Thursday, August 22, 2024 With just a week to go before the grand opening of The Star Brisbane’s Event Centre on August 29, 2024, the excitement surrounding this new facility is palpable. The Event Centre, located within the expansive Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct, is being hailed as a major milestone in Brisbane’s journey to becoming Australia’s premier destination for business and leisure events. Spanning an impressive 3,500 square meters, this state-of-the-art venue is poised to significantly enhance Brisbane’s appeal to both domestic and international travelers, particularly those involved in the events and conferencing sector.
A First Look at Brisbane’s Largest Ballroom The Event Centre is already making headlines for its scale and sophistication. As part of its offerings, the centre boasts Brisbane’s largest ballroom, a stunning 1,440-seat space that can be divided into five separate areas, making it one of the most versatile venues in the city. This flexibility is key to accommodating a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale international conferences.
Complementing the ballroom is a central glass atrium, floor-to-ceiling windows, cutting-edge audiovisual technology, an outdoor terrace, and a pre-function bar with picturesque views of the iconic Story Bridge. The introduction of this venue is expected to “supercharge” Brisbane’s events and conferencing industry, according to Daniel Finch, CEO of The Star Brisbane. Recent data supports this claim, showing that Brisbane has emerged as Australia’s leading ‘bleisure’ capital, where business visitors are spending more time and money compared to other states.
The Event Centre’s unique design and functionality are set to further bolster this trend, offering an unparalleled experience that blends business with leisure. The Impact on Brisbane’s Tourism Sector The opening of the Event Centre is part of the first phase of the staged opening of the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct.
This precinct, encompassing 12.5 hectares, is a massive tourism and entertainment hub that is expected to become a must-visit destination ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Event Centre, alongside other facilities such as the Leisure Deck, Sky Deck, and a signature 5-star hotel, will play a pivotal role in attracting tourists to the region.
For the tourism sector, the implications are profound. The addition of such a large and versatile event space not only enhances Brisbane’s ability to host major events but also strengthens its position as a key player in the global tourism market. Events are a vital contributor to Brisbane’s visitor economy, driving job creation and boosting the local economy.
With the launch of the Event Centre, Brisbane is poised to capture a larger share of the global events market, attracting international conferences, corporate functions, and major cultural events. Bullet Points of Interest: Culinary Excellence to Elevate Guest Experience One of the standout features of The Star Brisbane’s Event Centre is its commitment to culinary excellence. Under the direction of Chef Uday Huja, The Star Brisbane’s director of culinary and a former executive chef at The Star Sydney, the Event Centre’s kitchen is set to deliver restaurant-style dining experiences for every event.
The high-tech industrial kitchen, which is half the size of a football field, will serve approximately 140,000 meals a year, showcasing the best of Queensland’s produce. Chef Huja has been deeply involved in the fit-out of the kitchen and the design of the menus, which will focus on local ingredients and innovative culinary techniques. The aim is to make Brisbane even more of a destination by offering exceptional food and wine experiences that support local businesses.
This culinary focus is expected to be a significant draw for event organizers and attendees, enhancing the overall appeal of Brisbane as a destination for high-profile events. The Road Ahead: Phased Opening and Ongoing Development The opening of The Star Brisbane’s Event Centre is just the beginning of a series of developments within the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct. The rollout of new facilities, including restaurants, bars, public spaces, and other attractions, will continue from August into September and throughout 2024.
Finch has emphasized that this phased approach is designed to ensure that every aspect of the precinct is fully operational and that guests have something new to experience with each visit. This strategic opening plan will allow Brisbane to gradually build momentum as it approaches the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. By steadily unveiling new attractions and facilities, the city can continuously engage visitors, encouraging repeat visits and long-term tourism growth.
The Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct, led by the Destination Brisbane Consortium—a joint venture between The Star Entertainment Group and its Hong Kong-based partners, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium—is set to redefine Brisbane’s tourism landscape. Looking Forward: Brisbane’s Future as a Global Events Hub As The Star Brisbane’s Event Centre prepares to open its doors, the tourism sector is closely watching how this new development will influence Brisbane’s position on the global stage. The combination of world-class facilities, cutting-edge technology, and a focus on culinary excellence is expected to attract a diverse range of events, from corporate functions to international conferences and cultural showcases.
For travelers, particularly those involved in the events industry, Brisbane is becoming an increasingly attractive destination. The global effects of this development are significant. As more events are hosted in Brisbane, the city’s profile as a leading destination for business and leisure travel will continue to rise.
This, in turn, will drive further investment in tourism infrastructure, creating a positive feedback loop that benefits both the local economy and the broader travel industry. With the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, Brisbane is poised to enter a new era of tourism and events, with The Star Brisbane’s Event Centre leading the way..
