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CONTENTS 03 Lord Mayor’s Foreword 04 Brisbane – Australia’s new world city 06 G20 Leaders Summit heads to Brisbane in 2014 07 Brisbane’s Industry Strengths 08 Energy and resources 09 Digital Industries and Information Communication Technology 10 Environmental sustainability 11 Health and life sciences 13 How Brisbane Convention Bureau can help 16 State-of-the-Art Business Events Infrastructure 18 Brisbane - A Welcoming City 02 LORD MAYOR’S FOREWORD

Brisbane has year on year, meaning that event to becoming carbon neutral rapidly grown organisers will have even more by 2026. in status as choice to help them plan their a destination next event in the city. Drawing on these city strengths, of choice for the Brisbane Convention Bureau, international Alongside this growth, Brisbane, which is part of Brisbane’s business Australia’s new world city has economic development board events, and continued to evolve into a Brisbane Marketing, is committed being selected to host the G20 forward-thinking destination to attracting conferences and which is powered by innovation, Leaders Summit in 2014 is a business events to Brisbane. ringing endorsement of the collaboration and opportunity. state-of-the-art venues and event To keep up with the exciting Energy and resources, services on offer. developments in the city, the environmental sustainability, Brisbane Convention Bureau Brisbane’s ability to health and life sciences, continues to build on the support accommodate business events digital industries and information it can offer event organisers and of all sizes is a reflection of the communication technology are this year will launch a range of city’s unprecedented growth continually growing areas across the board. of strength for Brisbane. new initiatives to make doing business in our city as effortless The city’s economy is building And it isn’t just our industries as possible. strongly and is currently worth that excel. Brisbane was $AUD114 billion and expected to recently ranked in the top All of this offers a compelling reach $AUD215 billion by 2031. seven most liveable cities in case for bringing your next the world at the prestigious conference to Brisbane, and we Brisbane’s business events sector, Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize; look forward to welcoming you. which grew by 25 percent in and through the Brisbane City the 2011/12 financial year is also Council’s Green Heart CitySmart Graham Quirk expected to continue this growth initiative, Brisbane is on its way Brisbane Lord Mayor

Choose Brisbane, Australia 03 BRISBANE – AUSTRALIA’S NEW WORLD CITY Growing Brisbane is well on track to become one of the world’s most Brisbane, Australia’s third prosperous new world cities: largest city has strong business globally-focussed, digitally- and cultural connections with networked and strategically the Asia Pacific, and a young, planned around lifestyle and skilled, well-educated and environmental needs. culturally diverse population of more than two million. Brisbane Ideally located offers an open, enterprising and progressive business Brisbane enjoys the closest environment with a strong proximity to Asia of any east culture of confidence and coast Australian capital city. innovation, providing the perfect At just under eight hours flight location for your most successful away, it is the ideal conference conference ever. destination for planners wishing to maximise opportunities arising from close access to Asia’s tiger economies such as Fast Facts increased delegate attendance and sponsorship and According to the World exhibition support. Winning Cities 2012 Report produced by Invaluable connections international property specialist, Jones Lang Brisbane hosts the biennial Asia Lasalle, Brisbane will Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) on rank first out of the every second rotation and has top 20 fastest growing done so since its inception in economies of the mature 1996. The Summit’s key objective world by 2020. is to promote business growth,

