Brisbane will welcome the world’s leading orthopaedic surgeons and researchers for a landmark event set to transform how Australians in regional and remote communities access life-changing trauma and injury care.
The Annual Meeting of the International Society for Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS 2028) will take place at the Legends Global managed Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).
The conference will showcase Australia’s early adoption of computer-assisted orthopaedic technologies and world-leading expertise in telehealth technologies during a four-day program focused on surgical innovation, trauma care and remote patient management.
With Australia’s vast outback footprint where accidents are significantly higher, combined with an ageing population driving unprecedented demand for orthopaedic intervention, the ability to deliver advanced orthopaedic care closer to home is a game changer.
For Queensland’s regional and remote communities, this also means shorter recovery times, reduced travel costs, and the chance to stay in their communities while accessing world-class care.
Computer-assisted surgery and telehealth technologies are set to revolutionise orthopaedic care, easing pressure on the health system. Queensland is already a global leader in telehealth-enabled emergency response, and CAOS 2028 will accelerate innovation to make advanced surgical care more accessible than ever.
The successful bid was led by Professor Michael Schuetz, Director of the Jamieson Trauma Institute and incoming CAOS President, in partnership with the team at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, and with support from Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA).
Queensland Minister for the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell, said it represents a natural fit with Queensland’s reputation as a global hub for health innovation.
“With our state’s vast and remote regions and developments in advanced medical imaging, there are great synergies in hosting such an important conference here.
“We are showcasing Queensland’s capability in delivering world-class business events, as the state cements its reputation as the events capital of the nation.
“Significantly, the conference is projected to inject around $1.8 million into the local economy and generate more than 1,600 visitor nights, delivering substantial benefits for Queensland.”
A world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon originally from Germany, Professor Schuetz has called Brisbane home for more than a decade.
“CAOS 2028 will be more than a scientific meeting, it will be a platform for collaboration, innovation and real-world impact,” Professor Schuetz said. “Our goal is to extend orthopaedic technology beyond the operating theatre, enabling remote monitoring, trauma response in rural areas and improving equity in healthcare access. The solutions we drive here will be scalable globally.”
Professor Schuetz says this forward-thinking approach builds on Australia’s long history of innovating to deliver healthcare to remote communities, most famously through the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), which celebrates its centenary in 2029. Calling the RFDS “the most trusted brand in Australia”, he said it remains a powerful symbol of the nation’s commitment to equitable access to care.
“Just as the RFDS revolutionised access to primary and emergency health services for remote Australians, the next chapter is about extending advanced orthopaedic care and surgical expertise beyond the hospital walls,” he said. “This focus on innovation to improve access and equity will be a central theme of CAOS 2028.”
CAOS 2028 will deliver a strong legacy program prioritising student engagement, workforce development, and solutions for healthcare access challenges in regional and remote communities.
President of the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Dr Mark Moroney said, “As the endorsing organisation, the AOA is committed to advocating for its regional and rural members to ensure they are equipped with the right tools and technology to deliver world-class orthopaedic care. This conference provides a platform for our members to experience firsthand the future of surgical innovation and the transformative potential of technology in trauma and injury care across Australia’s most remote regions.”
Live surgery showcases will highlight Queensland’s leadership, while international collaboration will draw on best practice from countries tackling the challenge of delivering advanced care to remote populations. The event will also explore the role of surgical innovation in enhancing athlete recovery and performance in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. CAOS 2028 is part of an impressive line-up of international conferences secured for Brisbane and Queensland through Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) support.
In the 2024/25 financial year, six conferences were won for Brisbane attracting 3,900 delegates, delivering an economic value of $16.3 million to Brisbane and Queensland. These wins reinforce Brisbane’s growing reputation as a hub for health innovation and a leading destination for global business events.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane’s reputation for innovation and hosting world-class events made it the perfect choice for CAOS 2028.
“Brisbane is leading the way in health and medical innovation, making it the ideal place to bring experts together and spark ideas that will benefit communities right across our region,” Cr Schrinner said.
“With exceptional venues, outstanding dining and accommodation and vibrant lifestyle precincts, Brisbane provides the perfect stage for impactful collaboration.”
BCEC General Manager, Kym Guesdon said the Centre was honoured to host CAOS 2028. “BCEC plays a leadership role in highlighting Queensland’s world class expertise, and we are pleased to be able to showcase the great work being done in orthopaedics and trauma care,” she said. “Conferences like CAOS 2028 are vital for advancing global relationships and delivering lasting legacies for our communities.”
