With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, Brisbane has the opportunity to showcase not only its capability and capacity for sport but also the breadth of its expertise and innovation across a range of business and industry sectors, including its global reputation as a hub for energy and resources. The Queensland government is investing more than A$62bn in the future energy transition process, reinforcing the city’s leadership in the sector.
In 2022-23, mining was Queensland’s largest industry, valued at A$86.5bn. The state’s rich mineral resources, including cobalt, vanadium and rare earth elements, position it at the forefront of the global energy transition, supplying essential materials for batteries, aerospace alloys and energy storage solutions.
1. Brisbane research institutes focuses on energy and resources
Brisbane is home to some of the world’s brightest energy and resources minds and institutions conducting research across the energy and resources lifecycle, from exploration and processing to environmental management and rehabilitation. Several of these key institutes are based at the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies and include the Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance and the Minerals Resources Group. Both of these organisations are operated by Australia’s globally renowned agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which is responsible for scientific research and its commercial and industrial applications.
Queen’s Wharf, BrisbaneThe University of Queensland (UQ) and Griffith University are key contributors to sustainable energy research. UQ’s Energy Transition Network and Sustainable Minerals Institute focus on the ethical supply of resources, while Griffith’s Centre for Catalysis and Clean Energy pioneers material science innovation. Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Clean Energy Technologies and Practices drives advancements in low-emissions systems.
Brisbane is also home to the Queensland government’s Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station, delivering world-leading mining safety solutions.
2. Brisbane is Australia’s quantum computing hub
Quantum computers surpass today’s supercomputers, addressing complex challenges in energy, health, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, security and food production. Brisbane, Australia’s quantum computing hub, hosts two of the nation’s four Quantum Centres of Excellence, with the sector projected to reach A$2.2bn by 2030.
The world’s first commercial-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer is to be built in Brisbane by PsiQuantum, a leading US-based advanced technology company planning to establish its Asia Pacific headquarters in Brisbane.
3. Brisbane is a world leader in mining equipment, technology and services
In addition to extensive research facilities, Brisbane is a centre for excellence in the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector, hosting the world’s largest METS cluster. Over 500 METS companies in south-east Queensland, from large contractors to smaller firms, offer advanced solutions for the coal, oil, gas and minerals sectors, including education, environmental management, mineral processing, digital productivity solutions, research and development, contract mining, health and safety and social performance.
Brisbane is one of Australia’s biggest METS hubs4. Brisbane’s expertise and capability is attracting key energy and resources events
Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), in collaboration with the award-winning Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), recognises that the city’s depth of global leaders and cutting-edge innovation in energy and resources research and development presents a powerful proposition for the city to attract key international business events of relevance.
Amongst the many advantages of choosing Brisbane as a host destination for an energy and resources sector business event are its capacity to offer a strong base of local delegates to attend an event and potential sponsors to provide support. Brisbane’s close proximity to the Asia Pacific region and extensive aviation networks have encouraged many major energy and resources companies to establish their headquarters in the city.
Brisbane-based research facilities and corporations can provide locally based world-leading expert speakers and presenters. There is scope to undertake innovative and educational technical tours as part of a conference programme, and there is also the opportunity for new investment opportunities and collaborations.
Business events associated with the energy and resources sector also provide Brisbane with an invaluable opportunity to globally showcase the city’s innovation and ingenuity in creative and ground-breaking technological developments, cultural and social awareness initiatives and environmental considerations on the transition to clean and green energy.
Two major energy and resources events that have chosen Brisbane recently:
World Mining Congress in 2023
In June 2023, Brisbane hosted the 26th World Mining Congress (WMC), welcoming over 3,500 participants from across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australia. With the theme ‘Resourcing Tomorrow: Creating Value for Society’, the programme encompassed 15 plenary speakers and over 300 technical discussions via 13 core streams and three symposia, as well as 15,000sqm of exhibition space.
Marking its first time in Australia in the event’s 60-year history, the WMC was hosted by the CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency – one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world. The congress was staged at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, which had led the joint bid to attract the congress to Brisbane, in conjunction with Brisbane Economic Development Agency, Tourism and Events Queensland and the CSIRO. The congress also received strong support from the Australian and Queensland governments, as well as the University of Queensland.
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition CentreAsia Pacific Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition in 2024
The Asia Pacific Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition, held in Brisbane in 2024 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, attracted over 3,000 leaders and experts and provided a platform for collaboration and innovation. The two-day event featured a strategic summit and an exhibition with over 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest hydrogen advancements. The Queensland government was a key sponsor and partnered with the Australian Hydrogen Council and the Australian government’s Trade and Investment Commission.
Recent energy and resources events in Brisbane also include the 8th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Engineering (2024), the Critical Minerals Conference (2024) and the Energy Networks Conference & Exhibition (2022).
5. City support and collaboration play a key role for business event planners
Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), the city’s official convention bureau, provides exceptional support for prestigious business events like the World Mining Congress and the Asia Pacific Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition. BEDA drives the sustainable growth of the city, collaborating across investment attraction, business growth, major events and leisure tourism portfolios.
Lorelle Chittick, general manager of tourism, business and major events at BEDA, highlighted how the organisation provides an invaluable role: “BEDA’s holistic support networks provide access to business leaders, industry, government and the academic community in a way which streamlines connections for business event planners who are seeking to stage a successful business event in our city,” she said.
“The BEDA business events team’s in-depth local knowledge can assist in many ways – this might include connecting event organisers with locals who are renowned experts in their fields or providing potential technical tour options which will impressively enhance an event programme. And as the city’s key destination management organisation, BEDA provides personalised introductions to its venue, accommodation and service partners who also form a crucial part of Team Brisbane’s capacity to deliver exceptional business events.”
Connect with BEDA to find out more about the city’s industry sectors and business events and start planning your next event here: https://choose.brisbane.qld.au/events/business-events
Sponsored by Brisbane Economic Development Agency in partnership with Business Events Australia.
