Horticulture conference brings $11 million to Brisbane

BRISBANE last week welcomed 3000 delegates and a forecast economic benefit of $11million, as it hosted the 29^th International Horticultural Congress (IHC) at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from August 17-22.

The IHC 2014 congress was hosted by the Australian Society of Horticultural Science, the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science. 

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said just prior to the event that Brisbane would benefit from hosting IHC 2014, as horticulture was the third-largest agricultural sector in Australia, with more than $AU9 billion Gross Value of Production.

“This conference will support our horticulture sector and showcase what our city has to offer the agricultural industry,” Cr Quirk said.

“Brisbane offers IHC 2014 delegates an unsurpassed Australian experience, with ease of accessibility, a vibrant CBD, enticing dining, provocative cultural experiences and genuine and welcoming people.

“2014 is a huge year for the Brisbane business events community, with IHC 2014 arriving in town just weeks before the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit.”

Cr Quirk said that Brisbane volunteers for IHC 2014 had undertaken the Brisbane Welcomes the World program, which would help provide delegates with a personal connection to Brisbane, its culture and attractions.

"Brisbane Welcomes the World will continue beyond G20, to ensure we are giving visitors the warmest welcome.

“This is an interactive and engaging training program that will be invaluable for conference organisers and delegates who choose Brisbane to host their business event,” Cr Quirk said.

“One of Brisbane’s great assets is our friendly and caring community, a characteristic that hasn’t changed as we have become an emerging global city,” Cr Quirk said.

“The aim is to give delegates a personal connection with our city, our culture and our events that we hope they will share with their friends and relatives."

Cr Quirk said Brisbane Marketing’s Brisbane Convention Bureau had worked closely with congress organisers to help IHC delegates get the most out of their stay in Brisbane.

“The Bureau offered a suite of in-kind support, including digital signage at the airport, onsite tourist information at the event and Airtrain travel discounts to assist delegate travel into the city.”

* The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) forecasts the Gross Value of Production (GVP) of the horticulture sector to be $AU9 billion in 2010-11, up from $AU6.5 billion in 2004-05.

 www.brisbanemarketing.com.au

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