The focus will be on global eye health care at the recently confirmed Congress of the International Orthoptic Association (IOA) to be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in June 2024.

Orthoptists are eye health professionals who play an integral role in the assessment, diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of eye and vision disorders across the human lifespan. Locally, Orthoptists contribute to eye health care in Australia and are engaged in indigenous and regional eye health care across the country.

The IOA Congress – currently considered to be the most important orthoptic meeting in the world, promises to be a catalyst for driving improvements in eye health care across Australia and the Asia Pacific Region.

On behalf of the host organisation, Orthoptics Australia, President, Marion Rivers said they looked forward to welcoming orthoptists from 23 IOA membership countries from around the world who are expected to attend the Congress.

“The Congress will provide us with the opportunity to showcase the work of our Australian orthoptists and global colleagues as well as demonstrate the strength and importance of this niche field in Queensland where there is a high demand for qualified professionals precipitating an increase in higher education and research in the sector.”

The team at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre worked closely with the local national association, Orthoptics Australia, in collaboration with Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane Marketing to secure the conference for Queensland and Brisbane.

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 from around the world to Brisbane in 2024,” Ms Jones said.

“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.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said thanks to an impressive Brisbane bid, the IOA Congress would generate an economic impact of more than $1 million and provide a boost to the local tourism, service and knowledge sectors.

“Being chosen to host this important international congress is a credit to our collaborative Team Brisbane approach and our growing reputation as a leading medical research, business events and tourism destination,” Cr Schrinner said.

BCEC General Manager Bob O’Keeffe said the Centre was honoured to work with our long term association colleagues and our city convention partners to bring this congress to Brisbane.

“Health care is a priority sector for both BCEC and Queensland and we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s leading professionals working in this very important sector which affects so many people of all ages in our community.”

Published: 2 May 2019

Direct media enquiries to:

Gail Sawyer, Marketing and Communications Manager

T: +61 7 3308 3023  M: 0439 733 509  E: gails@bcec.com.au