Exhibition space for the event sold out in April and conference registrations sold out over two weeks ago.
There will be 60 exhibitors on the floor and more than 550 people attending the conference.
PCOA president Barry Neame attributes the demand for the conference this year to the appeal of both the new venue – The Star Brisbane at Queen’s Wharf opened in August – and Brisbane as a destination, alongside the conference content and the networking opportunities of the event.
The conference includes sessions on topics ranging from the importance of business events and creating impactful events to sponsorship, AV, hotel partnerships, event bidding, corporate event trends and sustainable workforce strategies.
On whether the big numbers this year put pressure on next year’s conference, Neame had this to say:
“This year’s incredible numbers set a high benchmark for PCOA25, but they also provide a great opportunity to build on the success.
“With the momentum we’ve gained, we are confident that next year’s conference will not only meet but exceed expectations.
“By analysing this year’s achievements, gathering feedback from attendees and continuing to innovate, PCOA25 can deliver even greater value and engagement.
“The bar has been raised, but so has our enthusiasm and commitment to delivering an outstanding experience.”
The PCOA conference begins on Sunday and wraps up on Tuesday. The conference takes place at the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf precinct, with an offsite networking event at Howard Smith Wharves on Monday evening.
