Brisbane secures congress for 2014

Convention and Exhibition Centre has been chosen to host the 29th International Horticultural Congress in 2014.

The six-day Congress is expected to attract more than 2,000 international delegates from 100 countries and will generate an estimated US$5.3 million for the local economy. Brisbane was named as the host city by the International Society of Horticultural Science at a meeting in Seoul. Brisbane Convention Centre general manager Robert O'Keeffe said: "BCEC is the venue for many high-profile scientific meetings that not only generate significant economic benefit, but also facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise on a global scale." In recent months BCEC has won the right to host nine new international conventions worth more than US$20.2 million and bringing thousands of international visitors to Brisbane. Paul Lewin, director of business development for Brisbane Marketing said: "This latest win is an example of the way the city's major stakeholders work together to ensure a successful outcome for all parties." This is only the second time the IHC has been held in the Southern Hemisphere after being held in Sydney in 1978.