repeat that success next year when we meet at Orange for the 2022 event.

“Councils have demonstrated their credentials to provide a locally led economy creating thousands of new jobs for their communities, and the visitor economy is a crucial element in that success.”

Cr Scott said the coalition made a compelling case to host the 2022 conference.

“The Central West is a beautiful and vibrant part of our State, and Orange, Cabonne and Blayney councils did an amazing job presenting everything the region has to offer our conference,” she said.

“It is accessible by air, train, bus or a beautiful 3.5-hour drive. It is a diverse economic area, with stellar food, wine and cultural experiences. In the post-COVID lockdown third quarter of 2020, the region saw a record-breaking 177,000 visitors stay 475,000 nights.

“They are obviously doing something right and attending the conference there will be an enriching experience.

“The Central West councils alliance put forward a comprehensive and jam-packed three-day sample program that reflected the wealth of experiences the region has to offer, and the fact they banded together to make the bid happen shows what is possible when councils work together.

“I congratulate Blayney Shire Council Mayor Scott Ferguson, Cabonne Council Mayor Kevin Beatty and Orange City Council Mayor Reg Kidd for joining forces and putting together the outstanding winning bid for next year’s Destination & Visitor Economy Conference.”

Blayney Shire Council Mayor Scott Ferguson said he was pleased his region would have an opportunity to be involved in the conference and showcase everything it had to offer visitors at next year’s event.

“I am confident participants at the conference are going to have a memorable stay and I thank LGNSW for the opportunity to host it,” he said.

Cabonne Council Mayor Kevin Beatty agreed, and said it was a rewarding outcome for the efforts of putting the combined bid in.

“It was a great experience working with Blayney and Orange councils, and I am looking forward to making next year’s conference an event to remember,” he said.

Orange City Council Mayor Reg Kidd said next year’s conference would be hosted at one of the city’s premier venues in Orange.

“I am proud that our city and our region can match it with the best when it comes to hosting major events such as the LGNSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference,” he said.