The Queensland Government has put in place the first steps in a proposed major expansion of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) – one of Australia’s best performing venues and officially ranked among the world’s top three convention centres by the highly respected Association Internationale des Palais de Congres (AIPC).

Funding has been provided and architects appointed for the development of plans and design documentation prior to seeking final approval and funding from the Government for construction of the $100 million expansion. 

Internationally recognised convention centre specialist designers, Cox Rayner Architects - who were the original designers of the Brisbane Centre as well as the Sydney, Cairns and Singapore Centres - have begun work on the Grey Street Development expansion plans which will incorporate an additional 11 meeting rooms including two tiered plenary auditoriums, accompanying breakout areas, foyer space and banqueting facilities.

The Centre’s existing Great Hall already offers Australia’s greatest plenary capacity accommodating 8,000 in plenary mode. The proposed new auditoriums will add further plenary capacity but significantly offer greater flexibility in accommodating multiple events of differing sizes at the one time.

The planned expansion will meet an urgent need to accommodate the increasing demand for conventions of 400 to 600 delegates. It will also provide a direct interface from the Convention Centre to the South Bank Precinct - the cultural heart and hub of Brisbane city and home to galleries, theatres, orchestras, opera and Australia’s newest and largest Gallery of Modern Art.

The Queensland Government has indicated, that subject to construction funding being approved, the Centre’s expansion could be completed by mid 2009.

Brisbane Convention Centre General Manager, Robert O’Keeffe said the proposed expansion would consolidate Brisbane’s position as a leading destination for meetings and events.