As part of the Tourism Industry Reference Panel’s Interim Action Plan, the Queensland Government has launched a $7 million program dedicated to attracting business events to the three state-owned convention centres, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Cairns Convention Centre and Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Queensland Government Convention and Exhibition Centre Economic Recovery Bid Support Program will boost the centres’ competitiveness in securing national conferences and bring business travellers back to Queensland.

The targeted financial support is designed to encourage more businesses to opt out of their zoom calls and meet face to face in Queensland.

Events can apply for financial assistance of $100 per delegate for maximum of 1,000 delegates with the opportunity for events to increase this to $120 per delegate if they do a multi-year deal.

The event eligibility criteria include:

• conferences must have a minimum of 350 delegates;
  • at least 50 per cent of delegates must be from outside Queensland;
  • events need to align with Queensland’s priority industry sectors; and
  • the events may qualify for multi-year support.

General Manager of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) Bob O’Keeffe AM welcomed the Queensland Government support, confirming the funding will have a significant flow on effect for thousands of jobs across the hospitality and tourism sectors.

“This targeted support package will drive confidence within the industry and accelerate the business events supply chain, boosting local businesses including Brisbane’s hotels, restaurants and many attractions and experiences.”

Adrienne Readings, General Manager Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre commented,

“This critical investment provides us with an excellent opportunity to attract valuable national business events to the State, stimulating the tourism sector and overall visitor economy for Queensland. The impacts are expected to be long term as the funding helps raise the profile of Queensland’s three State-owned convention centres.”

Janet Hamilton, General Manager Cairns Convention Centre believes the funding will provide the Cairns region and Queensland and added boost post Covid.

“Tropical North Queensland Tourism has been hit hard by COVID, boosting the business travel sector in Cairns will significantly help the region’s operators and fill the hotel rooms. This funding support program from the Queensland Government along with the recently completed refurbishment and the current expansion of the Cairns Convention Centre provides events the perfect opportunity to come to Cairns” added Hamilton.

Event organisers can find further information about the program by contacting the Centre’s Business Development teams