Conference travel: a family affair?
No matter how appealing a keynote speaker or program is, taking time away from family to travel to a conference can be a difficult decision to make. It’s one reason why many conference organsiers have difficulty attracting a diverse delegate mix.
And for delegates with young children in particular, it can mean missing out on important career growth and networking opportunities.
The Brisbane Convention Bureau believes conference organisers have an opportunity to assist budget-conscious delegates to overcome doubts around bringing their family along to an event destination.
Here’s some of what Brisbane offers to make delegates’ journey and stay with their families both stress-free and enjoyable.
Covering the cost: accessing grants
One of the biggest hurdles faced when considering attending a conference or business event is an obvious one: cost. Grants are increasingly being accessed and offered by event organisers to assist underrepresented delegates attend conferences, such as women, people from rural and remote areas, and people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
For example, Advance Queensland’s Women’s Academic Fund encourages female researchers to return to their research careers following maternity leave by providing funding to them to attend or present at a conference.
Grants such as this can provide valuable financial support for delegates travelling with young families. The Brisbane Convention Bureau can assist conference organisers to identify and access funding grants.
Getting here and around
Brisbane is one of the most accessible cities in Australia, with Brisbane Airport’s two major terminals servicing 29 airlines and flying to 76 destinations. From 2020, the skies will open up even further when a new $1.35bn parallel runway becomes operational. The Convention Bureau can assist in organising group and discount fares with select airlines.
From the moment delegates touch down, travelling with families is easy. Transport deals are available for delegates travelling to Brisbane for a conference, including discounted tickets for the Airtrain, which takes just 20 minutes from the airport to Brisbane CBD.
Better still, children under 14 years of age travel free if travelling with an adult.
Once in the city, there are multiple public transport options. The $12 go Event card is an easy public transport options with three days’ unlimited travel on buses, trains, CityCat and ferry services via the TransLink network. Staying in Brisbane a little longer? The card can be extended at an additional cost.
Brisbane offers a number of free transport options. The distinctive red City Loop buses take passengers around a CBD route of popular stops including the Botanic Gardens, Queen Street Mall, City Hall and Eagle Street Pier – all for free.
Delegates and their families can also take in the sights by water via one of the regular CityCats or a free CityHopper ferry service.
Brisbane is also compact enough to get around by foot, with a network of walkways and bridges connecting to parks, cultural precincts, shopping and dining options. If the legs get tired, Green Cabs offer a safe and sustainable option.
Finding the right accommodation
Brisbane has experienced a growth in hotel supply in recent years, with 18 hotel projects completed since 2013 thanks to an incentive offered by Brisbane City Council.
New offerings such as the ibis Styles and Holiday Inn Express are designed for savvy travellers looking for a convenient location and added services where it matters most, such as on-site dining and guest laundries. Brisbane can also cater to families looking for apartment style accommodation.
The Oaks Charlotte Towers, Meriton Serviced Apartments, Belise, Menso at South Bank, The Capitol Apartments, Mantra on Queen, Code Apartments, and Evolution Apartments are just some of a range of self-contained and serviced accommodation accessible around the city.
Put your wallet away
There are plenty of free and fun things to do throughout Brisbane that will keep the kids – and adults – occupied. The city’s visitor information centres, located in the Queen Street Mall, South Bank Parklands and Roma Street Parklands make a great first point of call. The volunteers in the centres are knowledgeable and helpful locals who can help with bookings, entertainment ideas and special deals.
Delegates and their families can see Brisbane through the eyes of a local on a Brisbane Greeters tour. These volunteers host free three-hour tours in Brisbane about almost any topic – Greeter’s Choice, your choice or even give the option to see the sights via CityCycle.
As Australia’s largest free live music program, City Sounds features local and touring artists belting out everything from alternative to folk, to jazz and electro throughout Queen Street Mall, Post Office Square and South Bank.
Just across the bridge from the CBD, the Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) stand side-by-side and offer free entry. QAGOMA has a Children’s Art Centre with a program of interactive installations and activities for kids and families.
The exhibitions are high in quality and definitely worth a visit – one of the key ones on now is ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’ (ticketed and running until 3 Sept 2017 at QAGOMA). The State Library has a special Kids Corner with reading fun and games for children under eight years.
