- This page was last modified on 27 August 2025, at 07:35. Suggest an edit.
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre facts for kids
| Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre | |
|---|---|
Grey Street view of the Centre (2012)
|
|
| Address | Cnr Merivale Street and Grey Street, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Location | South Bank |
| Coordinates | 27°28′35″S 153°1′6″E / 27.47639°S 153.01833°E |
| Owner | South Bank Corporation |
| Operator | ASM Global |
| Opened | 6 June 1995 |
| Expanded | 2012 |
|
Construction cost
|
A$170 million $140 million (2012 expansion) |
|
Classroom-style seating
|
20 (Concord Ballroom) 16 (Arbour Boardroom) |
| Banquet/ballroom | 2,000 (Plaza Ballroom) 1,100 (Plaza Terrace Room) 600 (Boulevard Room) 300 (Sky Room) 150 (Arbour Lounge) |
|
Theatre seating
|
4,000 (Great Hall) 620 (Plaza Auditorium) 430 (Boulevard Auditorium) |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Total space | 171,000 square metres (1,800,000 sq ft) |
| • Exhibit hall floor | 20,000 square metres (220,000 sq ft) |
| • Breakout/meeting | 3,722 square metres (40,000 sq ft) |
| • Ballroom | 25,000 square metres (270,000 sq ft) |
| Parking | Undercover parking for 1500 vehicles |
| Public transit access | South Brisbane railway station |
| Tenants | |
| Brisbane Bullets (NBL) (1998–2008, 2016–2019) Queensland Firebirds (ANZ/NNL) (2008–2017) |
|
The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) is a huge building in Brisbane, Australia. It's a special place where big meetings, shows, and events happen. You can find it in South Brisbane, taking up most of a city block.
The BCEC is owned by the South Bank Corporation. It is managed by a company called ASM Global.
Contents
Building History
The BCEC was designed by COX Architecture. Construction started in March 1993. Before that, the area was home to the World Expo Park. The building cost about $170 million to build. Most of the money came from the Queensland Government.
The centre was finished in May 1995. It officially opened its doors on June 6, 1995.
Hosting Big Events
The BCEC has hosted many important events. In 2014, Brisbane hosted the G20 summit. This was a meeting of leaders from the world's biggest economies. The BCEC was the main place for this event. It also had a large media centre for over 2,500 journalists.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the centre was used as a big vaccination hub. It was the largest one set up in Queensland.
Building Expansion
The BCEC got bigger with an expansion approved in 2007. Construction for this new part began in 2010. It was completed and opened in early 2012. This expansion cost $140 million and was funded by the Queensland Government.
The new part added five levels and 25,000 square metres of space. It included two new auditoriums and other facilities.
Building Design
The BCEC is a very long building, about 450 metres in length. It is 120 metres wide and 24 metres high. The roof has a unique design with five curved shapes. The building is made strong with concrete walls and covered in steel. There is also a car park on the ground floor.
Exciting Events and Shows
The BCEC is a popular spot for many different events. It hosts shows like the Brisbane International Boat Show and the Home Show. You can also find Lifeline's Bookfest and wedding expos here.
Universities like Griffith University hold their graduation ceremonies at the BCEC. Art shows and charity events also take place there. The centre even hosts musical performances. For example, the band Kraftwerk performed there in 2023.
In July 2023, the world's largest conference about HIV science was held at the centre.
Sports Events
The BCEC has also been a home for sports teams.
| Teams that played here | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Bullets | NBL | 1998–2008, 2016–19 |
| Queensland Firebirds | ANZ/NNL | 2008–17 |
| Gold Coast Blaze | NBL | 2011–12 |
From 1998 to 2008, the Brisbane Bullets basketball team played their home games in the BCEC's Great Hall. They also returned to play there from 2016 to 2019. Another basketball team, the Gold Coast Blaze, played two games there in the 2011-12 season.
The Queensland Firebirds netball team also called the Convention Centre home. They played there from 2008 to 2017. The Firebirds moved to a larger venue after the 2017 season.
Awards and Recognition
The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has won awards for being a great venue. The International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) named it the World's Best Convention Centre from 2016 to 2018. This shows how well-regarded the centre is around the world.