In April 1997, Tourism Council Australia (TCA) convened a meeting of major stakeholders to reach agreement on how to bring together various initiatives across Australia into a uniform framework.
Outcomes of that meeting were:
In accordance with the decision of the 1997 Brisbane meeting, TCA established a National Accreditation Committee, which was subsequently entitled the Australian Tourism Accreditation Authority (ATAA).
The ATAA's charter is to provide leadership and co-ordination in the development and implementation of accreditation programs for the tourism industry within a national framework. It will provide for continuous increases in industry professionalism and standards, a quality experience for visitors throughout Australia and deliver clear business benefits for tourism enterprises.
It was agreed that the most efficient method to further the establishment of the national system, incorporating the existing initiatives, was to evolve and adopt cross-sectoral minimum requirements for accreditation. This was called the Australian Tourism Accreditation Standard (the 'Standard').
This diagram demonstrates where your business and the National Tourism Accreditation Program (WA) fit into the Australian Tourism Accreditation System.
Australian Tourism Accreditation Association (ATAA)
Responsible for setting national standards which tourism accreditation programs must comply with.
State/Territory Tourism Accreditation Committee
(eg. WATAC)
Ratify tourism accreditation programs offered in each state.
National Tourism Accreditation Program (WA)
Operated by Tourism Council WA.
You apply to become Accredited under this Program.
Your Events Industry Business
The Standard defines the core business activities and good business practices required by a tourism/events enterprise to successfully gain Accreditation. The Standard is a checklist of the features found to be essential for a viable Events Industry business. It is against the key elements of the Standard that a business wishing to become Accredited is formally assessed.
Those elements ensure an enterprise focuses on managing the operator’s obligations – for staff, equipment, facilities, processes and overall performance – to meet or exceed customer expectations.
A business which meets the requirements of the Standard, and gains Accreditation, signals to its customers and to the wider industry that it is committed to providing high quality products, services and experiences.
The Accreditation Program is a business development program that is based on Quality Assurance principles and is aligned to the Australian and International Standards for Quality Management Systems – ISO 9002.
The Program addresses many of the issues that are covered in the development of a business plan but focuses on those key elements that are part of the day to day function of any Events industry operation.
This is achieved by the development of professional management systems that will lead to reliability, consistency and predictability in the operation of the business which in turn results in improved customer service and satisfaction.
In turn, Accreditation will provide clients and industry colleagues with an assurance that participating businesses are committed to professionalism both in business operations and delivery of service.
If the Events industry members are to achieve success in the increasingly competitive local, national and international markets, all sectors of the industry must develop quality products and services that will meet the expectations of their customers.
To achieve this goal, all businesses involved in the industry must pay close attention to their business practices to ensure that the services and products offered by them are reliable, consistent and predictable. Customer confidence will be the resulting outcome, which in turn will lead to increased profitability.
The development and implementation of a Events industry accreditation program, based on Quality Assurance principles, which establishes a benchmark of professional management procedures for Events industry operators, is a significant step in this process.
The following is a brief summary of the benefits that will flow from this process to operators, the industry and to the consumer.
This in effect is the recognition of quality standards and professional service.
The Accreditation manual will guide you through the Accreditation process and assist you to demonstrate a professional and sustainable approach to your business.
All information and documentation supplied by your business will be treated as strictly confidential and will only be reviewed as part of the Accreditation Program process.
There is no time restriction for completing the requirements, however please be aware that the registration fee paid to Events Industry Association (WA) Inc. will expire after one year. Should your documentation be submitted after this time, an additional fee will apply.
All businesses undertake the same Program regardless of size however the level of detail that you provide for each component should be as applicable to the size and nature of your business. Additional sectoral requirements may also need to be adhered to. The Program Manager will advise you in this instance.
For information on professional development programs and industry information please do not hesitate and contact the Events Industry Association Administrator.
Use existing material if you have it in place – do not reinvent the wheel. Model documentation is supplied on disk. You can use these examples or design your own but keep the material simple and do not drown yourself in paperwork.
