BEDA’s $1 billion boost

As the city’s key driver of investment, business growth, visitation and events, BEDA delivered over $1 billion in economic activity for Brisbane in 2023–24. The extraordinary billion-dollar boost was the result of a big financial year for BEDA, which also saw the agency support 10,200 full-time jobs and create 860 new jobs. Read the full story here.

Unlocking Brisbane’s $275 billion future

In May, BEDA and the Better Brisbane Alliance launched the first-ever State of the City Report, powered by Deloitte Access Economics research.

This forward-looking report was designed to highlight Brisbane’s unstoppable momentum and potential, showcasing why the city is a prime destination for investment. It revealed that Brisbane’s economy is set to grow by an impressive 68%, reaching $275 billion by 2041, with six key growth sectors leading the way: health, property and construction, transport and logistics, advanced manufacturing, professional services, and the experience economy.

The findings were shared with hundreds of business leaders at an industry event at the Fortitude Music Hall, rallying city-wide enthusiasm to drive even greater investment opportunities for Brisbane’s future. Read the full report.

This year, BEDA’s investment and industry accelerator programs delivered millions in economic activity and supported thousands of jobs.

Industry accelerators seed global success

BEDA’s Global MedTech Initiative generated $68 million in FY 2023–24, helping 10 early-stage healthcare companies to fast-track industry connections and attract investment.

Highlights included two-BEDA led investment missions to the United States, including JP Morgan Healthcare Week in San Francisco where Brisbane MedTech businesses Convergence Medical and Gelomics won silver and bronze at the conference’s investor pitch challenge.

BEDA’s Future Food Initiative, now in its seventh year, created $200 million in economic activity in FY 2023-24. Eleven local businesses joined the Global Accelerator program, with a standout mission to Food and Hotel Asia 2024 in Singapore.

These initiatives are putting Brisbane industries on the global map and fuelling local growth.

Celebrating entrepreneurial success

Eleven Brisbane businesses and entrepreneurs were recognised at the 2024 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards for shaping the city’s future through education, sustainability, energy and technology.

Meanwhile, the Women in Business program returned in 2024, with 53 women-owned businesses sharing in $250,000 worth of grants for training, vital equipment, and professional services to help them grow. Meet the winners.

Fuelling “Brand Brisbane”

Brisbane’s popularity as a must-visit global destination soared, with the city attracting record-breaking $10.7 billion in overnight visitor expenditure.

BEDA’s destination marketing campaigns played a key role in driving visitation from both domestic and international markets. A standout was the Brisbane Favours the Bold campaign, which redefined perceptions of the city for interstate visitors. The campaign reached over 20 million people and delivered more than $70 million in potential economic activity.

Brisbane’s global appeal was further cemented when it became the only Australian city featured in The New York Times’ "52 Places to Go in 2024," thanks in part to BEDA’s international media outreach.

Throughout the year, BEDA showcased Brisbane at tourism trade events in five countries, connecting with over 800 distribution partners to promote the city as a top leisure destination.

BEDA’s strategic partnership with Brisbane Airport Corporation continued to strengthen international tourism and aviation. Through the joint Enhanced Destination Marketing Program, Brisbane targeted key markets in North America and South East Asia, driving inbound visitor growth and boosting the city’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Enhancing local tourism

Brisbane’s tourism industry thrived in 2024, supported by key BEDA programs including the Brisbane Welcomes You, Accessibility Training Initiatives, the Tourism Trade Ready Program and the Brisbane Concierge Training Program. Learn more about our tourism programs.

The Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre welcomed over 41,000 visitors—nearly half of them international—earning silver for Best Visitor Information Centre and bronze for Best Volunteer Group at the Queensland Tourism Awards.

A vibrant city centre

BEDA played a key role in keeping Brisbane’s city centre buzzing with energy, ensuring Queen Street Mall remained Queensland’s top retail and workforce hub.

The annual Dine BNE City campaign returned for its fourth year, featuring 90 exclusive offers from over 50 top restaurants and bars. The campaign, which kicked off with the popular Fireside outdoor dining event, drew city workers and food lovers to experience Brisbane’s winter dining scene while supporting the local hospitality industry.

