On Thursday 16 April, we brought together leaders from government, business, sport, and media for the launch of the Ahead of the Game event series at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In a thought-provoking keynote address, the Honourable Tim Mander MP, Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said opportunities abound across the state:

• All industries can benefit – the Games will drive demand for everything from coat-hangers and kilometres of cabling to the over 9,000 whistles procured for the Paris 2024 Games. The Minister pointed to demand for venues, villages, and transport.
• The Minister reaffirmed the Queensland Government’s commitment to SMEs, drawing inspiration from the 80+% local business procurement at the Paris 2024 Games. The Brisbane 2032 Games will leave a legacy of accessibility, skills, IP, and capability for Queensland businesses and Queenslanders.
• Think beyond the immediate supply chain, eg. the need for athletes’ training camps and other activities will mean regional communities can tout their facilities as hubs for smaller countries – not every country can base their camp in Brisbane.

The Minister also joined a panel discussion alongside Rugby Australia Chairman and SSKB CEO Daniel Herbert, Brisbane 2032 Director of Community Affairs Dominique Lamb and News Corp Australia Queensland Managing Director Laura Maxwell, moderated by our CEO Heidi Cooper. The message from the experts was preparation is key:

• Form partnerships or join consortiums to fill capability gaps and reduce risk – don’t feel that you’re too small to participate. Remember even the large proponents for Victoria Park are working in consortiums. Expand your network, join Business Chamber Queensland, partner with a First Nations business or a business from another region.
• Take the time to ‘get your house in order’ now – whether that’s getting on top of your tax debt or making sure you’re in the know when expressions of interest and other procurement opportunities become available.
• Build on the experience of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games – research those businesses that were part of it and get in contact as part of your planning.
• The next decade will be transformative for skills, housing, and building Queensland into a major business hub. Consider what impact that may have on your day-to-day operations.

Thank you to the business owners and leaders who joined us for this event and to our event series partners Australian Made, Constant Contact and The Courier-Mail and our local supporter The Fair Co.

For more information, check out our Ahead of the Game hub.