Brisbane has won the bid to host a US-headquartered paediatric health symposium in March 2021.

The AG Bell Global Listening and Spoken Language Symposium will see 500 global experts converge on the city, in its first-ever Asia Pacific iteration of the event.

The bid was led by economic development board Brisbane Marketing in partnership with Hear and Say, a local non-for-profit providing early intervention services for children with hearing loss.

Hear and Say clinical director and recently appointed president of the AG Bell Academy Board Emma Rushbrooke was one of the first recipients of the Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant.

She used the grant to attend the symposium in 2018 and worked with Brisbane Marketing to advocate for Brisbane as a future host city.

“This conference will significantly boost Hear and Say’s profile, enhancing our reputation as specialists on an international scale, and showcasing our Brisbane HQ as a centre of excellence for paediatric hearing healthcare, research and training,” said Rushbrooke.

“We are doing some great research here in Australia and now we are being recognised internationally for our excellent level of service for children with hearing loss.

“I’m really excited we will be hosting the first conference of its kind in Brisbane.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the three-day symposium would generate more than $890,000 for the local economy, while highlighting Brisbane’s expertise in paediatric hearing and healthcare research.

“Business events generate an average $250 million for Brisbane’s economy annually, and each conference that comes to our city facilitates knowledge exchange, partnerships and boosts the local tourism, hospitality and service sectors,” he said.

“Teaming up with professionals like Ms Rushbrooke to attract international conferences is precisely why the Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant was established and it’s pleasing to see another conference secured through the program.”