From major sporting headliners to blockbuster cultural spectacles Brisbane’s packed event calendar highlights the city’s credentials in hosting world-class events. And with interstate and international borders open, confidence is returning for event organisers and business leaders keen to reconnect, learn, and share face-to-face once more.

More than 90 events to come in 2023-2026  

Brisbane has cemented its place on the global map with a green and gold runway of investment flowing for major infrastructure projects to complement the city’s first-rate events, hospitality venues and enviable lifestyle.  

More than 90 business events are locked in from 2023-2026 and are set to attract 76,000 delegates and over 368,500 delegate days to the city.  

Brisbane has also recently secured several significant future international events including the World Conference on Timber Engineering 2025, IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium 2025, International Federation of Surveyors Working Week 2025 and the International Population Conference 2025.  

Many international events postponed during the pandemic are now rescheduled to 2023-2024 when events and international delegate numbers are tipped to return to 2019 levels.  

Face to face events back in demand 

After years of enduring mostly virtual events, business leaders are ready for a return to face-to-face connections.   

Business Events Australia research from February 2022 found 55 per cent of corporate decision-makers are already planning face-to-face events, 67 per cent are planning Australian events in the next six to 12 months and 74 per cent are planning local events in the next 12 to 24 months.  

The opening of the international borders in March has built further momentum for international events to return with strong interest from Europe and North America.  

A key acquisition for Brisbane’s events calendar was the world’s most influential conference on population – the International Population Conference – to bring 2000 experts to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in 2025.  

BCEC General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe AM said it would be a showcase event for Queensland and Australia’s population research.  

“A return to Business Events is vital for the Queensland economy and as we navigate a more positive post-pandemic landscape this major win for Brisbane represents an appetite for face-to-face meetings to return in strength,’’ he said.  

A venue for every business event  

Confidence is brimming in the city’s credentials as a leading business events destination with $15 billion worth of infrastructure in the pipeline, including light rail network Brisbane Metro and Cross River Rail’s twin train tunnels.   

The city is also investing in a redevelopment of Victoria Park as a public green space, while the Queen’s Wharf riverfront resort, entertainment, retail and residential development will reimagine Brisbane’s CBD, and include new business event space capacity. 

This confidence and investment are attracting a wave of interstate migration, positioning Brisbane as Australia’s fastest-growing capital city in addition to its reputation as the most liveable.  

More than 20 new luxury hotels have opened in the city in recent years and its lifestyle precincts like Howard Smith Wharves, Fish Lane and James Street have firmly cemented themselves as must-visit destinations for five-star dining, fashion and entertainment.  

The friendly climate and vibrant cultural offerings ensure there’s plenty more for delegates to enjoy outside the conference centres.  

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the combination of an economy bouncing back from the pandemic and Brisbane’s status as a future Olympic city has ensured it is well-positioned to become a top events destination.  

“Organisers wanting to take advantage of world-class facilities, a vibrant dining scene, a warm climate and brilliant natural environment for their delegates need look no further than Brisbane as their next host city,’’ he said.  

It’s clear that when it comes to events, there’s plenty to love about Brisbane.  

Want to know more?  

Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s business events team can help you to bring your event to Brisbane.   

To learn more, click here or email [email protected].