A historic arts and events hub will for the first time join a diverse Brisbane contingent showcasing eminent business event, accommodation and cultural experiences at the Australia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) next week.

The iconic Brisbane Powerhouse will make its AIME debut with Team Brisbane on stand 2418 from 21-22 February.

A former power station built in the 1920s, the Brisbane Powerhouse is now a regarded performing arts, culture and events hub attracting more than 700,000 visitors every year.

Convention Bureau General Manager Rob Nelson said the 11 Team Brisbane exhibitors comprised one of the most diverse groups to ever represent Australia's New World City.

“We are delighted the Brisbane Powerhouse will join us at AIME this year. Team Brisbane will represent a range of award-winning and emerging business event and incentive products,” Mr Nelson said.

“AIME delegates can learn about new event spaces and services from our established first-rate venues including a conventions centre holding the title of 'world's best'.

“They can also hear the latest on two exciting new developments opening in early 2018 – the Howard Smith Wharves riverside precinct and the five-star Emporium Hotel Southpoint.

“Our city's rich culture and quintessential Australian experiences will also be on show with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Tangalooma Island Resort all offering new products and services.”

Brisbane's profile as a destination of choice continues to grow. According to the latest Tourism Australia figures, the city attracted 1.183 million (up 9.6%) international visitors and a record 5.8 million (up 5.3%) domestic visitors in the year to September 2016.

“This spike in visitors to Brisbane is expected to continue with the opening of new travel pathways such as the recently launched China Eastern Airlines direct flights between Brisbane and Shanghai – China's biggest city,” Mr Nelson said.

“Greater visitor numbers and events will be supported through a wide range of new accommodation options. Brisbane's continuing hotel boom will see at least five new hotels open in 2017, offering more than 1050 rooms and event spaces.

“I encourage all meeting and travel organisers to visit Team Brisbane at stand 2418 to learn how our transforming city can exceed their expectations across business events, incentives and travel.”

Team Brisbane features the following exhibitors:

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has been named The World's Best Convention Centre by the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC). Host venue for the 2014 G20 Summit, acknowledged as the ”best ever”, BCEC is Australia's most flexible meetings venue providing unprecedented choice for events of all sizes and delivering a “next level” experience for clients. Located in the heart of the city at the epicentre of Brisbane's riverside cultural and entertainment attractions, BCEC has the best of Australia at your fingertips – from day trips to the reef, a pristine coastline and lush, heritage-listed rainforests.
bcec.com.au

Brisbane Powerhouse is Queensland's home for contemporary culture, a magnificent power station of the 1920s reborn as an arts and cultural hub on the Brisbane River. With over 1250 performances and events each year, it is one of the busiest arts venues in the Asia-Pacific region. Brisbane Powerhouse has an organisation-wide commitment to creators of all disciplines. It offers a year-round program featuring events across music, comedy, writers and ideas, dance, film, visual arts, digital arts, theatre and music theatre. It can help create events and experiences that couldn't exist anywhere else, including outstanding dining experiences, the adrenaline rush of a festival's atmosphere or the joy of witnessing a great performance. brisbanepowerhouse.org

Customs House is one of Brisbane's premier function venues with unique spaces for all styles of corporate events. Its prominent Queen St location overlooking the river, impressive service and facilities are the best Brisbane has to offer. Customs House has five event spaces, most with river views and all with natural light. The Long Room is the perfect setting for large functions, serene and majestic beneath the building's huge copper dome. The River Room has just been launched as a brand new event space that combines state-of-the-art technology with contemporary styling and direct access to the terrace overlooking the river.
customshouse.com.au

Australia's most-awarded boutique luxury hotel, Emporium Hotel is Brisbane's first true property of its kind, renowned for its exquisite design, beautiful detailing and exceptional service. The hotel has gained an enviable reputation nationally and internationally and was most recently named Australia's Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards for the second consecutive year (2015, 2016) as well as being a 2015 inductee into the Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame. In early 2018, Emporium Hotels will open the doors to its new flagship property, located in South Bank, Queensland's premier lifestyle precinct.
emporiumhotels.com.au

