VenueShield protocols drive reopening of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

After months of closure due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has reopened this week following the approval by Queensland Health of its site specific COVIDSafe Plan.

With the venue to host its first events from August, Queensland Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning and the Minister responsible for BCEC, Cameron Dick advised "as we unite and recover from the pandemic, it's cause for celebration that we can welcome staff and visitors back to this outstanding venue.

“Only a few months ago, the Convention Centre was being considered as an emergency overflow venue if required during the pandemic, so it’s really down to the hard work of Queenslanders that the centre is reopening so quickly.”

BCEC’s COVIDSafe Plan has been integrated with VenueShield, a new environmental hygiene protocol developed by BCEC’s managers, ASM Global and rolled out at ASM Global’s 325 venues worldwide. VenueShield provides the most advanced hygiene safeguards and exceeds current regulations.

To develop the comprehensive new protocols, ASM Global engaged its in-house executive teams including BCEC and distilled the expertise from across its global network of venues spanning stadia, arenas, theatres, convention and exhibition centres, including the Asia Pacific region.

When events return to the venue, the newly developed BCEC Safe Event Guideline will assist clients in planning their events at the Centre and encompasses all the necessary health and hygiene safeguards, food safety measures and social distancing required under the current opening conditions. The Guideline is designed to ensure the safe hosting of events, providing reassurance and confidence for the Centre’s patrons and staff.

Commenting on the significance of the reopening, Treasurer Dick stated “while the pandemic continues to accelerate globally, with more than 50 000 cases overnight in the US, and more than $9 trillion forecast to be wiped off global economy this year, (we) remain resolutely focused on doing whatever we can to get Queenslanders back to work.

“The BCEC has 207 permanent staff, and up to 550 casual staff who are hired for events, so it’s really pleasing to know that over coming weeks and months, we’ll be seeing workers and visitors return to this job-generating venue.”

Explaining the value of the Centre’s Site Specific COVIDSafe Plan, he added “we also need to ensure that we’re looking after the health and safety of people and ASM Global, together with the (Queensland) Government and health authorities, have developed a plan that covers all areas of the Centre’s operation and is underpinned by hygiene, health and safety protocols of the highest standards.

“The sheer size of the venue enables the physical distancing requirements that are currently required as part of the mitigation measures against COVID-19.”

BCEC General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe said the reopening is  yet another sign of green shoots in the recovery of the economy for the locals, noting “we are looking forward to welcoming events back to the Centre and doing what we do best, attracting much sought after and high yield business events to Brisbane and Queensland.

“We are receiving enquiries every day and have hundreds of bookings already over coming months.”

Images of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre courtesy of BCEC.