BRISBANE’S premier convention venue is marking its 30th anniversary by investing in Queensland’s scientific future with support for mid‑career researchers to strengthen the state’s fast‑growing bio‑innovation sector.
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) and Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) are rolling out the bursary initiative under a three‑year partnership.
Kym Guesdon, BCEC general manager unveiled the legacy initiative at the recent AIME 2026 in Melbourne.
“For three decades, BCEC has partnered with science leaders to showcase Queensland’s innovation to the world,” Guesdon said. “This 30th birthday initiative honours that legacy by investing in future talent and strengthening the connections between research and industry that drive global impact.”
A long‑standing history of scientific collaboration forms the backdrop to the new bursary programme, which is aimed helping researchers broaden their commercial engagement and deepen ties with the business events industry.
The initiative has been developed through BCEC’s own Convention Advocates Partnership – an invitation‑only group of global experts who have spent more than a decade drawing high‑value conferences to Brisbane.
Since its creation in 2010, BCEC’s Advocates have helped secure 163 national and international conferences, delivering A$358 million in economic benefits and contributing to Brisbane’s emergence as one of the Asia‑Pacific’s most dynamic hubs for science and innovation.
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LSQ represents more than 100 members across Queensland’s life sciences community and is the peak body for medical and agricultural science, investment attraction and industry growth.
Queensland’s life sciences sector now contributes $2.11 billion in gross value, supports 12,400 jobs and generates more than half-a-billion dollars in export value – and LSQ has played a central role in shaping that success.
Professor Trent Munro, chair of LSQ and one of the BCEC Convention Advocates involved in designing the bursary, said the partnership reflected a deep understanding of how scientific progress happens.
BCEC fundamentally understands how research innovation is transferred, and it’s between people, and usually at specific technical conferences.”
– Professor Trent Munro, LSQ chair
“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,” Munro said.
Queensland’s universities, research institutes and industry groups have already built a reputation for strengths in vaccine development, tropical health, agricultural technology and advanced manufacturing. BCEC, managed by Legends Global, has been instrumental in that international positioning by attracting world‑leading congresses to the city, working closely with universities, Brisbane Economic Development Agency, Tourism Events Queensland and Tourism Australia.
Incoming LSQ chair Professor Frank Gannon said the bursary signalled how far the state’s science ecosystem has come. “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.”
– Professor Frank Gannon
Gannon, who has served as a BCEC Convention Advocate, said the centre’s collaborative model has already delivered global benefits. “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.”
