For the first time, Brisbane will host the Australian Tourism Export Council’s (ATEC) Meeting Place, where more than 400 export tourism leaders head to Queensland 25 – 27 November.
Announcing the winning bid, ATEC Managing Director, Peter Shelley said Meeting Place was an invaluable opportunity for Brisbane and Queensland to profile its latest tourism offerings.
“Meeting Place is the platform where the people who sell Australia to the world come to hear about the latest and most exciting new product available,” Mr Shelley said today.
“It’s a collection of our industry’s thought leaders, decision makers and business development managers from across the country and it provides a strong focal point for our industry as an annual Business to Business event.
“We are excited to be bringing Meeting Place to Brisbane as the city has seen some great new developments that will appeal to the international market and our suppliers will have the opportunity to take a close look at these new products.”
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said securing ATEC Meeting Place for Brisbane demonstrated the strength of the state’s tourism industry.
“This is another coup for Queensland. To be hosting ATEC Meeting Place in Brisbane for the first time just goes to show how much we are developing this state’s reputation as a world-class events destination,” Ms Jones said.
“Business events are a key area of growth for the state’s tourism economy, with recent figures showing international business events will contribute more than $50 million to the Queensland economy this year.”
“This event is yet another opportunity to bring people to Queensland and showcase the strength of our tourism industry and its offerings.”
With seven hotel refurbishments or new openings in the Brisbane area in the past year and the new Howard Smith Wharves precinct, which includes a further new hotel, the city is ripe for the inbound tourist and it’s the perfect time to be raising its international profile.
Now retired Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Meeting Place would enable Brisbane tourism operators to build connections with companies that sold leisure products and experiences in Australia’s key international markets.
“The fact Meeting Place is being staged in Brisbane for the first time demonstrates that our New World City is increasingly being seen as an international tourism destination,” Cr Quirk said.
“Brisbane is really building momentum in the tourism space right now as exciting new hotels, entertainment precincts and culinary experiences come online and enhance our reputation internationally as a destination of choice.”
ATEC Meeting Place will take place from 24 – 27 November at venues across Brisbane, with the main program taking place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The event is being supported by Tourism and Events Queensland, Brisbane Marketing and Brisbane Airport Corporation.
