15 May, 2019

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre scores major health conference

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has announced it will host the Congress of the International Orthoptic Association (IOA) in June 2024.

The IOA Congress, which is considered the most important orthoptic meeting in the world, promises to be a catalyst for driving improvements in eye health care across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

On behalf of the host organisation, Orthoptics Australia president Marion Rivers said it looked forward to welcoming orthoptists from 23 IOA membership countries from around the world who are expected to attend the congress.

“The congress will provide us with the opportunity to showcase the work of our Australian orthoptists and global colleagues, as well as demonstrate the strength and importance of this niche field in Queensland where there is a high demand for qualified professionals precipitating an increase in higher education and research in the sector,” Rivers said.

The team at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre worked closely with Orthoptics Australia, in collaboration with Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane Marketing, to secure the conference.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones welcomed the announcement.

“Queensland continues to demonstrate its world-class event hosting capabilities and we look forward to welcoming delegates from around the world to Brisbane in 2024,” Jones said.

“The beauty of Brisbane as a business event host is that this is a place where life is beautiful one day, perfect the next, which means delegates can extend their stay or enjoy iconic tourism experiences in between conference commitments.

“The Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Business Events Acquisition and Leveraging Fund, is proud to support such events because they drive significant economic benefit for the state.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the IOA Congress would generate an economic impact of more than $1 million and provide a boost to the local tourism, service and knowledge sectors.

“Being chosen to host this important international congress is a credit to our collaborative team Brisbane approach and our growing reputation as a leading medical research, business events and tourism destination,” Schrinner said.

BCEC general manager Bob O’Keeffe said the centre was honoured to work with its long-term association colleagues and city convention partners to bring the congress to Brisbane.

“Health care is a priority sector for both BCEC and Queensland, and we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s leading professionals working in this very important sector, which affects so many people of all ages in our community,” O’Keefe said.

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