“I am drawn to Brisbane as a source of talent, innovation, and opportunity. Brisbane is home to industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to renewable Brisbane 2031 Vision energy, agriculture to information technology. It is home to top-notch research centres and a diverse, well-educated workforce; and it bats well • 1.5 million jobs above its average in generating jobs for and Australia. All told, • $AUD215 billion economy Australia’s ‘new world city’ is fast becoming a key gateway for companies like Dow to do business in Asia and beyond.” • $AUD75 thousand per capita income. Andrew Liveris 04 President, Chairman and Chief Executive, The Dow Chemical Group trade, investment and economic reputation as a leader in research. outcomes for cities in the Asia Many global knowledge-leaders Pacific region and beyond. call Brisbane home and ground- Brisbane’s active involvement breaking discoveries such as Sister City Networks in the Summit ensures the Professor Ian Frazer’s Brisbane has Sister City city’s Asia Pacific relationships cervical cancer vaccine have relationships with: continue to flourish and provide emerged out of Brisbane’s conference planners with universities and its research and • Shenzhen and Chongqing, China invaluable contacts and excellent development community. • Kaohsiung, Taiwan promotional opportunities. • Kobe, Japan The city has three internationally • Daejeon, Korea Perfect timing recognised universities: • Semarang, Indonesia Brisbane’s location enables an 1. The University of • Auckland, New Zealand extended work day across three Queensland (UQ) - ranks • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates first among its peers for international time zones, allowing • Hyderabad, India delegates to contact their offices license income, value of equity holdings and These long standing and families in real time. Many invention disclosures and relationships provide: Asian cities are just two to three active start-up companies hours behind Brisbane, enabling • Access to an extensive network all-day contact. It is also easy to 2. Queensland University of of sister city contacts including Technology (QUT) – is neighbouring cities for congress tap into the end of the American promotion and marketing business day and the opening of a leader in the innovative the European one, all from one areas of research • Connections with key Asian connected location. and development markets to target speakers, delegates, exhibitors, sponsors 3. Griffith University- and membership opportunities World-class thinking revered for its world for conferences and associations and education class research centres and breaking new • Strong cultural understanding of ground in the fields of these cities and the Asia Pacific Brisbane is innovative and health, environment and region as well as access to many enterprising and has developed a social sciences. native speakers

“CIEAM hosted the 5th World Congress on Engineering Asset Management here at the Convention Centre in 2010. By hosting the event, CIEAM has positioned itself and profiled itself as a hub for international R&D in the area of engineering asset management. We’re now on the map, and all our international delegates rave about the time that they had in Brisbane.”

Joe Mathew Chief Executive Officer, Cooperative Research Centre for Infrastructure and Engineering Asset Management (CIEAM) - based at QUT Choose Brisbane, Australia 05 G20 Leaders Summit Heads to Brisbane in 2014 Brisbane’s selection as the host city for the G20 Leaders Summit in November 2014 underlines its reputation as a world-class meetings destination. The G20 is the premier event for international economic cooperation and decision-making among the major economies of the world, with members from 19 countries plus the European Union. It will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), with more than 4,000 delegates in attendance including many of the world’s leaders, as well as 2,500 media and will place Brisbane even more firmly upon the world stage.

“The fact that Brisbane will host the G20 Leaders Summit in 2014 is a positive reflection on the world-class venues and event services we have on offer in Australia’s new world city.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor

06 Brisbane’s Industry Strengths Brisbane is a leader in many industry sectors including: • energy and resources • environmental sustainability Fast Facts • health and life sciences Our industry strengths can construction • greatly enhance conferences and infrastructure by providing: • advanced manufacturing and logistics • potential local support for relevant conference bids • digital industries and information • a supply of locally-based communication technology conference speakers and expertise • food and agribusiness. • delegates to attend the event • assistance with delegate attraction and promotion via industry networks • scope for technical tours and site visits • a source of potential sponsors for conferences • exhibitors for associated trade exhibitions.

Choose Brisbane, Australia 07 Energy and resources Who’s been?

Queensland’s resources sector • 34th International Research Centre is currently valued at $AUD25 Geological Congress 2012 billion with more than 170 of Brisbane is home to the • Mining 2012 the world’s leading mining CSIRO’s Queensland Centre Resources Convention companies located in the CBD for Advanced Technologies, including Rio Tinto (HO for Coal), Who’s coming? a world-class research and GE Mining (Global HQ) and Vale development precinct providing (Global coal HQ). Growth in 2013 Society of the highest standard of science, • mining technology and services, Petroleum Engineers (SPE) engineering and innovation the coal seam gas and liquefied Unconventional to the Australian mining, natural gas supply chains, clean Resources Congress exploration, minerals processing technologies and renewable and manufacturing industries. • Developing Unconventional energy mean that Brisbane will Gas (DUG) Australia 2013 continue to be at the forefront. • Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA) 2013, 2016 • 2013 Asia Oceania Geosciences Society

“Brisbane is a prime location for innovation. The city is the corporate headquarters for our coal, aluminium, alumina and bauxite operations in Australia, as well as technology, innovation and business functions. We have a key research partnership with the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre at the University of Queensland, as well as a relationship with UQ Business School.”

