The Adelaide Hills, nestled in the picturesque landscape of South Australia, is set to host the Australian Regional Tourism (ART) Convention from October 14-17, 2025. This prestigious event, considered the most significant annual gathering for regional tourism professionals, provides a platform for industry experts to exchange ideas, promote their products, discuss challenges, and showcase best practices.
This is the third time South Australia has hosted the ART Convention, previously welcoming the event in the Barossa Valley in 2008 and Victor Harbour in 2015. The 2025 convention is expected to attract up to 200 delegates, giving them a unique opportunity to explore the Adelaide Hills and wider South Australia, showcasing the region’s tourism offerings on a national stage.
The event will highlight the Adelaide Hills’ world-renowned food, wine, and nature-based experiences, with a particular focus on agritourism and sustainability. These themes are central to the region’s long-term success, emphasizing its commitment to environmental, economic, and social well-being.
Business events play a vital role in driving economic growth for South Australia. They also provide valuable platforms for showcasing the state’s diverse attractions to discerning business visitors from across the nation and the globe. In 2024, South Australia hosted a range of successful business events, including the Asia Pacific Hotel & Industry Conference for the fourth consecutive year, attracting over 1,500 delegates from more than 40 countries. The Australian Cruise Association Annual Conference was also a major highlight.
The 2025 Australian Regional Tourism Convention is proudly supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission, Adelaide Hills Tourism, and Business Events Adelaide. Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison, expressed her excitement about hosting the event in the Adelaide Hills: “Just 20 minutes’ drive from the CBD, this thriving tourism region offers world-class winery experiences, pristine nature and wildlife, iconic agritourism products including Beerenberg and Jurlique, as well as the charming historic German town, Hahndorf. The Australian Regional Tourism Convention will give us another valuable opportunity to showcase all that the Adelaide Hills offers, including agritourism, wellness, and nature while encouraging delegates to extend their stay and enjoy wider South Australia.”
ART Chair, Joel Chadwick, extended his congratulations to AHT, the South Australian Tourism Commission, and Business Events Adelaide for securing this highly sought-after event. “We are excited to be working with Adelaide Hills on delivering an outstanding program for 2025,” Mr. Chadwick said. “This is a region that anchors heavily into its provenance and nature-based products, historical towns and villages, all of which are supported by a thriving local community and a growing visitor economy, common themes heavily explored by ART.”