Opening in 2018, Howard Smith Wharves will be Brisbane's newest and most exciting riverfront event space. Boasting stunning uninterrupted views of the iconic Story Bridge and city skyline, the 3.4-ha site will be transformed into a riverside lifestyle and events precinct. The HSW precinct will feature two unique indoor event spaces and a vast assortment of outdoor event spaces – from rooftop terraces, pop-up marquees and intimate private event spaces nestled among the cliffs. The venue can cater for 10 to 1000 people at each event and will serve the highest-quality seasonal cuisine from the finest local produce.
howardsmithwharves.com

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, located only 12km from Brisbane CBD, is a unique venue, allowing guests to break out of the traditional corporate venue and experience an event destined to be remembered. Lone Pine can cater for up to 500 guests at one time, and offers the choice of three great semi-outdoor venues. Lone Pine is also home to three large outdoor cinema screens, available for hire for events. Screen the latest blockbuster, a timeless classic, or your favourite music video clips. Free wi-fi, guest parking, and coach parking is available onsite.
koala.net

The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is an internationally acclaimed art museum with ever-changing exhibitions. QAGOMA offers a unique, cultural event experience boasting unrivalled river and city views with over eight world-class event spaces including two cinema theatres, elegant dining up to 250, cocktail parties for up to 1500, and auditorium seating for up to 330. Contemporary catering features bespoke menus focusing on quality local Queensland produce by award-winning Executive Chef Josue Lopez. Both venues are architecturally acclaimed, with GOMA winning the 2007 RAIA National Award for Public Architecture. QAGOMA is within walking distance of the BCEC, situated in Brisbane's Cultural Precinct, close to the CBD and well serviced by public transport.
qagoma.qld.gov.au

The Royal International Convention Centre (Royal ICC) is a world-class convention centre located just 1.5km from Brisbane's CBD at the historic Brisbane Showgrounds. It's the only centre in Australia to offer clients menus featuring award-winning produce from the prestigious Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show and iconic Royal Queensland Show. Guests are offered convenient onsite accommodation and dining, with the four-and-a-half-star Rydges Fortitude Valley Hotel and vibrant King Street dining hub located directly across the road. Since opening in March 2013, the centre has hosted high-profile local and international guests including Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.
royalicc.com.au

Rydges South Bank Hotel boasts some of Brisbane's most sophisticated meeting/conference facilities to accommodate intimate meetings to grand events of up to 1000 guests. Delegates will appreciate the Podium Rooms or Level 12 Rooftop, where the views of Brisbane River and CBD are simply spectacular. Organisers will have access to Got it Covered – a custom mobile web page for your event offering a direct line to banquet staff for requests on the day and secure high-speed wi-fi (50mb). Its award-winning team can help design flexible menus and customise packages to suit any budget. As the 2016 winner of Spice Magazine's Best Convention Hotel, Rydges South Bank is located in the heart of the city's best dining, entertainment and cultural precinct of South Bank.
rydges.com

Sofitel Brisbane Central boasts the largest, fully integrated hotel meeting facility in Brisbane. The modern and stylish luxury French property is an impressive and historic landmark on the city skyline providing the ideal location for exquisite events. The multi-award-winning hotel offers 15 technically advanced conference venues catering for 10 to 1100 delegates. Located in the heart of the CBD with extensive views over the city and direct rail access to the airport via Central Station below, Sofitel Brisbane Central offers unparalleled convenience and unrivalled service. The renowned luxury hotel also offers 433 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, Sofitel Club Lounge, Business Centre, four restaurants and bars, SoFit Gymnasium, pool and an award-winning hotel day spa.
sofitelbrisbane.com.au

Just a short boat cruise from Brisbane, Tangalooma Island Resort offers a true Queensland experience. Boasting unique natural wonders, first-hand animal encounters, island-based tours, activities, and a range of conferencing and events facilities, Tangalooma is well and truly a bucket-list destination. The resort provides complete conferencing, team building and events solutions, all within six uniquely personalised venues – right by the bay. Cater for up to 300 delegates, with a variety of experiences to suit your travelling party. From corporate lunches to boardroom meetings and full-day delegate packages, the choice is completely yours! Give your delegates a truly unique experience…on an island! tangalooma.com/conferences

For more information and images, contact: Kylie Sully

M: 0411 407 128 | E: ksully@brisbanemarketing.com.au