John McGagh Head of Innovation, Rio Tinto

08 Digital industries and Information Communication Technology 34th International Geological Congress 2012 Brisbane has emerged as a leader in innovative and • Brisbane hosted more than knowledge-based industries 6,000 delegates from and has a clear digital strategy 112 countries to be amongst the world’s best. Twenty-five ‘Digital Champion’ • The Congress is considered companies have been identified the world’s pre-eminent in Brisbane who showcase the geosciences congress, and digital readiness and capability of is one of the longest running the city. conferences in the world • Held at the award winning Many influential multinational Brisbane Convention & information communication Exhibition Centre technology companies are based in Brisbane including IBM, Red • Included 3,232 oral Hat and SAP. The city is also presentations and 1,469 poster attracting an ever-increasing presentations covering the number of specialists such full range of contemporary as mining software engineers geoscience issues Ventyx, data technologists • Held five Plenary Sessions NEXTDC and games developers and attracted world- like Half Brick Studios. class presenters including Professor Iain Stewart, the Who’s been? renowned geologist and World Computer celebrity scientist • Congress 2010 • 2012 World Congress on Computational Intelligence

“(IGC was an) excellent and productive event with its strong scientific program and large number of symposia in the setting of the magnificent Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and the relaxing hospitality of the city of Brisbane.”

President Professor Alberto C. Riccardi International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)

Choose Brisbane, Australia 09 Environmental Brisbane’s sustainability is the first community in Australia to be recognised for Brisbane is home to Australia’s its sustainability credentials first Ecosciences Precinct, awarded through EC3 Global’s dedicated to solving some of the EarthCheck Certified Program. country’s biggest environmental South Bank is one of only issues. Its research positions four EarthCheck Certified Brisbane as a global leader in communities in the world. finding the balance between quality of life, lessening the Who’s coming? impact on the native environment Riversymposium 2013 and developing strong industries. • Climate change, mineral and • IWA World petroleum resources, water Water Congress issues and environmental balance are priority research areas.

Brisbane has also initiated a number of cutting-edge environmental initiatives including the international IWA World Riversymposium, a world- Water Congress renowned annual conference that takes a holistic approach Brisbane will host the world’s to river and water management. largest international meeting for The Riversymposium is the water practitioners and researchers: flagship event of the Brisbane- based International WaterCentre, • Expected to attract 3,000 a joint venture of four leading international delegates Australian universities including To be held at the award the University of Queensland and • winning Brisbane Convention Griffith University. & Exhibition Centre • Opportunity to showcase Brisbane’s world standard research and water management and water “The IWA World Water Congress is, without a doubt, the largest conservation practices meeting of water researchers and practitioners anywhere in the world. The selection of Brisbane to host the 2016 Congress recognises • Won with the support the leading edge work that has been done in water management in of ‘Team Brisbane’ a Queensland and across Australia in recent times.” collaboration of the city’s industry, government and Mark Pascoe university partners. Chief Executive Officer, International WaterCentre 10 Translational Research Institute (TRI) • The new $AUD354 million TRI will bring together four of the Health and life sciences Other leading Brisbane research country’s pinnacle research facilities facilities include: – The University of Queensland’s Brisbane is acknowledged as Diamantina Institute, Queensland a centre of excellence in bio- • The Australian Institute University of Technology’s medical, biopharmaceutical and for Bio-engineering Biomedical Innovation, Mater Medical Research Institute and the human therapeutics, diagnostics and Nanotechnology and clinical trials. It is home to Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Centre for Health Research the world-renowned Queensland • The Clive Berghofer Cancer Institute of Medical Research, Research Centre • The TRI is the vision of 2006 The Pharmacy Australia Centre Australian of the Year Professor Ian • The Eskitis Institute for Cell Frazer – world-renowned inventor of of Excellence and a first for & Molecular therapies the cervical cancer vaccine Australia, the Translational Research Institute which is the • The Institute for • First research centre in Australia vision of Professor Ian Frazer, Molecular Biology that allows biopharmaceuticals and treatments to be discovered, the scientist and researcher The Institute of Health and produced, clinically tested and who developed the world’s first • Biomedical Innovation manufactured in one location cervical cancer vaccine. Who’s been? Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) • International Child • One of Australia’s largest Neurology Congress 2012 and most respected medical research institutes • 2012 Clinical Oncological Society of Australia Annual • Over 1,200 scientists, students and Scientific Meeting support staff are based at QIMR • Located at the Herston medical • 2012 International Congress campus QIMR is ideally placed for of Psycho-Oncology clinical research collaborations and as a centre for research seminars Who’s coming? and symposia • 19th International Congress • QIMR is part of several international on Tropical Medicine and research consortiums including one Malaria 2016 funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) • The QCH will bring together the Royal Children’s Hospital and Mater Children’s Hospital with a focus on paediatric health “Brisbane has developed tremendous capacity for biomedical research • Located in South Bank, Brisbane, over the last 20 years. Brisbane is ideally focused to make use of its place this $AUD1.5 billion project is due in South-East Asia. We are an obvious jumping off point for new research for completion in late 2014 activities across the whole of the region and also much more easily • The QCH’s state-of-the-art accessible to and from the region than many other parts of the world.” technology will allow clinicians to provide services across Queensland Professor Ian Frazer Director, Translational Research Institute Choose Brisbane, Australia 11 12 How Brisbane convention bureau Can Help

