In a $1.1 million coup, Brisbane has outclassed Bangkok and Auckland to secure the rights to host the 10^th Asia-Pacific Intelligent Transport Systems Forum.

The Forum – to be held over three days and two nights in July 2009 – will attract more than 800 delegates to the Smart State capital and deliver an estimated economic benefit of $1,128,000.

Brisbane Marketing Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Regan said the bid win was a great coup for the city.

“In making the decision to come to Brisbane, Forum organisers took into account a full range of factors – Brisbane’s rising status as a hub for innovative technologies, research and development; the excellent facilities offered by the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre; the outstanding city infrastructure; and the wide variety of local options for pre and post touring and partner programs,” said Mr Regan.

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Australia is the only Australian organisation focused on facilitating the development and deployment of advanced transport technologies.

ITS Australia works with industry in the air, sea, road and rail sectors to promote a safer, more efficient, environmentally-friendly transport system for Australia .

Mr Colin Jensen, Past President of ITS Australia and Australian representative on the ITS Asia-Pacific Board of Directors commended Brisbane Marketing for its assistance in securing the Forum.

“Faced with stiff international competition, Brisbane Marketing displayed the highest levels of commitment and dedication to our bid,” said Mr Jensen.

“Their support was invaluable and helped convince the Board of the benefits of meeting in Australia .”

Brisbane Marketing Director of Business Development and AACB Vice President, Mr Paul Lewin said this latest bid win was further proof of Brisbane ’s credentials as an international business events destination.

“2009 is shaping up to be a big year for international conferences in the Queensland capital,” said Mr Lewin.

“In addition to the ITS Forum, the Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau has secured the 29^th International Symposium on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology; the 2009 Conference of the International Society for History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Biology; and the 53^rd Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Systems Sciences.”

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre General Manager, Mr Robert O’Keeffe said Brisbane and the Centre had enjoyed an unprecedented run of international convention bid wins in recent weeks and was confident the current trend would continue.

“The strong run of successful bid wins reflects the extent of the collaboration and team work on the part of the city,” said Mr O’Keeffe.

”The Centre works hard to maintain its leadership position in the international market place and we are delighted to add ITS Forum to the growing list of international and national events scheduled for Brisbane.”

To find out more about Brisbane conferences and the benefits of meeting in Brisbane contact the Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau on (07) 3006 6200, email conventionbureau@brisbanemarketing.com.au or visit www.meetinbrisbane.com