expansion as no exception. Drawing on the example of Adelaide, where a revamped convention centre led to a flurry of hotel developments, he anticipates similar outcomes in Canberra. “We’re expecting investment in accommodation, food and beverage, logistics, and transport. The ripple effect will be significant,” he notes.“Business events drive all these sectors, and when you build a venue of this scale, everyone sees the opportunity.” The implications go beyond hospitality. Enhanced visitation will increase demand for tech providers, tourism operators, and support services, ultimately revitalising precincts throughout the city. To support this growth, Wood advocates increased investment in the Canberra Convention Bureau. “If you’re going to make such a significant investment in infrastructure, you need to resource the team that markets and fills that infrastructure,” he says. “We already have the intellectual capital—leaders 64 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 05
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