A truly unique organisation The Brisbane Convention Bureau WIN your event: provides an effortless one-stop- The Brisbane Convention Bureau shop with free independent • bids and proposals is part of Brisbane’s economic advice and support services »» expert advice on all aspects development board to help you plan, promote and Brisbane Marketing. of the bidding process from stage your most successful event, opportunity through to final Unique in Australia for its making it easy to: decision corporate structure, Brisbane HOST your event: »» assistance preparing bid Marketing is a wholly-owned presentations and lobbying subsidiary of Brisbane City Bidding for the right to host activities Council, Australia’s largest a national or international municipal council. It includes »» assistance sourcing conference provides an excellent Brisbane’s Convention Bureau competitive quotes for your opportunity to showcase your event as well as the city’s tourism and work and boost your profile major events agency, investment »» assistance to secure on a local, national and attraction, CBD retail and export bid support from relevant international level. divisions all under one roof. organisations The Brisbane Convention Bureau »» a detailed bid submission or Such cohesion enables actively encourages and supports tailor-made proposal can be conference planners to access hosts wishing to bring an prepared to the 80-strong team’s invaluable event to Brisbane. help bring your event expertise and broad networks to Brisbane of contacts, whether in Partner with the Brisbane »» undertake a tailor-made business, industry, government Convention Bureau to develop site inspection to assist in or academia. Brisbane your bid strategy, budget and decision-making Marketing can arrange the right proposal. The Bureau will assist »» assistance in developing introductions to the right people, to obtain support and activate every time. conference promotion your winning bid. The perfect and delegate attraction partnership. strategies to ensure your event is a success • sourcing potential funding »» Brisbane Marketing can assist with liaison across state and local government authorities and departments to identify potential funding assistance for eligible conference events.

Choose Brisbane, Australia 13 PLAN your event: PROMOTE your event: • advice and information Brisbane Marketing is able to assist with attracting the »» tap into local knowledge to source the right maximum number of delegates venue, accommodation to your conference via a range of options and social innovative promotional tools and program ideas support services. The easy one- stop online Convention Support »» access an extensive Toolkit gives organisers access to network of connections a wide range of event planning with government, tools. These include marketing industry and business collateral templates and images, a comprehensive copy library, »» a membership of more touring ideas, and Brisbane than 150 ensures there mobile apps. is a professional supplier for every single aspect STAGE your event: of your event – be introduced to Team Brisbane – the city has a Team Brisbane genuine spirit of partnership and undertakes a collaborative, city- »» access Australia’s wide approach to ensure your first online interactive Brisbane event is the best ever. Brisbane Event Planner A unified team of business event guide to effortlessly suppliers, whether venues, hotels, browse and shortlist services or tour operators, want venues, accommodation the very best outcomes for your and event services event and will liaise closely to »» participate in ensure that happens. familiarisations developed for event Onsite support includes the planners to gain a provision of Brisbane visitor first-hand experience guides and maps, pull-up of Brisbane. banners and a complimentary visitor information and booking • request for proposal (RFP) service desk can be set up onsite at your conference, to maximise your »» For the fastest way to delegates’ destination Brisbane find the preliminary experiences. Special travel and information you require, transport offers can be arranged upload your event and pre and post touring details and criteria onto itineraries prepared. the online form and be perfectly matched to all the right suppliers

