Fresh data from Tourism Research Australia released last week, reveals Brisbane’s business travel sector is soaring, with a record 5.8 million visitor nights in the year ending December 2024 – an impressive 30.5% year-on-year surge. 

Scientists, farmers, and neurosurgeons will be among the tens of thousands of global delegates arriving in Brisbane this year for a raft of national and international business events. Spanning agriculture, medical technology, and tourism, these dynamic conferences will attract more than 99,000 attendees, generating over 180,000 visitor nights.

The lucrative business events program is a coup for the city’s convention bureau, Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), which has secured 95 business events to be held Brisbane in 2025, many in collaboration with partners including the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC). 

The high-profile conferences, meetings and incentives are forecast to inject more than $125 million into the local economy, fuelling the city’s $11.3 billion in annual visitor spending, while also highlighting the region’s thriving industries of agriculture, logistics, life sciences and tourism. 

Global food and agriculture conference World Angus Forum (7-8 May), set to be hosted at BCEC, is set to follow a successful EvokeAg (18-19 Feb) which saw thousands of agri-food leaders, experts and innovators from around the world visit the city in February. 

The two events will attract a combined 2,600 visitors to the city, while showcasing Brisbane’s international reputation in sustainable agriculture and highlighting trade opportunities of Brisbane’s booming export market, poised to grow 41% in the next decade.

The homegrown Brisbane Truck Show returns in 2025, attracting more than 40,000 visitors and heavy vehicle industry leaders, shining a spotlight on the city’s growing transport and logistics sector.

As a global leader in health and science, Brisbane will also host more than 3,000 leading researchers attending the International Conference on Microneedles, the Conference for the Organisation for Human Brain Mapping, and the International Mental Health Nursing Conference.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane had everything a business needed to create an exceptional delegate experience.

“Brisbane’s growing reputation as Australia’s most small business-friendly city and our unparalleled lifestyle makes us the perfect host for business events,” Cr Schrinner said.

“As well being a global leader agriculture, health and tourism, must do destinations like Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and Fish Lane are exciting drawcards for visitors to connect outside of business hours.

“We’re also Australia’s friendliest city and we look forward to welcoming business delegates at events, in our restaurants, at our hotels and in our local businesses very soon.”

Tourism features strongly on Brisbane’s business events calendar too, with the Australian Tourism Exchange, Australia’s largest annual tourism trade event, bringing wholesalers and operators from over 30 countries to experience the city firsthand.

Brisbane’s diverse business events calendar also features events in the technology, energy, education, and transport sectors.

BEDA CEO Anthony Ryan said Brisbane was home to some of the brightest minds and greatest innovations in agriculture, health and tourism, all major drivers of the city’s robust economy.
"Tourism is one of Brisbane’s most important industries, driving a record $11.3 billion in visitor spending,” Mr Ryan said.

“Our health sector is set to grow 36% by 2031, powering innovation in vaccines, immunotherapy, medical robotics, pharmaceuticals, and artificial organs.

"Agriculture is also booming, supported by strong trade relationships with Asia, while our transport and logistics industry is growing faster than the national average, benefiting from one of the best freight networks in the country.

"These dynamic industries make our city a magnet for international conferences and the thousands of delegates who will stay, shop and dine in our city."

As Brisbane’s official convention bureau, BEDA works with partners to secure and support conferences, meetings, and incentive events to create successful outcomes for event organisers and local businesses.

For more information, visit choose.brisbane.qld.au.