You are not required to complete all of the examples provided in order to achieve Accreditation. Information should be provided as applicable to the size and nature of the business. All staff in the business should be involved in the development of these processes and understand them.
At all levels, assistance in the form of counselling and training is available however it must be understood that the documented management system belongs entirely to the participating business.
The amount of time needed to complete the documentation and achieve Accreditation will depend largely on the nature, size and preparedness of the business. Many businesses already have some of the documentation in place. This is an opportunity for you to work on your business rather than in it, so treat the time spent as an investment in your future.
The sooner you work through the Program, the sooner your business will reap the rewards of Accreditation.
The Program is operated on a 12 month basis so when your business gains Accreditation status, it is valid until the end of that period.
At the first and subsequent 6 monthly audit, the internal auditor will complete a report which will be looking for conformity to the requirements in the Program and also check to ensure that you are actually doing what you told us you were doing in the original documentation.
Note: Please be assured that during an on-site audit, the Accreditation team member will have NO interest in the financial records and profit and loss accounts of your business.
Endorsement from the Australian Tourism Accreditation Association allows Tourism Council Western Australia to administer and implement the National Tourism Accreditation Program (WA) and distribute the Australian Tourism Accreditation logo to Accredited Tourism Businesses. Events Industry Association will administer its own endorsed program under these guidelines set out by ATAA. Upon your application to EIA being approved, the Program Manager will issue your Accreditation status, providing your business with an Accreditation certificate, the nationally recognised logo and logo bromides for promotion.
The Events Industry Accreditation Committee is the final authority for approving Accreditation applications and renewals. An appeal is available if there is a disagreement with a Committee decision. The Committee is compromised of key WA industry representatives, with a sector specific spread.
Accredited businesses have made an ethical and professional commitment to maintain a level of standard, conduct and performance, as set out in the Program. Businesses that do not abide by these conditions may have their Accreditation status revoked. The Events Industry Association Accreditation Committee has the authority to make this decision.
Reasons may include:
If, during the course of an on-site visit, or as a result of a customer complaint made to the Program Manager, a non-compliance is identified, then a Quality Improvement Request will be raised against that business concerned. The process used is explained in more detail in the Quality Improvement Requests section of this information material.
Where Accreditation has been removed, a business must immediately return their Accreditation certificate and cease to represent the business as being Accredited with The Events Industry Association under the National Tourism Accreditation Program (WA) and any other related co-operative marketing programs.
You have the right of appeal against any decision that is adverse to your interests. A business applying or re-applying may appeal to The Events Industry Association Accreditation Committee if their Accreditation application or renewal application is refused. The Committee will re-assess the appeal and make the final decision.
An appeal must be lodged in writing to the Program Manager no later than fourteen days after notice of the Committee’s decision.
The Accreditation Program’s nationally recognised logo signals to your customers, colleagues and the industry that you operate a professional business meeting the Australian Tourism and Events Industry Association (WA) Accreditation Standards. Accredited businesses are encouraged to utilise the logo in all facets of promotion and marketing – on stationery, brochures and advertisements. The logo is available electronically from the Program Manager.
Where Accreditation is cancelled, businesses must immediately cease to utilise the Accreditation logo, remove the sticker and return the logo bromides and other material to the Program Manager. You will also endeavour to do your best to recall from the market place all distributed marketing material which displays the logo.
Events Industry Accreditation in Western Australia is an important initiative intended to identify and develop a quality, market-ready product to ensure consistent standards and a customer focused approach among operators.
Customer feedback forms have been developed to provide important information on Accredited businesses, for you and the Program Manager. These forms have a postage paid return address to Events Industry Association (WA) and will be available for you to provide to customers if you wish.
Renewals are sent out approx 1 month prior to the end of your accredited 12 month period and should be paid within 30 days.
If you sell your business the Accreditation status is not transferable. It is the duty of the vendor to notify the Program Manager on completion of the sale. New owners must re-apply.
Several sectors of the industry have expressed an interest in developing additional requirements that are specific to businesses within these sectors of the industry. The Program Manager will notify you if you are required to fulfil any additional criteria.