14 Choose Brisbane, Australia 15 State-of-the-Art Business Events Infrastructure Brisbane is a compact and Royal International Other inspiring and unusual convenient city where the Convention Centre venues and locations include: majority of venues and accommodation are within easy Brisbane’s newest convention - one of walking distance or at most, centre is the $AUD59 million Queensland’s most significant a brief transfer, making event Royal International Convention heritage and cultural icons, it timing and transport a breeze. Centre (RICC). The centre, which offers 12 function spaces. It has has capacity for up to 3,000, recently undergone an $AUD215 Two purpose-built international forms Stage One of an $AUD2.9 million restoration and upgrade. convention centres, extensive billion regeneration of the 22 hotel meeting spaces and a hectare RNA Showgrounds, South Bank - the premier leisure, range of intimate and unique a famous Queensland social education and cultural precinct venues are found throughout heritage and cultural landmark of Brisbane which includes the city. located just 1.6km from spectacular parklands, lagoons Brisbane’s city centre. Across two and the only man-made inner Brisbane Convention & levels, the centre has 7,700m2 of city beach in Australia. It is also Exhibition Centre exhibition space which fronts an home to the BCEC and the city’s 1,800m2 landscaped area known main cultural precinct. The Brisbane Convention & as Ekka Plaza. It offers three Exhibition Centre (BCEC) is flexible halls, seven meeting Brisbane Powerhouse – one of located in the area known as rooms and two board rooms. Brisbane’s leading contemporary South Bank, the city’s urban multi-arts, dining and conference cultural and entertainment venues. It has been created precinct and also one of its key within an historic powerhouse dining districts. situated on the banks of the . Australia’s most awarded venue and officially rated among the world’s top three convention centres on three separate occasions, the BCEC offers choice and flexibility for events from eight to 8,000. With a total of 44 meeting rooms, the BCEC is the only convention centre in Australia with three stand- alone tiered plenary halls. The expanded boutique facilities of BCEC on Grey Street were developed to address increased demand for smaller and medium sized meeting venues.

16 Brisbane is very accommodating Accommodation ranges from five star hotels through to more cost- conscious options and includes international hotel brands such as Rydges, Sofitel, Marriott, Hilton, Novotel and Stamford Plaza. The city also has a number of award- winning boutique properties including Emporium, Limes and Spicers Balfour and many self- contained apartments. Hotel development plans for the future include a new 246-room Four Points by Sheraton hotel and in Fortitude Valley, Mosaic Grand Chifley Brisbane will add another 48 rooms to Brisbane’s room stock. Meanwhile, the redevelopment of the former Fast Facts Chifley at Lennons Hotelwill create a 300-room newly Brisbane has more than branded Next Hotels & Resorts 13,000 hotel rooms with hotel. The former Holiday Inn at a number of significant Roma Street has also recently new developments in been rebranded as Traders Hotel the pipeline. following the acquisition of the property by the Shangri-La Group.

