APEC again

The APEC 2007 Taskforce sent us a response to our blog comments, we felt it was only right to post there comments. .........see below

Thanks for allowing us to provide these additional points in response to whether Sydney, particularly the meetings industry, can cope with hosting APEC in Sydney, as explored a recent blog on the CIM website. As mentioned, we are also happy for you to add these to the feature you have written and attribute to head of the APEC 2007 Taskforce, Alan Henderson, in line with our initial responses.

· The APEC 2007 Taskforce comprises a professional team of event managers who have come together to stage one of the largest diplomatic events ever held in Australia.

· Rather than ‘shutting out’ the meetings industry, the Taskforce draws together many experienced PCOs (Professional Conference Organisers) and meetings professionals, many of whom have worked on other successful events held in Australia (eg. Sydney 2000 Olympics, Rugby World Cup, Melbourne Commonwealth Games, CHOGM, etc).

· A division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the APEC 2007 Taskforce is working collaboratively with the Commonwealth and State Governments and key agencies and stakeholders to deliver a safe and successful event.

· From January to September over 100 days of meetings will be hosted across the country as part of the APEC Australia 2007™ year. All meetings to date have been delivered successfully.

· Hosting the APEC Australia 2007™ year will provide Australia with an opportunity to showcase its unique and diverse business, society and culture to influential constituencies within the region and to the wider international community. APEC meetings are a fantastic road show around Australia.

· The success of APEC Leaders Week and the series of meetings held throughout the APEC Australia 2007™ year will benefit Australia’s meetings industry because it will clearly demonstrate that Australia, and in particular, Sydney, is capable of hosting/delivering one of the most important annual meetings of world leaders.


http://www.apec2007.org/