Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has announced a new 30th Birthday initiative in partnership with Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) to support Queensland and Australia’s research and commercial uptake in across health, biomedical and agritech bio-innovation.
LSQ is the Queensland peak body for medical and agricultural science and investment attraction in one of Australia’s fastest growing states. Intended to run over three years, the initiative will provide funding to mid-career researchers looking to strengthen industry collaboration and research impact in the life sciences.
Managed by Legends Global, BCEC has a mandate to attract key international and national conferences, bringing innovation to Queenslanders and generating visitation economic impact. The Centre collaborates with Queensland universities and Institutes, Brisbane Economic Development Agency, Tourism Events Queensland and Tourism Australia to secure these events as a team.
This bursary is a BCEC 30th Birthday legacy initiative of the Centre’s Convention Advocates Partnership. A ‘by invitation’ group of international leaders in their field, who understand the power of bringing the innovation to Brisbane and the impact conferences have in showcasing Brisbane and Queensland’s innovation sector.
Since its inception in 2010, their impact has been remarkable, securing 163 national and international conferences and generating $358 million in economic impact, and most importantly contributing to Brisbane’s ever increasing global reputation as an Asia Pacific hub of innovation and expertise.
Representing more than 100 industry members across the life sciences ecosystem, LSQ connects industry with government and research organisations to create a dynamic, internationally competitive and sustainable sector. Queensland’s life sciences industry contributes $2.11 billion in gross value-added, employs 12,400 people, and generates an estimated $534.3 million in export value.
LSQ plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the industry, influencing public policy, and providing members with tools, services and access to global networks to accelerate growth. This strong foundation makes LSQ the ideal partner for an initiative that bridges research and industry to drive innovation.
Kym Guesdon, General Manager of BCEC, said the bursary reflects the Centre’s long-standing collaboration with Queensland’s research community, “For three decades, BCEC has partnered with science leaders to showcase Queensland’s innovation to the world. This 30th birthday initiative honours that legacy by investing in future talent and strengthening the connections between research and industry that drive global impact.”
The bursary concept was developed in consultation with multiple BCEC Convention Advocates, including Professor Trent Munro, Chair of LSQ and a leading voice in Queensland’s bio innovation sector. Trent said, “BCEC fundamentally understands how research innovation is transferred, and it’s between people, and usually at specific technical conferences.
As the peak body for bio innovation in Queensland, LSQ is proud to partner with BCEC to invest in the next generation of researchers, clinicians and global industry experts, and to mark gratitude to those that bring the world to Brisbane in their field.”
Incoming LSQ Chair Professor Frank Gannon added, “It’s been a pleasure to work with fellow Advocates and BCEC to craft this new Bursary. It reflects Queensland’s maturity in cross disciplinary and sectoral collaboration to accelerate innovation transfer in bio innovation.
We’re proud to collaborate with the Centre on an initiative that not only supports individual researchers but strengthens the entire ecosystem for bio innovation in Queensland.”
As a Convention Advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how partnerships and conversations facilitated by BCEC have elevated Queensland’s global profile.
This bursary is a powerful way to support mid-career researchers at a critical stage in their careers. By fostering industry engagement, we’re helping position Queensland as a global leader in life sciences and bio innovation for the long term – that’s about health, longevity and food supply for us, our region and the world”.
Application details and program guidelines will be released in the coming months at LSQ.com.au.