Choose Brisbane, Australia 17 Brisbane - a welcoming city Warm and friendly arts, culture, wining and dining, heritage, architecture, sites A relaxed casual river city, and attractions. Brisbane is unpretentious and has an easy-going attitude. Accessible About 500km south of the Tropic of Capricorn, its sub- is consistently tropical climate presents a warm recognised as Australia’s best and welcoming destination airport for quality and service. throughout the year with an It offers 289 direct international extensive range of pre and post flights per week to more than touring opportunities that 29 international destinations will enhance strong including connection hubs Hong conference attendance. Kong, Singapore, Guangzhou, Bangkok, Los Angeles and Dubai. Brisbane’s great outdoor lifestyle, An extensive air network to 44 al fresco cafés and restaurants, domestic destinations provides array of trendy laneways and connections to every corner village precincts provide creative of Australia. options for social programs; and give delegates an opportunity to rest, refresh and connect before returning to their busy worlds. Fast Facts The Brisbane Greeters Program Brisbane was ranked ensures visitors feel welcome at among the top seven every step. Free tours through most liveable cities in the the city are available for small world at the prestigious groups. Visitors can tap into Lee Kuan Yew World City a local’s inside knowledge on Prize in 2012.

“The wonderful thing about Brisbane is you fly to the Brisbane Airport, you can either get on a train or in a taxi, and you’re in the centre within 20 minutes. There’s not too many international cities that actually offer that simplicity anymore.”

Michelle Trute Chief Executive Officer - Diabetes Australia (QLD)

18 The airport is an easy 20 minute Cultural events held in Brisbane performing arts of the transfer to the city centre by rail also reflect its close relationship Australasian/South-East or road. The city’s integrated with the Asia Pacific region: Asian Region. public transport system includes CityCat river ferries, buses and • The Asia Pacific Triennial of Indigenous culture trains providing CBD-wide Contemporary Art (APT), transport and CityCycles for held at QAG|GoMA every Brisbane has an ancient those who like their transport three years, is the only Indigenous culture and and exercise combined. major exhibition series to elements can be woven focus exclusively on the throughout your conference Sophisticated and cultured contemporary art of Asia, program, from branding the Pacific and Australia. of collateral through to special welcome ceremonies, Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct at The Asia Pacific Screen • performances and social Academy (APSA), South Bank, adjacent to the activities such as visiting the headquartered in Brisbane, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition city’s impressive Aboriginal hosts the annual Asia Centre (BCEC) includes the art collections. , the Pacific Screen Awards, the Queensland Performing Arts region’s highest accolade Centre (QPAC), the State Library in film. of Queensland (slq) and the • The world-class Australian (QAG) Performing Arts Market and Gallery of Modern Art (APAM) to be held at the (GoMA). These venues present Brisbane Powerhouse Air Access Facts a selection of event spaces for in 2014, 2016 and 2018, conference planners to consider. is a biennial performing • Brisbane Airport operates arts market for artists 24 hours, 7 days per week The galleries have played host and programers from • Planned $AUD1.3 billion expansion to a number of major Australia and around the • Directly services 29 international exhibitions, many of them world. The market will and 44 domestic destinations Australian, Asia Pacific or run alongside the World • 21 million passengers travelled world exclusives. Theatre Festival, a curated program dedicated to the through Brisbane Airport in 2012 • Direct Airtrain access to the city

“Brisbane is an amazingly, lively, go-for-it city. Its cultural and intellectual capital are second to none. Either in Australia or frankly many other places in the world.”

Margaret Manning, Chief Executive, Reading Room

Choose Brisbane, Australia 19 On our doorstep

There is an amazing array of leisure experiences to enhance any conference program, with beautiful beaches, islands and rainforests all within a one hour drive from the city.

From bridge climbing and river kayaking in the heart of the city, koala cuddling at the world’s largest koala sanctuary, or whale watching and wild dolphin feeding on the beautiful bayside – activities abound for social and partner programs or pre and post touring.

A corporate socially- responsible city

Brisbane is a clean and green city with a strong commitment to the environment. Through the Brisbane City Council’s Green Heart CitySmart initiative, it is working to become carbon neutral by 2026. Brisbane Marketing’s members and partners undertake a range of socially-responsible initiatives through which conferences leave a small footprint and a positive legacy as a result of being held in Brisbane.

20 Choose Brisbane, Australia 21 meetinbrisbane.com.au Brisbane Marketing Level 8, Roy Harvey House 157 Ann Street Brisbane, Queensland 4000

PO Box 12260 George Street Brisbane, Queensland 4003 T: +61 7 3006 6200 F: +61 7 3006 6250 E: [email protected]