The past decade has seen Brisbane emerge as a contemporary and highly desired global city for businesses – with brands from across the world seizing the opportunity to operate in Queensland’s thriving capital city.
The record number of cranes rising above Brisbane’s skyline paint a picture of a city moving forward fast. Projects and infrastructure works continue to transform Brisbane’s MICE offering, with a large number of new hotels and transformational developments either recently opened, under construction or in the pipeline.
Thai hospitality group Amora Hotels and Resorts have just made their Queensland debut with Amora Hotel Brisbane, while IHG Hotels & Resorts will introduce two of their most colourful brands, Voco and Indigo, to Brisbane in late 2021 and 2022, respectively.
But the landmark drawcard on the horizon is Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, an AUD$3.6 billion world-class integrated resort development transforming the Brisbane city and river’s edge. The city-shaping project will bring luxury hotels, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, cafes and bars, and indoor and outdoor event spaces into one unrivalled mixed-use precinct when the staged development begins to open from late 2022.
Geoff Hogg, Chief Casino Officer QLD for The Star Entertainment Group, says Queen’s Wharf Brisbane will help shape the city’s reputation as a key incentive destination.
“We envisage our development will make Brisbane more attractive to incentive travel organisers as it will maximise the many advantages the city already has, including its subtropical climate all year round,” he says.
Fortifying that attraction to Brisbane will be the plethora of luxury hotel offerings Queen’s Wharf will add to the city, alongside the already established selection of luxury and boutique accommodation.
“We will bring more than 1000 premium hotel rooms from global brands including The Ritz Carlton, Rosewood, and Dorsett. These hotels will offer a range of function and event spaces for small, private functions to larger conferences and events,” he says.
“Complete with a ballroom catering for up to 1,500 banquet style, a variety of world-class entertainment, and a luxury retail shopping precinct, Queen’s Wharf will provide an abundance of options for incentive delegates to meet, stay and play in the one incredible precinct.”
Securing a deal with global retail giant DFS, Queen’s Wharf Brisbane will deliver one of the world’s finest luxury shopping precincts. Part of the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) Group, DFS will create its largest shopping footprint in Oceania at Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, competitive on a global scale. DFS’ three-level T Galleria Emporium in the historic Printery Building on George Street – plus a wealth of its luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, housed across 16 free-standing stores – will deliver a shopping oasis at Queen’s Wharf featuring destination retail products from more than 100 prestigious brands.
The development will also showcase several high-profile international brands new to Brisbane. In total, DFS will create around 6,000m2 of luxury retail floorspace – part of nearly 40,000 sq m of retail, food and beverage and entertainment floorspace to be delivered across the Queen’s Wharf precinct.
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane will also feature 12 football fields of public space with a capacity of 60,000 people across its stunning river arena and other event areas. Add in riverside light and water shows; and 50 new restaurants, cafes and bars from fine-dining hatted options to celebrity chefs, bar and grills, and pop-up market stalls, and the full transformational effect of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane comes to life.
With a combination of world-class incentive offerings and unforgettable delegate experiences, with more on the horizon, Brisbane is ready and waiting for you.
For more inspiration and information on hosting an incentive or business event in Brisbane, visit choosebrisbane.com.au.
Sponsored content by Brisbane Economic Development Agency in partnership with Business Events Australia.