Brisbane has opened applications for the 2026 Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant, offering up to $5,000 for local professionals to attend international conferences and help bring those events home to Queensland’s capital.
Announced by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) on 15th October 2025, the latest round of the program encourages Brisbane-based professionals, academics and industry leaders to showcase their expertise on the global stage and position the city as a preferred destination for major international conventions. Applications close 24 February 2026.
Administered through Business Events Brisbane, the initiative supports applicants whose attendance at overseas conferences could help inspire future event bids for Brisbane. The grant covers registration and travel expenses for nominated international events, with a strong focus on how the opportunity will contribute to both the applicant’s professional growth and the city’s long-term business-events pipeline.
Previous recipients have helped secure at least nine major international conventions, which BEDA claim has contributed an estimated $10 million in economic impact.
The grant also complements Brisbane’s wider events strategy, which includes investments in hotels, riverfront precincts, and the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, as well as preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Together, these projects aim to position Brisbane as a world-class destination for both business and leisure.
Shortlisting for the Trailblazer Grant will take place in March 2026, with recipients to be announced in April. Successful applicants will be expected to share outcomes from their international engagement and collaborate with BEDA to identify future conference opportunities.
The Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant was first introduced in 2018 by Brisbane Marketing (now BEDA) under then-Lord Mayor Graham Quirk. The initiative was created to complement the city’s Convention Bid Fund by focusing on individuals who could serve as catalysts for future events, rather than on immediate event sponsorship.
The program remains a cornerstone of the city’s business-events strategy; combining professional development with destination marketing.