All eyes on Brisbane as conference and event industry leaders head to Queen’s Wharf

Hundreds of the country’s leading event and conference organisers will head to Brisbane next year as the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) and The Star Brisbane joined forces to host the Professional Conference Organisers Association Conference (PCOA24), 1-3 December 2024. Delegates will be among the first to experience the highly anticipated Queen’s Wharf Brisbane tourism development, the city’s new A$3.6bn entertainment and lifestyle precinct where The Star Brisbane is situated. PCOA24 is expected to attract more than 400 PCOs, in-house event planners, and meeting industry professionals to network, learn and collaborate. BEDA general manager tourism, business and major events, Lorelle Chittick said the conference would provide an opportunity to foster lasting partnerships and showcase Brisbane as a leading destination for global business events. “We’re thrilled to have secured this win for Brisbane, and eager to showcase our beautiful city, including the transformative Queen’s Wharf precinct, to influential event and conference organisers from across Australia and New Zealand,” Chittick added. “Brisbane is a globally recognised innovation hub with strengths in science, technology, energy and sustainability, making it the perfect destination to host conferences across established and emerging sectors,” she noted, adding: “As the city’s official convention bureau, BEDA will support the successful delivery of this conference to ensure a memorable experience for attendees, and leaving a lasting impression of Brisbane as a premier destination for future business events.” The Star Brisbane chief operating officer hospitality, Kelvin Dodt said: “Interest in The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf event spaces has surpassed our expectations. We are incredibly proud to work with BEDA and PCOA to showcase the best of Brisbane to Australia’s top conference organisers, event planners and meeting industry professionals and help drive future business for the city,” said Dodt. President of the PCOA Barry Neame said the last time PCOA gathered in Brisbane was in 2016.  “The Star Brisbane and the entire Queen’s Wharf precinct will provide an ideal backdrop for PCOA24,” he said For more information about the PCOA, visit pco.asn.au. Photo: The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf