The grant, administered by Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), helps recipients attend international conferences and conventions, as a first step towards securing hosting rights for Brisbane in future years.

Applications for 2025 are open now, with recipients receiving up to $5,000 to attend their nominated event, in a bid to strengthen their global networks and enhance Brisbane’s reputation as a knowledge hub.

Successful applicants can use the grant to cover conference registration and travel costs.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner called for nominations, citing benefits for applicants and the city.

“The Trailblazer Grant program gives Brisbane’s brightest minds the opportunity to connect with their international peers and pitch Brisbane as a world-class destination for their next major conference or convention,” Cr Schrinner said.

“By investing in our local talent, this program helps to attract events and business visitors to Brisbane, while strengthening our global reputation as one of the world’s top innovation cities.”

The Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant was launched in 2017 and has generated a solid pipeline of future business event opportunities for the city, including at least six conference wins to date, valued at almost $9 million in economic impact for Brisbane.

Previous grant recipient and Griffith University aviation lecturer, Dr Bojana Spasojevic, said being selected as a Trailblazer was both career affirming and a great responsibility.

“I was incredibly grateful to be awarded a Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant to attend a leading international conference in my field earlier this year,” Dr Spasojevic said.

“It was a definite career highlight and an invaluable opportunity for me to promote and extend my research into the economic value of the aviation sector.

“It is humbling to know that the City of Brisbane is so invested in my work, and it makes me even more committed to campaigning for the conference to be held in Brisbane in the coming years.”

Anthony Ryan, CEO of Brisbane Economic Development Agency, said Brisbane is open for business to international conferences and conventions.

“Hosting global business events gives us opportunities to showcase the reasons why Brisbane is now regarded as a global leader in visitation, business growth and investment,” Mr Ryan said.

“Brisbane is home to a thriving hub of science, technology and innovation and acclaimed event facilities, and our city is consistently named in the Top 50 destinations around the world, so Brisbane has everything you need to connect, ignite innovation and create lasting legacies.

“A range of transformational city-shaping projects are underway, and Brisbane’s hotel and venue offering, accessibility and thriving lifestyle precincts continue to evolve and excite, offering an unparalleled delegate experience for both business and leisure.”

Together with key partners, BEDA secured a pipeline of 90 new business events in 2023-24, worth more than AUD$100 million in future economic activity for the city.

Applications for the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant close at midnight on Tuesday, 25 February 2025.