Trends Ep 83 Alex Ng Business Events Perth Western Australia Let's go!

Perth: Western Australia’s Rising Star in the Global Business Events Arena | Trends with David Barrett Perth has arrived. Once known as Australia’s remote outpost, this Western capital is now redefining itself as a global powerhouse for business events, incentive travel, and tourism growth. In this episode of Trends, host David Barrett sits down with Alex Ng, Director of Business Development – Corporate & Incentive at Business Events Perth, during IT&CMA and CTW 2025 in Bangkok to explore how Perth is transforming into one of the Asia-Pacific’s most exciting destinations for meetings and incentives. Perth welcomed 5.26 million visitors in the year ending December 2024, including 810,000 international tourists, generating A$5.33 billion in visitor spending, up 36% from 2019. With its pristine natural landscapes, upgraded infrastructure and strong connections to Asia, Perth is no longer a hidden gem, it’s a destination in demand. Ng reveals how multi-billion-dollar investments have changed the city skyline and its appeal to corporate event planners. From the world-class Optus Stadium and Crown Towers to the Ritz-Carlton Perth and DoubleTree by Hilton Waterfront, Perth now competes confidently on a global stage. Yet what makes it truly distinctive is its balance, the calm, natural beauty of Western Australia’s coastlines combined with the sophistication of a modern business hub. Sustainability is another key pillar. Business Events Perth contributes to the Gondwana Link reforestation project, turning every delegate visit into a step towards restoring Western Australia’s ecosystems. Visitors are also encouraged to engage with the region’s First Nation communities, learning from Aboriginal culture and connecting to 60,000 years of storytelling and stewardship. Perth’s culinary scene adds yet another dimension. From dining on Western Australian rock lobster to joining the WOW Seafood Experience; catching and cooking your own crayfish from the Indian Ocean. Incentive travellers can enjoy immersive, authentic experiences that connect them to place and purpose. Then there’s the quokka selfie, that unmistakably Perth moment on Rottnest Island where delegates and leisure travellers alike meet the “happiest animal on Earth.” As Ng notes, “If you look up ‘quokka selfie’ on Google, you’ll see thousands of people smiling alongside them. It’s one of our most distinctive and endearing attractions.” Just a five-hour flight from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Jakarta, Perth is perfectly positioned as a gateway between Asia and Australia. Its emerging ties with India signal the next wave of growth, as the market begins to discover Western Australia’s blend of open spaces, modernity, and meaningful experiences. “Delegates today are looking for something beyond the boardroom,” Ng says. “They want experiences that connect them with place and purpose. In Perth, that means walking with Indigenous elders, exploring natural parks, or dining on seafood you’ve just caught yourself.” For the business events sector, Perth is more than a destination, it’s a statement of intent. A city that’s modern yet mindful, ambitious yet authentic. A place where innovation meets nature, and where every event leaves a legacy. Watch now to discover why Perth is Western Australia’s rising star in the global business events arena. 🎥 Interview filmed at: IT&CMA and CTW 2025, Bangkok 🎤 Host: David Barrett, Trends TV 💼 Guest: Alex Ng, Director Business Development – Corporate & Incentive, Business Events Perth 🤝 With thanks to: TTG Events for facilitating this Trends interview