For the second year running Brisbane Marketing has been named Queensland’s best Convention Bureau/Tourist Organisation at the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Industry Awards (Queensland).

This latest Award win recognises the outstanding results achieved by the Brisbane Convention Bureau during the 2006-07 period.

Brisbane Marketing Chief Executive Officer Mr John Aitken said the win was an excellent result and a fitting tribute to the Convention Bureau’s commitment to positioning Brisbane as a leading meeting and events destination.

“The Convention Bureau plays a vital role within Brisbane’s business events environment – during 2006-07 the team secured the city 27 convention bid wins that will deliver more than 15,000 business visitors and more than $30 million in delegate expenditure,” said Mr Aitken.

Convention Bureau Manager Ms Annabel Sullivan, who collected the Award on behalf of the team, acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Bureau staff and praised their professionalism and passionate dedication to Brisbane and the business events industry.

“We have one of the best Bureau teams in the country and we’ve worked with industry to build on the successes of the previous year,” said Ms Sullivan.

“As we look ahead we’ll continue to seek out better ways of doing business for the benefit of clients.

“With business visitor numbers on the rise, the arrival of great new product like the Emporium Hotel and the upcoming expansion of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane is abuzz with action.

“We’re focused on working with the local meetings and events industry to capitalise on the opportunities and secure even more events in 2007-08.”

With these results and the Award win under its belt, the Bureau will now go on to contest the title of Australia’s best Convention Bureau/Tourist Organisation at the National Awards to be held in Alice Springs in May.