Australasia
Brisbane has a blockbuster year of events ahead
Brisbane is set for a packed 2026 line-up of major sporting, cultural and entertainment events that are expected to energise the city, support local jobs, and strengthen its AUD$13.7bn visitor economy. Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) is supporting more than 100 of these events in 2026. They are expected to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy, reinforcing the city’s ...
SXSW pulls plug on Sydney event
SXSW Sydney will not return in 2026. Organisers confirmed the 2025 edition was its last, ending the Asia-Pacific expansion of SXSW after three years. SXSW Sydney launched in 2023 under a five-year agreement with the NSW Government – the final event ran in October of last year. In a statement, organisers cited “a changing global environment” and “prevailing market conditions”. They said these facto...
Expertise matters at AIME 2026
Whether you attend Knowledge Monday or spend two days on the show floor, there is something for everyone at AIME 2026. The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) will return to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from Monday, 9 to Wednesday, 11 February 2026. Thousands of business meetings and incentives professionals from across the globe will come together to connect...
ICC Sydney installs eight pickleball courts on its Event Deck
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has transformed its Event Deck into a vibrant precinct featuring eight purpose-built pickleball courts. Operated by House of Pickle a local business experienced in community sport, the courts will be open to the public and offer casual play, coaching, and events tailored for both community and corporate groups. Placemaking NSW chief executive, An...
Tourism Australia appoints new managing director
The Tourism Australia (TA) Board has appointed Robin Mack (pictured) as its new managing director. He has been a leader within Tourism Australia for over a decade and brings almost 30 years of multi sector global experience within the travel industry to the role. Mack has been responsible for overseeing Tourism Australia’s market strategy and operations across 16 global markets, as well as commerc...
Reef-focused tourism campaigns in North Queensland recognised at global travel awards
Tourism Tropical North Queensland has won Initiative of the Year at the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards 2025. The win covered two international campaigns focused on the Great Barrier Reef –Guardian of the Reef and The Lifetime of Greatness Project. Tourism Tropical North Queensland launched Guardian of the Reef in October 2024, with the aim of linking reef visitation with protection. Tourism Tro...
Melbourne on the menu at MCEC in 2026
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is bringing the city’s energy to the table for 2026 with the unveiling of bold new year menus, featuring premium cocktails on tap, a first for any convention centre in Australia. The new 2026 menus focus on more than traditional catering and guests can expect interactive food moments, as well as premium local partnerships. Executive sous chef of cu...
Sydney posts events record year as it mourns victims of Bondi terror attack
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has reported securing the greatest number of future events in a calendar year in the company’s 55-year history. The bureau secured 81 business events that will attract around 59,000 delegates, staying 253,000 days and generating more A$252m in future direct expenditure to Australia’s gateway city. The statistics represent a small ray of good news released just a w...
International visitor spend in Brisbane hits record $3.3bn
International visitors spent a record $3.3bn in Brisbane in the year to September 2025, according to figures from Tourism Research Australia. The statistics suggest healthy growth in the city’s visitor economy. Brisbane welcomed 1.3m international visitors during the period, representing growth of 4.8% year on year. Those visitors stayed a combined 26.5m nights, while international holiday travel ...
Melbourne to host IADR General Session in 2027
Melbourne has been selected to host the IADR General Session in 2027. The event will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, marking the first time the meeting is held in the city. The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research will bring a community of thousands of researchers and specialists from across the global dental research community. The bi...
Brisbane secures international conference on injury care in remote areas
Brisbane will host CAOS 2028, an international orthopaedic conference. The Annual Meeting of the International Society for Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery will take place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. The four-day event will bring orthopaedic surgeons, researchers and clinicians to the city, focusing on surgical innovation, trauma care and remote patient management. The...
AIME 2026 full Knowledge Monday programme unveiled
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has announced the full agenda for its expanded 2026 Knowledge Monday programme. Opening AIME 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Monday 9 February, the programme is built around this year’s theme, Expertise Matters!, celebrating the credibility, clarity and strategic influence that business events professionals brin...