Brisbane Leads the Way in Securing Record Convention Business
23 Apr 2008

Marine researchers, conservationists and librarians together with musicians, lottery officials and global development experts will be among the many groups heading to Brisbane over the next few years following unprecedented demand for Brisbane and the world-class meeting facilities of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).

The team at the BCEC has secured a record 95 convention bid wins for Brisbane and Queensland so far this financial year, with the Centre’s forward bookings already at an all time high with more than 1000 events booked through to 2014. This newly confirmed business will bring an estimated additional $150 million in economic benefit to Brisbane and Queensland.

Among the major meetings confirmed for Brisbane are :

· 2008 Clinical Research Excellence  – 550 delegates
· 2009 International Association for Community Development/CD Qld Conference – 500 delegates
· 2009 TechnologyOne Evolve Conference – 800 delegates
· 2009  Cisco Networkers – 1300 delegates
· 2010 World Lottery Association Convention and Trade Show – 1000 delegates
· 2010 IFIP World Computer Congress  – 1500 delegates
· 2010 IFLA World Library and Information Congress– 3500 delegates
· 2010 PanPac – The Australian Veterinary Association and the New Zealand Veterinary Association – 1500 delegates
· 2011 Asian & Oceanian Congress of Child Neurology  – 400 delegates
· 2012 Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting – 450 delegates
· 2014 International Union for Pure & Applied Biophysics Congress – 1500 delegates

BCEC General Manager, Robert O’Keeffe said these outstanding results underpin the Queensland State Government’s recent announcement of $130 million expansion of the Centre’s convention facilities.

“In a very competitive market place, Brisbane has consolidated its position as a leading convention destination, is experiencing record growth and the Centre’s planned expansion will further strengthen our position.”

Mr O’Keeffe said the new Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Grey Street, with its five levels of boutique convention space will establish the Centre as Australia’s most flexible meetings and events venue, facilitating the hosting of an additional 250 events each year.

BCEC works closely with Brisbane Marketing and other industry partners to secure major events for Brisbane in a highly competitive environment and the recent success is an endorsement of the way in which the city’s major stakeholders work together.

Mr O’Keeffe said he expects the current growth of major conventions and meetings to continue. “Brisbane’s strong appeal and reputation as a leading meetings destination and the award winning facilities of the Convention Centre together with the addition of further comprehensive and advanced facilities represent a powerful proposition on which our sales team and industry partners will capitalise to the fullest extent,” he said.

Enquiries Gail Sawyer, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Ph 617 3308 3023 Mob 0439 733 509
Email gails@bcec.com.au

April 2008