Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has recorded a 16% increase in results for the 2010/2011 financial year for Brisbane and the centre, demonstrating to be an outstanding performer in the national conference market.
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre record strong convention growth with 16% increase in the financial results of the year 2010-2011 and 103 newly confirmed conventions bringling in around AUD$100 billion into Queensland’s economy
Bob O’Keeffe, general manager of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, operated by leading international venue management Group, AEG Ogden, said he believed the key to maintaining such growth was to value existing clients and to further invest in research and source new events for Brisbane.
The Centre’s National Convention Sales Team chalked up a record 103 newly confirmed conventions in the Financial Year contributing an estimated $100 million into Queensland’s economy and delivering 64,600 delegates and some 233,395 room nights to Brisbane’s doorstep.
A broad spectrum of Queensland’s key sector strengths including the booming energy sector, education, health, finance, science, technology and the environment have been covered by the newly confirmed conferences.
The new line-up of national conventions heading to Brisbane includes:
• Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference Week 2011 – 2,500 delegates
• Energy Network 2012 – 1,500 delegates
• Australian & New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society Annual Scientific Meeting 2012 – 250 delegates
• Financial Services Council National Conference 2013 – 700 delegates
• APPEA (Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Conference and Exhibition) 2013 – 2,500 delegates
• Australian Gastroenterology Week 2016 – 2,500 delegates
Chief Executive Officer of the Gastroenterology Society of Australia (GESA) Elaine Siggins said bringing the conference to Brisbane provided delegates with access to the city’s strong academic and scientific capabilities in this area. “Brisbane plays a leading role and has strong research strengths in the field”, she said.
Elaine also mentioned the strong working relationship that had developed between the Society and the Centre over the past years, which she said ‘cuts my preparation time in half.’ “Seeing BCEC on the events calendar was now greeted with a sigh of relief. It was almost a feeling of coming home.”
APPEA’s director of events, Julie Hood said Brisbane’s ranking as the emerging energy hub for Australia and the outstanding success of the Association’s 2010 event held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre were deciding factors in the event returning in 2013. “The overall success of the conference was excellent – the destination and venue provided great value for money and enabled us to stage an extremely professional event.”
Centre General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe said that the Centre’s strong performance in the national market was also influenced by the new product offering of BCEC on Grey Street, due for completion later this year. “The Centre’s five level boutique expansion of its convention facilities and the burgeoning strength of Brisbane’s appeal as a leading business destination and reputation as a city renowned for its innovation and industry strengths, are also contributing factors.
“These events as a whole will generate enormous benefit for Brisbane both financially and through the investment of knowledge and expertise,” he said.
The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Team works closely with Brisbane Marketing and other industry partners in attracting national business events to Brisbane.
To visit the centre’s website for more information click here.