The festive season came alive with Christmas in Brisbane, featuring nightly parades, dazzling light displays, and refreshed decorations alongside holiday favourites.

Altogether, BEDA delivered and supported 724 events and 1,655 performances, bringing vibrancy and excitement to the heart of the city.

Celebrating a year of world-class events

In 2024, Brisbane cemented its status as a premier events destination, hosting a dynamic mix of sporting and cultural events that drew global audiences and delivered significant economic benefits.

With the support of BEDA and its partners, 45 major events came to life, generating over $200 million in economic activity and attracting more than 200,000 visitors from outside the region. These events not only showcased Brisbane’s dynamic energy but also reinforced its reputation as a thriving hub for culture and sport.

The year was packed with unforgettable moments, with highlights including:

• Brisbane International: Tennis fans flocked to see stars like Rafael Nadal in electrifying matches, with record-breaking attendance showcasing Brisbane’s love of sport.
• NRL Magic Round: Over four days, 148,000 fans packed Suncorp Stadium, generating $47.8 million for the local economy, with BEDA also securing hosting rights until 2027.
• ‘Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses’ at QAGOMA: QAGOMA’s cultural masterpiece dazzled visitors with a sensory journey through the groundbreaking designs of one of the world’s most visionary fashion creators.
• MELT Festival: Brisbane Powerhouse’s citywide celebration of queer arts and culture captivated audiences and spotlighted Brisbane’s creative spirit.
• Bluey’s World: The world-first immersive experience at Northshore Pavilion brought Brisbane’s beloved Bluey to life, delighting fans young and old.
• BMW Australian PGA Championship: Royal Queensland welcomed top golfers and fans to witness Elvis Smylie’s rise as a new champion in this premier event.

Building Brisbane’s business events pipeline

In 2024, BEDA, together with city partners, secured 72 new business events worth over $72.96 million, delivering 104,000 delegate days for events spanning 2024 to 2028.

In addition, BEDA supported the delivery of 95 business events held throughout the year including:

• Nu Skin China Incentive: The first large scale incentive to be held in Australia in the post pandemic era.
• Convention of Zonta International: welcoming 2,500 global advocates for women’s rights
• World Down Syndrome Congress: 1100 members of the global Down Syndrome community - families, advocates and professionals - gathered to celebrate diversity, inclusion and share friendship, experiences and best practise.
• ICMM World Congress on Military Medicine: showcasing advancements in global health to over 1,100 delegates.

Promoting Brisbane as a premier events destination, BEDA attended global trade shows like AIME and IMEX and hosted the Professional Conference Organisers Association Conference, the most attended in its history, showcasing Brisbane to over 500 event organisers.

Local industry professionals were also encouraged to grow Brisbane’s event footprint through the Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant, which provides up to $5,000 for recipients to attend international conferences, build networks, and secure future events for the city.

Collaboration Drives Brisbane’s Growth in 2024

Collaboration remained central to BEDA’s strategy in 2024 as Brisbane built momentum toward hosting the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Better Brisbane Alliance continued to drive investment, visitation, and events, leading initiatives like the State of the City Report.

BEDA also launched its new Partnership Roadmap, offering businesses fresh opportunities to collaborate and contribute to Brisbane’s journey to becoming a world-class global city.

BEDA and Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) announced a new partnership focused on accelerating economic and tourism growth across Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region.

The partnership will enable both regions to maximise resources and extend their reach through enhanced collaborative marketing activity, trade opportunities, and destination experiences tailored to attract domestic and international audiences.

New home for the Brisbane Business Hub

In 2024, the Brisbane Business Hub (BBH) relocated to a modern space at 260 Queen Street, offering businesses access to events, workshops, networking, mentoring, and 42 drop-in hot desks.

Since its launch in 2020, BBH has grown a community of over 69,000 online members, welcomed 34,000 visitors, and hosted more than 1,000 business support and training events. This year alone, the hub held 180 events and mentoring sessions, drawing over 9,000 business visitors through its doors.

The BBH continues to be a vital resource for Brisbane’s thriving business community.