BCEC reveals strong start to 2021

February 26, 2021

Events / Hospitality / Venues /

As one of the first Australian convention centres to reopen in 2020 following last year’s COVID-19 lockdown, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has continued its strong performance hosting increasing numbers of events into 2021.

The Centre finished the 2020 year having welcomed 60,000 guests attending 165 events following the Centre’s re-opening in August.

Since the beginning of February 2021, the Centre has hosted 33 events including exhibitions, conferences, corporate luncheons and graduations with more than 22,000 people through the doors in the first two weeks of the month.

The Pregnancy, Babies & Children’s Expo held in February, exceeded expectations yielding great visitation with more than 9,000 attendees, while organisers of a public sector conference held at the Centre last week were extremely happy with their event attracting 550 delegates.

A further 12,000 guests will attend events at the Centre this week, including the Business Chicks Breakfast with Julia Gilliard and The Brisbane Home Show.

This positive trend continues into March with five conferences, two exhibitions, sold out International Women’s Day events, graduation ceremonies, cocktail functions and dinners including the Keno & Clubs Queensland Awards for Excellence 2021. The Centre also looks forward to hosting Queensland Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Season opening night post-performance celebration.

In May, the Brisbane Southbank venue will welcome the return of The Brisbane Truck Show, one of Australia’s biggest exhibitions.

All events are conducted in accordance with BCEC’s Site Specific COVID Safe Plan approved by Queensland Health.

BCEC General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe welcomes the strong performance, stating “based on current bookings and the success of our February events, although not yet reaching event numbers of past years, we are cautiously optimistic that the industry is in the early stages of a post-COVID recovery and BCEC is one of the best placed venues in the country to take advantage of the improving business environment.”

If Brisbane’s bid to host the 2032 Olympics is successful, the venue will likely host a number of sporting events.

Images: BCEC hosts the AFL Grand Final Lunch (top) and the World of Drones and Robotics exhibition (below). Credit: BCEC.

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8th January 2021 - Live performance paused in Brisbane as Queensland Premier announces city-wide lockdown

7th December 2020 - Queensland Premier reaffirms commitment for 2032 Brisbane Olympics bid

6th November 2020 - EEAA welcomes clarification that exhibitions in NSW are able to restart immediately

29th October 2020 - Brisbane Showgrounds host return of Caravanning Queensland Event

20th October 2020 - AFL’s Gabba Grand Final to be played in front of 30,000 fans

20th October 2020 - Taronga Zoo marks National Water Week with exhibition in ‘Backyard to Bush’ education precinct

30th September 2020 - Upgraded Gabba prepares for AFL Grand Final

4th September 2020 - Queensland Government supports animal exhibitors through COVID-19 pandemic with $250,000 in grants

27th August 2020 - EEAA launches webinars to gain industry insight on the return of in-person exhibitions and business events

10th July 2020 - VenueShield protocols drive reopening of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

27th June 2020 - ASM Global releases operational plans for the reopening of its arenas, stadia, theatres and convention centres

10th June 2020 - Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre marks 25 years of operations

30th April 2020 - ASM Global to launch environmental hygiene program

31st January 2019 - BCEC General Manager appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia

4th July 2018 - Brisbane Convention Bureau delivers $96 million worth of conference business

19th September 2016 - BCEC secures 140 new conventions for Brisbane

23rd March 2016 - BCEC celebrates 20 years of successful events with a fresh new look

5th September 2014 - BCEC sets a cracking pace with convention wins for Brisbane

21st August 2014 - BCEC hosts world’s premier horticulture event

22nd May 2014 - BCEC judged Australia’s best venue

13th May 2014 - BCEC changes the agenda for a good cause

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