Asia Oceania Otorhinolaryngological Head and Neck Surgery Congress (AO ORL-HNS) 2023, the major ear, nose and throat scientific event in Asia-Oceania, is returning to Australia for the first time in 40 years.

The five day conference will take place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in March 2023 and is expected to attract some 1,500 clinicians and specialist surgeons working with the ear, nose, throat, head and neck.

Australian Otolaryngologists enjoy a high profile internationally and have been at the forefront of many life changing developments in the field including the cochlear implant which has changed the lives of thousands of people around the world.

The main driver of the successful bid for the 15^th Asia Oceania ORL–HNS Congress is world leading ear nose and throat surgeon, Associate Professor Bernard Lyons, past Secretary-General of The Asia-Oceania Association of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Societies (AOAOS) and now President-Elect. Associate Professor Lyons worked with Professor Ben Panizza and Dr. Phil Fisher, President of The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and the team at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre in collaboration with Tourism & Events Queensland, Tourism Australia and Brisbane Marketing to secure the prestigious surgical conference for Brisbane.

“This meeting is potentially the largest meeting to be held in the field of otolaryngology head and neck surgery in Australia. It is a unique opportunity for Australia to interact on a scientific basis with our neighbouring countries in the Asia Oceania region. We are very excited to have been successful in our bid to hold the meeting beating spirited challenges from Korea and Vietnam. I very much look forward to being involved in planning this meeting with the help of the expert team from the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre,” Associate Professor Lyons said.

Events such as the 15^th Asia Oceania ORL-HNS Congress, which was supported by Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program, drive visitation to Australia and leave a lasting impact long after they are held.

“Attracting large-scale international business events to Australia is a critical part of Tourism Australia’s strategy and I’m delighted the bid fund support helped secure Asia Oceania Otorhinolaryngological Head and Neck Surgery Congress (AO ORL-HNS).” Tourism Australia’s Executive General Manager of Events, Penny Lion.

The Congress is expected to deliver $4.5 million directly into the Brisbane and Queensland economies while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, optimising healthcare across the region.

Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones welcomed the announcement.  “Queensland continues to demonstrate its world-class event hosting capabilities and we look forward to welcoming delegates to Brisbane in 2023,” Ms Jones said.

“Queensland is a leader in innovation and I am sure delegates will be inspired by the local case studies and examples they learn about while here.

“The beauty of Brisbane as a business event host is that this is a place where life is beautiful one day, perfect the next which means delegates can extend their stay or enjoy iconic tourism experiences in between conference commitments.

“The Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Business Events Acquisition and Leveraging Fund, is proud to support such events because they drive significant economic benefit for the state.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane offered the complete package when it came to hosting international business events.

“Brisbane is recognised as a leading research and innovation hub, home to many talented people working at the forefront of medical breakthroughs,” Cr Schrinner said.

“This local expertise coupled with exceptional meeting facilities and an expanding number of hotels, dining and visitor experiences made Brisbane a clear choice to host the Asia Oceania Otorhinolaryngological Head and Neck Surgery Congress.”

Brisbane and Queensland figure prominently in the head and neck space, evidenced by the recent news of human trials of a head and neck cancer vaccine developed by BCEC Advocate, and celebrated scientist Professor Ian Frazer.

Fellow BCEC Advocate, Princess Alexandra Hospital cancer specialist, Professor Sandro Porceddu is working with Professor Frazer on the human trial testing of the vaccine.

Host organisation, The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (ASOHNS) hopes the congress will foster relationships and ongoing regional programs to drive Asia Oceania to the forefront of cutting edge medicine.

BCEC General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe AM said the Centre’s International Team works closely with many leading medical, research and scientific leaders and BCEC Advocates to secure major meetings such as this, which are an endorsement of Queensland’s strengths in the key science and research sectors.

“We believe the Centre has an important role to play in helping deliver these meetings for the future growth and development of Brisbane and the contribution to the knowledge economy.”

Published: 10 July 2019

Updated: 18 July 2019

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