3000 liver specialists converged on the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) this week for a conference worth an estimated $7.2 million to the Brisbane economy.

Delegates of The Asian Pacific Association for The Study of the Liver (APASL) came from across the globe to deliberate on improved health care outcomes for people with liver disease.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said, “A conference like APASL 2014 is yet another indication that Brisbane is considered as an important hub in the medical and life sciences research sphere – the BCEC and Brisbane will also host The International Conference for Tropical Medicine and Malaria in 2016 which is set to attract 3000 delegates and estimated to bring $9 million into the economy.”

Brisbane Marketing chief executive officer John Aitken said, “As Australia’s new world city, Brisbane boasts an innovative and globally-connected business environment, and events like APASL 2014 and the G20 will really put Brisbane on the map in 2014.”

BCEC general manager Bob O’Keeffe said, “An event like APASL 2014 is hugely advantageous to the city of Brisbane economically and allows us to showcase our venue for the world-class unique event space that it is.”