BCEC secures runner-up at World’s Best Convention Centre Award

The International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) has named the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre as runner-up World’s Best Convention Centre.

AIPC has previously named BCEC as World’s Best Convention Centre for 2016 – 2018. Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre is managed by leading international venue management specialists ASM Global. This latest accolade sees BCEC continuing to stay at the top of world rankings.

The coveted internationally recognised AIPC APEX Award, based solely on client evaluations, recognises achievement in high quality customer service and venue management.

The independently assessed survey found that eight in 10 clients rated their overall experience with Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) as ‘excellent’, with the Centre performing above the industry average for all key touchpoints.  

BCEC General Manager Bob O’Keeffe described the Award as an international benchmark for industry excellence and something the Centre strived for each and every day.

O’Keeffe notes “we would like to acknowledge our many loyal and long-term clients, and those who have steadfastly supported us through these past months during our recovery phase.

“This award is also recognition of the Centre’s dedicated and passionate team, and a true reflection of the Centre’s strong customer experience focus.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre would play an important role in the city’s economic recovery advising “Queensland’s reputation as a world class destination for major events is one reason our bid for the 2032 Olympic Games was so successful.

“The quality of our venues like Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is a strong selling point for Queensland.

“Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has done a great job hosting COVIDSafe events throughout the pandemic. This recognition is well deserved.

BCEC was the first convention centre in Australia to reopen following the COVID–19 pandemic, and has since hosted 280,000 guests at 480 events. That strong recovery was supported by strict health and safety guidelines integrated with VenueShield, an environmental hygiene protocol developed by BCEC’s parent group, ASM Global and rolled out at 325 venues worldwide.

Having led the recovery of convention centre business, both nationally and globally, BCEC is now actively supporting the COVID-19 vaccine rollout by Queensland Health, acting as a mass vaccination hub.

One of the Centre’s 5,000sqm Exhibition Halls is now the state’s largest community vaccination location, set up to deliver 3,000 vaccinations daily, seven days week.

O’Keeffe said the Centre welcomed the opportunity to assist the vaccine rollout for Brisbane and added “this is Queensland’s road to recovery from COVID-19 and we will continue to support the Queensland Government in any way we can”.

He said despite the Centre tracking well, recent lockdowns had again disrupted business, but believes expediating the vaccine rollout is key to the industry’s return to business.

The International Association of Congress Centres named The Shaw Centre in Canada as World’s Best Convention Centre in 2020.

For more information on ASM Global go to asmglobal.com/

Image top: BCEC on Grey Street Exterior; image centre: BCEC QLD Reds Long Lunch 2021 Credit: Brendan Hertel Photography; Image above ASM Global's VenueShield