“Brisbane will keep the pressure on in key areas of infrastructure, planning, investment and sustainability in the face of the economic crisis”, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said today.

In a national first, Brisbane is hosting the State of the Capital Conference on March 18 2009 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The event will spur interest and debate on key economic indicators, such as investment, trade, planning and infrastructure, as well as explore how the city is currently perceived in Australia and the world.

The Conference will feature some of Brisbane’s thought leaders and power brokers, such as Professor Brendan Gleeson from Griffith University, Professor Peter Newman from Curtin University and Board Member of Infrastructure Australia, Steve Greenwood from Property Council of Australia, Cr Jane Prentice from Brisbane City Council, and national tourism expert, Chris Brown from TTF.

The conference will also commemorate the first 12 months of Campbell Newman’s second term as Lord Mayor of Brisbane.

“There is no better time than now to examine our challenges and constraints while the world is riding out the economic storm,” Campbell Newman said.

“The economic decisions we make today will have enormous long-term implications on the prosperity of this great city and this event will help to turn the spotlight on those most vital issues affecting Brisbane now and in the future.

“There’s no doubt Brisbane is in a position of strength, and I intend to create opportunity for Brisbane in this global downturn, to ensure growth and high standards of living.”

“I look forward to delivering my address outlining the vision for the city’s economic development, investment and trade outlooks.

The State of the Capital Conference is a partnership between CEDA, Brisbane City Council and Invest Brisbane, a division of Brisbane Marketing.

Brisbane Marketing CEO, John Aitken said the State of the Capital Conference provides an opportunity to hear and react to the opinions of key political and business leaders, academics and industry experts on Brisbane’s economic status.

"The conference will look at how Brisbane can continue to grow and diversify its economy so it can compete with the emerging new order of global cities,” Mr Aitken said.

“Brisbane is a new world city, which brings the challenge of maintaining balance between growth, development and lifestyle. We hope the conference will engage with the business, government and academic community for debate on these topical economic issues.”

The Conference is also the platform for launching the Brisbane Economic Annual, produced by Invest Brisbane.

“The 2008 Annual combines independent expert opinion, with key economic indicators to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the Brisbane market,” Mr Aitken said.

The conference will feature presentations on a range of topics, including:
• economic, business, trade and investment opportunities as well as the constraints on business development
• sustainability, planning and infrastructure challenges
• how the city is currently perceived in Australia and in the world the social, cultural and intellectual life of the city

The first morning session will focus on what is required to move Brisbane ahead of the pack - what makes a global city. The second morning session will analyse the hard and soft infrastructure required to assist Brisbane reach its economic potential and what is holding Brisbane back from becoming a global city.

- ENDS -

Full list of speakers:
• Cr Jane Prentice, Chairman, Public and Active Transport and Economic Development Committee and Asia Pacific Cities Summit Steering Committee, BCC
• Professor Peter Newman, Curtin University and Board Member of Infrastructure Australia
• Chris Brown, Managing Director, Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF)
• Dr Alison Taylor, Manager Demographic and Housing Research, Department of Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Government
• Professor Brendan Gleeson, Director, Griffith University & Urban Land Development Authority
• Steve Greenwood, Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
• Professor O. Yul Kwon, Director, Australian Centre of Korean Studies, Griffith University
• Moderator – Lisa Millar, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Journalist and previous Foreign Correspondent in North America
• John Aitken, Chief Executive Officer, Brisbane Marketing
Media enquiries:

Elisabeth Topham
Communication and Media Advisor – Business and Corporate
p: 07 3006 6263
m: 0402 792 264
e: etopham@brisbanemarketing.com.au

Yin Khvat
Media Advisor
Office of the Lord Mayor
p: 07 3403 5281
m: 0409 876 317
e: yin.khvat@brisbane.qld.gov.au

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