New grants to help Brisbane win global conventions

BRISBANE Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has invited the city's ambitious early career professionals and researchers to apply for a share of $30,000 to help attract leading international conventions and conferences.

Opening the second round of the Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant, Cr Quirk said recipients would be funded to attend an international association conference in their field to help pave the way for Brisbane to host the conference in the future.

“The Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant was a recommendation of the Brisbane 2022 New World City Action Plan, which outlined our commitment to winning more conferences and business events,” Cr Quirk said.

“The benefits of this grant are two-fold. Recipients will be funded to attend a conference that will benefit them professionally while also advocating for Brisbane to host a future rotation of the conference.

“Every convention that flows into Brisbane builds on our appeal as a business and research destination and delivers economic benefits for tourism and hospitality businesses, including hotels, restaurants and retailers.”

The Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant is run by the Brisbane Convention Bureau, which is within the city’s economic development board Brisbane Marketing.

Convention Bureau general manager Juliet Alabaster said the grant was one way Brisbane could grow its reputation as a global conventions city while developing the city’s emerging talent.

“Conventions and business events generated more than $257 million for Brisbane’s economy in 2016/17. We want to build on that by hosting more conferences that attract the world’s leading minds to our city,” Ms Alabaster said.

“We’re looking for applicants who demonstrate passion and leadership in their field, and who can shine a spotlight on Brisbane’s expertise and make valuable connections to help our city secure conferences for the future.”

Applications close on January 30, 2019.

To view the criteria or to apply, visit https://choosebrisbane.com.au/trailblazer

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