BCEC reveals strong start to 2021

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.