Global HIV Conference Named Best Conference of the Year in Australia

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), in conjunction with the International AIDS Society, took out top honours at the inaugural Australian Business Events Awards.

The 12th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2023) was a transformative event that delivered an enduring legacy for the global HIV community.

IAS 2023 blended cutting-edge science with policy, advocacy and art to trigger real-world change leading to landmark policy shifts, which included the removal of co-payments for HIV medications, reshaping healthcare access globally and the decriminalisation of sex workers in Queensland.

The IAS 2023 Conference brought 5,335 delegates from 139 countries to Brisbane, reaffirming Australia as a global leader in HIV Science.

The Centre supported by BCEC Convention Advocate, Emeritus Professor Charles Gilks, played a key role in securing the Conference for Brisbane and BCEC, backed by the Queensland Government and local host organisation ASHM (Australian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine).
 

Conference Chair, Professor Gilks said, “Everyone who had the opportunity to be part of IAS 2023, knew what a special event they had been privileged to attend. It is great to know we have been recognised as Conference of the Year! This is a great honour and testament to the hard work of all at BCEC who made it such an exceptional event."

Ariane Brusselmans, Director Conferences for the International Aids Society, described the award as wonderful news. “We are delighted that in sharing the innovative ways IAS and its members create legacy, BCEC and IAS have been recognised by the Australian Business Events Association. The ‘Art Meets Science’ legacy activity introduced in Brisbane, has been continued successfully at the 2024 Conference in Munich and looks set to be an ongoing legacy activity in this Conference in the future.”

BCEC General Manager, Kym Guesdon said receiving this outstanding accolade underpins the Centre’s unrelenting commitment to securing high calibre conferences at the cutting-edge of world leading, life changing research.

“The Award recognises the importance of opportunity and legacy and strengthens our focus and drive to continue that path going forward. Business events in Australia are of an extremely high standard and we are exceptionally proud to receive this Award against such strong competition. I would like to congratulate all finalists and award winners.”