Hundreds of thousands of delegates will descend on Brisbane this year, with the city’s Convention Bureau, Brisbane Economic Development Agency, delivering $90 million in economic activity for the city through the jam-packed business events calendar.

Travelling from across Australia and the world, delegates are set to fill hotels and restaurants while boosting the city’s reputation as a global business events destination.

The return of international conferences is driving the boom, with several high-profile health and science events set for Brisbane, including the world’s largest HIV science conference, the International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the strong interest from international event organisers demonstrates Brisbane’s growing reputation as a must-do destination.

“Brisbane is already regarded as Australia’s lifestyle capital and now our reputation as a great place to stage big events is evolving rapidly,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Our city already has a great range of precincts to visit like South Bank and Howard Smith Wharves and we’re adding to this through a $14 billion pipeline of city-shaping projects.

“Without a doubt, Brisbane’s status as the future host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a big part of the reason why so many event organisers are now turning to our city.

“This is great news for our economy as we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrates the benefits that will flow in the years between now and 2032.”

Anthony Ryan, CEO of Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), said the return of international travel was helping the sector rebound.

“We are excited to welcome more international visitors back to Brisbane this year with a high portion of conferences attracting delegates from overseas,” Mr Ryan said.

“Brisbane is a world leader in science, health, technology, agriculture and sustainability which makes our city an attractive destination for the brightest minds in the world to come together.

“In July, Brisbane will host the world’s largest HIV science conference, the 12^th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science.

“Attracting and securing conferences is a key part of the work we do as the city’s Convention Bureau, and with key industry partners such as Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“With an international spotlight on Brisbane, we will continue working closely with our industry partners, suppliers and all levels of government to leverage our city’s unstoppable momentum.”

Key business events in 2023:

• Brisbane Truck Show, economic benefit of $27 million with 30,000 delegates (18 – 21 May 2023)
• International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science, economic benefit of $12 million with 6,000 delegates (23 – 26 July 2023)
• FIP World Congress of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Services, economic benefit of $7 million with 2,500 delegates (24 – 28 September 2023)
• World Mining Congress, economic benefit of $5 million with 2,000 delegates (26 – 29 June 2023)
• Asia Oceania Otorhinolaryngological Head and Neck Surgery Congress, economic benefit of $4.5 million with 1,500 delegates (8 – 12 March 2023)
• Annual Scientific Meeting for the Society of Reproductive Investigation, economic benefit of $2.5 million with 1,000 delegates (21 – 23 March 2023)