Brisbane’s Royal International Convention Centre (RICC) at the RNA Showgrounds will be home to the first and largest ‘developing unconventional gas’ conference held outside the US this August.
DUG Australia 2013 will be held from August 26-29 and is set to attract 750 delegates and inject approximately $1.5 million into the local economy.
The developing unconventional gas industry refers to natural gas resources trapped in coals, shales and tight sands.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the announcement of DUG Australia, a major international conference was great timing for Brisbane, and for the soon-to-be opened Royal International Convention Centre at the RNA showgrounds.
Cr Quirk congratulated all involved in securing the conference, including Brisbane Marketing’s Convention Bureau and the Royal International Convention Centre.
“Brisbane is an important hub for the gas industry in Australia, with many international gas company head offices in the city,” Cr Quirk said.
“Brisbane’s world-class business facilities mean we are a leading destination for high profile business events and this announcement only strengthens that reputation both nationally and internationally.”
RNA Chief Executive Brendan Christou said this was the second international conference the RNA had secured for next year.
“We are thrilled to host these major international conferences in our brand new convention centre which opens in March,’’ he said.
“Following the DUG conference, hundreds of delegates will descend on RICC next October for the four day International Society of City and Regional Planners conference which will generate at least $1.2 million for the economy.
“Securing these conferences is testament to the fact that Brisbane is being recognised internationally as Australia’s new world city.
“In the past six months the RNA has taken RICC to the world, including major convention and expo conferences in Frankfurt and this week in Las Vegas.”
Mr Christou said RICC was Australia’s newest convention centre currently under construction and offered state of the art facilities coupled with five star service.
“The RNA Showgrounds is Brisbane’s biggest indoor /outdoor events venue and attracts a million visitors a year.”
DUG Australia will be run by Houston-based company Hart Energy and was announced at the DUG Eagle Ford conference and exhibition in Texas this week.
Hart Energy CEO Richard A. Eichler was very excited to bring DUG ‘Down Under.’
“These conferences are well known for their world-class programs and content, and DUG Australia will feature the best senior-level speakers from the oil and gas industry.
DUG Australia brings market-leading insight on unconventional resources — coal-seam gas (CSG), shale gas, shale oil, and tight sands — and their development in Australia.