In the South Bank Parklands, Little Days Out hold free children’s workshops every Thursday from 9am-1pm, focusing on fun activities such as gardening, science and art.
The Parklands are packed with family-friendly activities, including the Aquativity area and Australia’s only man made city beach – Streets Beach, offer hours of fun and relaxation. Not far from Streets Beach the kids can discover exotic plants and fragrant herbs at Epicurious Garden.
Within the CBD the City Botanic Gardens and Roma Street Parklands make a perfect place to throw down a picnic rug or take a leisurely stroll along lush green lawns. Kids can explore modern playgrounds or board the popular trackless train for a gold coin donation in the Parklands.
A year-round events calendar
Brisbane’s subtropical weather means that outdoor festivals are a year-round occurrence – 283 days of sunshine per year also helps.
Brisbane attracts a wealth of other cultural, arts and sporting events to complement its calendar of festivals, meaning there is always something for delegates and their families to enjoy outside the conference venue. Brisbane’s event calendar presents a range of appealing festivals for conference organisers to align with.
Weave them into the wider conference itinerary, or promote them as a reason for delegates to bring along their families or extend their stay.
Held every March, the World Science Festival Brisbane is a five-day celebration of everything science related. Along with a number of free children’s activities, the festival attracts some the world’s biggest names in science, making it the perfect alignment opportunity for science conferences.
The Out of the Box festival is a biennial festival for children aged eight years and under. Held at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in June, the festival features eight days of cultural activity and learning-based play.
For foodies and their families, Regional Flavours features cooking demonstrations, kids activities and most importantly, delicious food from Queensland’s regions and is held over two days every July.
The Ekka is held over ten days every August, and showcases the best of Queensland in a fun carnival atmosphere. From livestock to wood chopping, gourmet food and wine, and fireworks – the Ekka has it all.
In September, the three-week Brisbane Festival attracts around one million people to a program of theatre, music, dance and circus-style performances. The festival culminates in Riverfire – an explosive evening of fireworks that light up the city skyline. We recommend arriving early and snapping up a spot along the river in South Bank.
Eating in the streets
Brisbane is full of dining options to suit any taste and dietary requirement. Eat Street Northshore replicates an Asian-style street market where a delicious selection of international food is dished up from around 180 shipping containers while fairy lights and live music create a welcoming and vibrant scene.
The markets are open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and $2.50 will get you through the door (kids under 12 get in for free).
The Jan Powers Farmers Markets are held at Reddacliff Place every Wednesday, bringing the country to the city with a selection of fresh produce, sweet delights and international cuisine.
Just across the bridge, the South Bank Markets offer a variety of delicious food choices and market goods within the popular South Bank Parklands and are held Friday evenings as well as Saturday and Sunday.
Access to additional services
One of the most important considerations for delegates travelling with a family is, of course, the availability of high quality health services. Brisbane is recognised worldwide as a safe and clean city, but if a delegate or their family member becomes unwell, there are easily accessible, high quality health services available.
There are a range of medical centres dotted around the CBD, however delegates can access affordable after hours and home care through services such as House Call Doctor. The city also has a number of late night chemists, and a 24-hour pharmacy at Greenslopes Private Hospital, just 12 minutes from the CBD.
There are also a number of childcare providers catering to families visiting Brisbane for business and leisure, many of which have longstanding relationships with hotel operators.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News
Two thirds of Australians support introduction of tourism tax, survey reveals
Can you guess which generation was the most outraged at the news? Hint: It is exactly who you think!
“The consumer really just wanted more classic reward availability” – customers underwhelmed by Qantas FF shakeup
All this consumer wants is to sit behind someone that doesn't push their seat back to near-horizontal levels.
Aussie travellers warned of ‘significant’ visa shifts in destinations including Chile, US and Vietnam
To be honest are biggest advice for having a layover in the US, is just don't.
Profile: Delta CEO Ed Bastian
Bastian says the airline business isn't for the faint hearted. We're sure Alan Joyce would agree!
Final Call: Travel DAZE Exec early birds are about to expire
Much like the auctioneer at the hottest sale of the year, we're giving you one more chance to jump at this deal!
