Of these, tens of thousands are forecast to be international visitors to Australia according to Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), which operates Brisbane’s convention bureau.
BEDA has secured 89 events for Brisbane for this year, in partnership with industry. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in particular is a major bidding partner. The $123 million economic injection into the city and the 98,000 delegate figure is calculated on the bureau’s bidding success with its partners.
In addition, hundreds of other business events will take place in Brisbane during the year organised independently from BEDA, with the city’s bureau typically working on the highest value pieces of business and with a significant focus on events that align with priority industries for Brisbane.
Agriculture events are in focus this year with Brisbane hosting the Australian EvokeAg conference in February and the World Angus Forum in early May. Together these events are anticipated to attract 2,600 visitors to Brisbane.
Alongside this, a trio of international medical conferences, the International Conference on Microneedles, the Conference for the Organisation for Human Brain Mapping and the International Mental Health Nursing Conference, are expected to draw a collective audience of 3,000 delegates.
Meanwhile the Brisbane Truck Show, held every two years, will deliver another iteration in 2025, with 40,000 attendees expected.
Brisbane will also host the Australian Tourism Exchange later this month, with 1,500 sellers from Australia’s tourism industry expected to meet with 700 international buyers from 30 countries.
“Our health sector is set to grow 36 per cent by 2031, powering innovation in vaccines, immunotherapy, medical robotics, pharmaceuticals and artificial organs,” said BEDA’s CEO Anthony Ryan.
“Agriculture is also booming, supported by strong trade relationships with Asia, while our transport and logistics industry is growing faster than the national average, benefiting from one of the best freight networks in the country.
“These dynamic industries make our city a magnet for international conferences and the thousands of delegates who will stay, shop and dine in our city.”
