Brisbane’s conference sector proving its weight in gold

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has secured 77 new conventions for the future during 2021, worth an estimated AUD$144m (US$105m) in direct expenditure to the Australian state of Queensland. The events will deliver an anticipated 50,000 delegates to Brisbane, generating 245,000 room nights to the city’s hotels. BCEC is the major driver of these business events to Brisbane and Queensland, responsible for more than 70% of delegate stays and visitation. Among the newly confirmed conferences are several large-scale events including three events set to deliver 2,000 delegates to Brisbane, one forecasting more than 8,000 and one with 5,000 delegates over the next three years. These global and national meetings will aim to attract talent and expertise across a range of the Queensland’s key sector industries, including technology, transport, population, healthcare, science and research. Bob O’Keeffe, general manager of BCEC, said: “It is proven that business events have wide and enduring benefits associated with knowledge transfer and international collaboration, and everyone wants to regain that.” The Centre’s long-term partnerships and collaboration with Brisbane’s science and research communities through its Convention Advocates Partnership is an influencing factor in attracting scientific meetings to Brisbane. Experts in population research will be among those heading to Brisbane to attend the International Population Conference in 2025, the first time in the event’s 93-year history that it has been held in Australia. O’Keeffe believes that interest in Australia is strong and will only be amplified in future with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games enhancing awareness. “Brisbane’s infrastructure development has already begun, and with the boost of further investment as part of the official Olympic Infrastructure program, Brisbane and the Centre’s appeal as a business events destination is expected to skyrocket,” O’Keefe added.