28 August, 2024

New venue shines as star attraction at Brisbane business events trade show

Edited by Travel Weekly

Hundreds of Brisbane event organisers gathered in the city on Thursday for Brisbane Pop Up, the region’s signature meetings and conference showcase and free networking event.

Celebrating 17 years in 2024, Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s (BEDA) popular annual trade event, highlighted more than 70 local venues, hotels and event services with more than 350 local industry delegates immersed in the action.

Major exhibitors included The Star Brisbane, with its new event centre due to open from September 2024 as part of the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, as well as audio-visual suppliers Encore Event Technologies, event and exhibitions specialists Moreton Hire and CBD venue host, Pullman Brisbane King George Square.

Other drawcards included a diverse mix of popular local suppliers, such as first-time exhibitors Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, City Parklands, Cuisine on Cue, Elite Helicopters, The Calile Hotel, The Plough Inn and Victoria Park.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane Pop-Up was instrumental in showcasing Brisbane as a world-class destination for business events.

“Brisbane’s soaring popularity and global reputation as a lifestyle capital and world-class hosting location is helping to supercharge our $10.6 billion visitor economy,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Our proven experience and thriving and varied industries mean we have a competitive advantage when it comes to hosting events businesses love and why our future event pipeline continues to grow.

“Brisbane’s state-of-the-art conference facilities, world-leading hotels, award-winning restaurants, unique tourism experiences and vibrant outdoor precincts make the city the perfect place to stage memorable business events and global industry conferences.”

Crowds were kept entertained with live music by Ebb & Flow The Duo and roving circus acts and performers from Velvet Rope Entertainment, with a spectacular confetti cannon pop display by Skylighter Fireworks delivering an iconic finale.

The return of Brisbane Pop-Up’s signature ‘Canon Pop’ prize draw saw attendees vying for prizes, including an Elite Helicopters flight voucher, a $250 food and beverage voucher for Emporium Hotel South Bank’s newly opened Firma Italian restaurant and a wine blending workshop for 6 people (worth $810) at City Winery.

BEDA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Ryan said this year’s Brisbane Pop-Up was a standout showcase that trained attention on the city’s wide spectrum of world-class offerings and suppliers.

“With a host of new product coming onto the market, including The Star Brisbane’s dazzling event centre and accompanying 5-star hotel The Star Grand, it’s the perfect time to be considering hosting an event in Brisbane,” Ryan said.

“Each year, Brisbane Pop-Up is a special way for venues, accommodation and events services to come together to do what they do best: stage impactful occasions and network with local and national event planners.

“In FY24, BEDA, together with venue partners including the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, secured 90 future business events and incentives for the city, worth over $100 million, and we’re just getting started.

“Brisbane’s packed business events calendar is leading the way and rolling out the welcome mat for more delegates to connect with the city’s diverse range of tailored products, bespoke experiences and venue and accommodation options.”

Conference and convention delegates enjoy Brisbane’s enviable range of world-class hotel and accommodation options, lifestyle, entertainment, dining and retail precincts and tourism and cultural experiences across the city.

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