Forget the weekend! Experience Gold Coast launches mid-week travel campaign
Your boss might be a bit bothered if you jet off mid-week, but you'll be the envy of all of your Instagram followers.
Victorian Tourism Industry Council warns of losing tourism dollars to NSW & QLD
Trendy cafe's hidden in CBD laneways can only get so many tourism dollars, clearly!
AIME 2024 rustles up $330m for APAC economy
This figure is a 65 per cent increase on 2023, much alike The Nibbler staff's alcohol consumption.
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Star boss resigns, admits retaining NSW casino licence unlikely under his leadership
The CEO resigned after 18 months in the role. 'Another one bites the dust' rumoured to be heard playing in Pyrmont.
Corporate Traveller swings amateur golfers around the globe for World Golf Competition
How're your golf skills? Consider yourself a Tiger Woods or often get quadruple bogeys? We take after the latter.
Corporate travellers to spend big on Melbourne F1 despite financial pressures
Part of the attraction is sick days after the event as corporate travellers suffer creaked necks and blown eardrums.
Bonza officially kicks off Gold Coast-Darwin route
The Flying Purple Thumb is back at it with another route. We swear, we're going to make this nickname stick!
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.
Boeing’s woes delay massive Virgin Australia order
This delay means Virgin staffers will be without that new plane smell, inspiring us to sell it in a can.
All the winners from the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Somehow missed this news recently? Good thing you're subscribed to our fabulous newsletter!
Corporate international travel from Brisbane up 30% YOY: Flight Centre
Queenslanders seem keen to go somewhere that actually serves good beer! Sorry, we actually like Great Northern.
Amora Brisbane undergoes $30m remodelling, geared up for MICE offerings
When $30m goes into an amazing hotel to get it geared up for MICE offerings, that's amore!
Corporate Travel Management’s CEO Laura Ruffles steps down
CTM confirmed that Ruffles will be stepping down due to a personal health issue, effective immediately.
Qatar Airways crowned World’s Best MICE Airline at World MICE Awards
You could say Qatar Airways really 'nabbed the cheese' with this one! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
Qantas, Jetstar & Virgin hike airfares as supplier costs inflate
Supplier increases means you'll pay more. It's like pass the parcel, but instead of getting a present, you owe money.
NSW Central Coast wins global sustainability award for promoting ecotourism at ITB
NSW Central Coast jumped the gun on St. Patricks Day and got the green celebrations going early!
PHOTOS: RuPaul’s Drag Race stars hit Kings Canyon for Priscilla’s 30th anniversary
The stars have renamed the iconic spot 'Queens Canyon'. No name change to the adjacent 'Priscilla's Crack', however.
Air NZ to suspend Auckland-Chicago route amid aircraft troubles
Sorry Kiwis, your craving for authentic deep dish pizza will go unsatiated (or you could just fly with another airline).
Tasmanian Premier promises to build the world’s largest chocolate fountain if re-elected
If only sticky 6-year-old children could vote. Then the Tassie Premier would be guaranteed a victory!
The staggering amount invested in 2022/23 Australian tourism projects revealed!
Any guesses on how much it was? We'll give you a hint: It's between $1 and $9 trillion (hope this helps).
Marriott’s Bonvoy Lounge makes it a 5-peat at Formula 1 in Melbourne
If Formula 1 is so good, then why isn't there a Formula 2? Oh there is one... Never mind.
Virgin Australia posts $236m profit, but the outgoing CEO warns of turbulence ahead
Hrdlicka warns of tough times ahead, just after announcing she's leaving. We wonder if there could be a connection!
Ascott opens new 255 room property in Central Sydney
Bored of your bedroom and want 255 new ones to try? The new Ascott property is here to solve this very specific problem!
Work and play at the Radisson RED, Auckland
We aren't going to tell you what order to work and play in, just that you should be looking to do both at Radisson Red.
Swiftonomics 101: Just how much did fans spend travelling to see Taylor Swift?
Thought you'd heard the last of Swift, huh? Not in your Wildest Dreams could Swiftomania go out of Style!
Rex posts a $13.3m turnaround for 1H24, but still at a loss
Rex is slowly making its way back to pre-pandemic form. Much like us with our sporadic attempts at exercise.