Brisbane to put on a smile for 1,500 dental hygienists, following extraction from Seoul

The 21st IFDH International Symposium on Dental Hygiene is set to take place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in August 2019. Hosted by the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia (DHAA) under the auspices of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH), the three-day symposium, originally set for Seoul, was relocated to Australia following concern around increased political tension on the Korean peninsula. The event organisers are considering returning to Seoul in 2024, however. With 17 of the federation’s 34 member countries based in Europe, the majority of international delegates are expected to come from Europe and the United States, although there is expected to be strong representation from Australia, India, Korea, Japan, South Africa and Singapore. Many of the delegates, organisers claim, will embark on pre- and post-touring of Queensland. The BCEC team, in collaboration with the Queensland government through Tourism and Events Queensland and supported by Brisbane Marketing, secured the conference for Brisbane for the first time. Queensland minister for innovation and tourism industry development Kate Jones described securing the symposium for Queensland as a big win. “Business events such as this symposium are important drivers of tourism for Queensland, with the state welcoming over 4.9m business visitors every year,” she said. “The BCEC in the heart of Brisbane’s South Bank precinct offers the complete package for business travellers in terms of location, experience and hospitality. Many of the delegates attending will go on to explore Queensland, boosting tourism and the state’s economy. “Continuing to grow our business sector by securing international conferences and business events is a key part of our tourism strategy. I look forward to welcoming these world-leading health professionals in 2019,” Jones added. During a recent visit to Brisbane, IFDH President Robyn Watson said the Queensland capital had been chosen to host the 2019 event after a formal decision process by the IFDH board. “We are delighted that it is to be hosted in Australia – and many overseas colleagues that I speak to express a desire to visit Australia,” she said. “It is a safe city, it has a world-class convention centre, it is the gateway to the famous Great Barrier Reef, it is easy to get to from international destinations – Brisbane encompasses the true Australian experience.” Dr Melanie Hayes, CEO of the local host organisation, Dental Hygienists Association of Australia, said the conference programme would focus on opportunities for leadership, empowerment, advancement and diversity. “We wanted the programme to have a broader framework and not just a purely clinical one,” she noted. Brisbane Convention Bureau acting general manager, Juliet Alabaster, added that delegates could look forward to an enjoyable time in Brisbane, a city that was home to many pioneers in medical research. “Our city is accessible, warm and welcoming with world-class facilities, hotels and restaurants and an unmatchable outdoor climate,” said Alabaster.