Inaugural collaboration between BCEC and The Star Brisbane to attract new generation of events

Inaugural collaboration between BCEC and The Star Brisbane to attract new generation of events

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) and The Star Brisbane have announced a first-time collaboration which will see the two venues welcome a new generation of events to the region.

The opening in August 2024 of The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct – will deliver a show-stopping destination bringing a range of new entertainment options, world-class hotels, dining, bars and spectacular event spaces to Brisbane’s booming meetings and events scene.

BCEC is the largest conference venue in Brisbane, responsible for 60% of the city’s visiting conferences, attracting 120 such events and thousands of delegates every year. Complemented by the South Bank precinct’s piazza, expansive green space, lagoons and city nature experiences, BCEC’s proximity to Australia’s newest leisure and entertainment destination will ensure the best of both worlds for visitors and delegates.

The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf will activate 12-hectares of riverfront land directly across from BCEC, providing an incredible urban precinct filled with purpose-built event spaces, luxury hotels, a soaring Sky Deck, expansive Leisure Deck, entertainment and dining options, riverfront parklands, heritage buildings, and much more.

The two key city precincts are physically joined by the newly developed Neville Bonner Bridge, a pedestrian connection that links the South Bank precinct, home of BCEC, with Queen’s Wharf, providing unprecedented flexibility and new experiences for event organisers and delegates to explore.

The Star Brisbane Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality, Kelvin Dodt, said The Star Brisbane’s world-class venues and offerings had been designed to complement all of the great spaces and experiences Brisbane has to offer.

Dodt notes “from our seemingly suspended Sky Deck which soars 100 metres above the Brisbane River and spans 250 metres in length, to our expansive open-air Leisure Deck brimming with event and entertainment possibilities, The Star Brisbane provides a wonderland of opportunities for product launches or sunset soirées.”

BCEC General Manager, Kym Guesdon said having the Queen’s Wharf precinct directly opposite and accessible to BCEC will deliver a unique Brisbane experience for delegates and conference organisers.

“It expands the value of the South Bank precinct offering and delivers additional benefits for conference organisers and delegates. We are thrilled to partner with The Star Brisbane to push beyond the physical boundaries of each property and offer more variety than ever before.”

The collaboration is expected to evolve and both BCEC and The Star Brisbane are committed to partnering to secure large conferences, particularly in priority Queensland industry sectors, to Brisbane.

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre is owned by South Bank Corporation and managed by leading international venue management specialists ASM Global.

BCEC share the following Q &A

Who initiated the partnership?
BCEC and The Star Brisbane have been in discussion since Queen’s Wharf was first announced and now as the opening draws closer, we’re excited to share the many ways in which we can collaborate to provide greater options for event organisers and delegates, and in turn, drive greater economic benefit for the region.

What are the priorities/targets?
Clients who generally hold their social events outside their conference venue are the natural beneficiaries of this offering.

What do we hope to achieve?
An expanded offering for events in Brisbane, making the most of our river location and creating an experience that cannot be offered in any other Australian location.

What does success look like?
Happy conference organisers and delegates who want to return to Brisbane and make the most of what Australia’s fastest growing capital has to offer.

What do we hope to present and communicate on this initiative?
Brisbane is on a trajectory of incredible momentum. This city has a level of lifestyle infrastructure happening, that is rarely seen in Australia, Brisbane is Australia’s hidden treasure and offerings will surprise anyone who hasn’t been here in the last few years, it’s constantly evolving.

How do you see Queen’s Wharf integrated into Brisbane’s existing business events infrastructure?

• QWB is poised to seamlessly integrate with Brisbane's existing business events infrastructure, complementing and enhancing the city's offerings to create an event wonderland

• QWB is a strategic addition to Brisbane's business events landscape, offering a highly diverse venue that will attract a whole new generation of events, especially as we look to the future and the 2032 Games.

Image top: Brisbane Aerial with BCEC The Star Brisbane and Queen's Wharf; image centre: The Star Brisbane and Queen's Wharf Brisbane; Image above:BCEC on Grey Street Exterior