Recent venue re-openings, refurbishments, new restaurants, event announcements in Brisbane as more cities in Australia go back to business with renewed support and confidence.
Here’s a look at the key updates on event venues and tourism product offerings shared by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has reopened in August. BCEC has implemented a Site Specific COVID-Safe Plan, which is integrated with VenueShield, a new environmental hygiene protocol developed by BCEC’s parent group, ASM Global and rolled out at ASM Global’s 325 venues worldwide.

Additionally, a newly developed BCEC Safe Event Guideline is assisting clients in planning their events and encompasses all the necessary health hygiene safeguards, food safety measures and social distancing required under the current opening conditions.
Incorporating Lyon 1 & Lyon 2, the newly renovated space at Sofitel Brisbane Central is entirely pillar-less. The 240 sq m room features integrated audio visual displays at either end of the room and a retractable wall to provide event organisers with flexibility. Natural lighting fills Lyon through large windows that span from one side of the room to the other. However, setting the mood is easily achieved with dynamic lighting and blackout blinds.
In addition, Concorde, Bastille, St Germain and the exterior walls of the hotel’s level two conferencing space have been refurbished and elevated to align with the look and feel of Lyon.
As Australia’s first major arts festival to return since COVID-19, the three-week Brisbane Festival will reignite the city’s love of live events from 4-26 September.
Restrictions related to coronavirus forced organisers to completely reimagine the festival in a COVID-Safe context. The result is a carefully curated Boldly Brisbane programme featuring 91 events, 73 of which are free, employing over 700 Queensland artists.
BIGSOUND has announced that it will proceed in 2020 with a revised programme of conference, live music and parties, ensuring that its long-standing role of providing forward thinking, listening, learning, discovering and most importantly industry connection for the music community, is not lost due to COVID-19.
The event will still occur in its spiritual home, the Fortitude Valley live music precinct, while fully respecting social distancing and safety protocols with a condensed programme of conferences, workshops, facilitated conversations, live festival showcases, secret shows and official parties across two days and two nights across Wednesday 21 October and Thursday 22 October 2020.
Exclusive to Brisbane, the Brisbane Cycling Festival has announced its return over three weeks in March-April 2021. The festival is cancelled this year but is gearing up to be bigger and better with a mix of elite and mass participation events along with a Festival Village featuring an Active Lifestyle Expo, fun events, and entertainment.
Brisbane EDA can help business event planners leverage major events such as the Brisbane Cycling Festival through exclusive delegate experiences and access to talent.
Mirimar Cruises began sailing down the river to the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse on a 22-metre catamaran this month. Guests can relax and unwind on this two-hour trip as they sip their complimentary cocktail and admire the beautiful cityscapes in the burnished light that gives way to the evening sky.
Step off the boat and enjoy drinks and canapes in an exclusive spot at the Brisbane Powerhouse then cruise on home lulled by the watery journey on the river. There are plenty of areas for optimum viewing of the sunset and glittering city lights as you pass through South Bank, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Riverside, Howard Smith Wharves and Dockside. Operating Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Australia’s newest off-road adventure, Oz Buggy Tours will take you off the beaten track – across rivers, past waterfalls and up crevices normally only accessible with a four-wheel drive. A business based in Brisbane, with tours taken in Landcruiser Mountain Park in Kingaham, Queensland.
Featured image by Brisbane Local Marketing on Unsplash
Connect with the BEAM team via hello@untangledgroup.com and let us help you BEAM!