Brisbane Convention Centre to host key political science congress

The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) will play host to the 25^thIPSA World Congress of Political Science from 21-25 July 2018. More than 2,400 political science experts will be gathering for the five-day congress, which is expected to generate a AUD$7.7m boost to the economy. The congress was secured through a competitive Team Brisbane bid involving Tourism and Events Queensland, BCEC and the city’s economic development board Brisbane Marketing. Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the congress had attracted nearly 1,000 more delegates than projected, with 80% of delegates visiting from international destinations. Quirk said: “Hosting a congress of this scale demonstrates Brisbane’s appeal as a business, research and leisure destination, and contributes to employment and economic benefits across our accommodation, venue, tourism and service sectors.” BCEC general manager Bob O’Keefe said: “Securing conferences of this nature reflects the close collegiate relationship the centre shares with Brisbane’s universities and academic community.” The impact of information technologies on global borders, the future of human rights and the rise of global populism are a few of the topics that will be explored under the congress theme ‘borders and margins’.