BCEC Performs Strongly Securing 140 New Conventions for Brisbane

September 21, 2016

In an increasingly competitive environment, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre continues to perform strongly, securing 140 new conventions for Brisbane during the 2015/16 Financial Year.

International specialists in immunology, world trauma, wound management, drug resistant infections and vertebrate palaeontology are among those who will head to Brisbane as a result of the 140 strong line-up of conference wins by BCEC and its convention partners over the last 12 months.

More than 71,235 delegates from Australia and across the globe will deliver some 256,000 hotel room nights for the city generating $143 million in economic benefit to Brisbane and Queensland.

The scientific, medical and healthcare sectors along with education, engineering and aviation dominate a stellar list of conventions which demonstrate Brisbane’s strengths in these key sectors.

The value of securing these conferences for Brisbane is measured not only in economic terms but in the knowledge value and expertise shared by the world’s best and brightest.

Leading the list of recent international bid wins for Brisbane was Routes Asia 2018, Asia’s leading aviation route development forum.  

Bringing together a range of airlines, including some of the largest carriers from the Asian region as well as airports and tourism authorities, Routes Asia 2018 is expected to impact both by showcasing Queensland’s aviation and tourism industries, and on the future growth and development of Brisbane as a destination.

Securing this influential three day event for Brisbane was a united team effort with a consortium of tourism advocates and business events leaders including Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), Brisbane Marketing, Tourism and Events Queensland, Queensland Trade and Investment Queensland, combining forces to deliver what is being hailed as very significant opportunities in aviation and travel.

BAC CEO and Managing Director, Julieanne Alroe said it was an honour for Brisbane to be chosen to host what is the largest and most important route development event for aviation based companies conducting business to, from and within Asia. “It is a reflection of Brisbane and Queensland’s growing importance and profile that it has been chosen for this event,” she said.

BCEC General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe said the Centre’s long term partnerships and close collaboration with Brisbane’s research, scientific and business communities, through its very successful Convention Advocates Partnership play a significant influencing role in continuing to attract high calibre conferences to Brisbane.

“The economic, knowledge sharing, investment and tourism benefits of hosting such events represent enormous value to Brisbane and to Queensland well into the future.”

The AEG Ogden managed Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre announced a record year for its signature Convention Advocates Partnership Program which has delivered an economic boost to Queensland of $90.7 million since its inception six years ago.

Mr O’Keeffe said BCEC would continue to invest in research and in retaining conference representatives in key overseas countries to grow Queensland’s share of the international convention market.

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, ranked World’s #1 Convention Centre is heading into a busy final quarter of the year with 43 conventions scheduled.

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact