Key Moments
This year, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre proudly celebrates 30 years of bringing people together, three decades of innovation, inspiration, connection, and unforgettable moments.
Through the years, the Centre has been at the heart of Brisbane’s cultural and economic story, welcoming world leaders, visionaries, and legendary performers who have shaped history. From royalty such as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Cambridge Prince William, to global icons like the Dalai Lama and Sir David Attenborough, to music legends including Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Ringo Starr, and The Wiggles, each moment has added to our rich legacy of celebration and impact.
Beyond the spotlight, BCEC has also been home to defining events, from the globally broadcast 2001 Goodwill Games to the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit and the largest post-pandemic international conference in the Asia-Pacific, the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. These milestones showcase the Centre’s lasting influence in shaping Brisbane’s story on the world stage.
This timeline honours the key moments, achievements, and people who have made the Centre what it is today. Step into the journey and discover the legacy that continues to bring Brisbane to life.
1993
The first team members joined in March, marking the beginning of an era. A soil-turning ceremony celebrated Cox Rayner’s visionary design for the Centre’s future.
1995
Over three days of celebrations, BCEC welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors. A dazzling gala concert featured Tina Arena, Lee Kernaghan, The Seekers, and more.
2002
An explosion and fire in the Centre’s main substation plunged it into darkness, prompting a swift, safe evacuation in less than eight minutes during the Motor Show.
2010
The Plaza Gallery, Australia’s first permanent convention centre art space, showcasing treasured Papunya Tula works, including works from Expo 88.
2011
The January 2011 floods tested the Centre, with power lost for days and access restricted. Overcoming challenges, BCEC reopened within two weeks.
2012
BCEC on Grey Street opened on 25 January, adding 44 meeting rooms and three standalone tiered auditoria, setting new standards for events as Australia’s most flexible event venue.
2012
BCEC’s Convention Advocates Partnership attracts high-value conferences, driving economic impact for Queensland, with leaders like Professor Ian Frazer AC.
2016-18
BCEC was named the World’s Best Convention Centre for 2016 to 2018, and Runner Up for 2020 to 2022 by the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC).
2020
Amid COVID-19 closures, the Centre marked 25 years, reopening in August as Australia’s first convention centre to resume, hosting CEDA’s Queensland State of the State Lunch.
2021
BCEC became Queensland’s mass vaccination hub, delivering thousands of doses daily. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hailed it as a vital step in ending the pandemic.
2021
Brisbane was named host of the 2032 Olympics on 21 July – it is Australia’s third Olympic city. BCEC is poised to host key events, building on its world-class track record.
2022
The Centre’s new sensory zones, developed with Autism CRC, create calming spaces for guests with sensory sensitivities, enhancing inclusivity at Great Gall events.
The Centre became the first convention centre to join the Australian Greenhouse Challenge, committing to measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions.
