The Committee for Brisbane

What The Committee for Brisbane does

The Committee for Brisbane, legally Brisbane Development Association Inc., is a membership-based civic advocacy organization founded in 1957 and rebranded to its current name in 2018. It brings together business, government, and community leaders to advance thought leadership, advocacy, and prosperity for the Brisbane city-region through policy submissions, research reports, sub-committee work, and a calendar of events. The organization employs approximately 26 staff and operates from Brisbane CBD, with a leadership team comprising a CEO, an elected Management Committee (President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer), and an Advisory Council of senior Queensland figures.

The Committee's core offerings consist of five membership tiers (Corporate Leader at $20,000 per annum capped at 25 paying entities, Corporate Member at $5,000, Enterprise Member at $2,500, Associate at $150, and Student at $50), a research and policy publication program (including the Inner-City Vitality Report series, Brisbane 2033 Olympics and Paralympics Legacies Paper, and SEQ Data Community Paper), and a sub-committee and taskforce structure spanning six strategic pillars (City Vision, Games Legacy & Growth, Transport Logistics & Mobility, #BIG Brisbane Idea Generators, Waterways at the Heart, and Connectivity/Creativity/Equity/Enterprise). In 2025, the organization delivered more than 26 events attended by nearly 3,000 people.

The Committee receives no government funding, deriving its revenue entirely from membership fees and event income (ticketed events, sponsorships, and venue partnerships with organizations such as Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre). This funding model underpins its stated independent and apolitical position. Its members include major Queensland employers and institutions such as PwC, Accenture, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Brisbane Airport Corporation, RACQ, Transurban, QUT, University of Queensland, and Star Entertainment Group. Strategic partners include the H2Q Hydrogen Industry Cluster, Housing Action Lab, Queensland Response and Recovery Coalition, BEDA, and Brisbane Open House. The organization positions itself as a partner to all three levels of government—Federal, State (Queensland), and Local (Brisbane City Council and Council of Mayors SEQ)—on urban planning, infrastructure, and Olympic legacy matters.

Name

The Committee for Brisbane

Legal name

Brisbane Development Association Inc.

Website

https://committeeforbrisbane.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Committee for Brisbane is a 68-year-old member-funded civic advocacy organization that brings together business, government, and community leaders to influence urban policy, Olympic legacy planning, and liveability outcomes for the Brisbane city-region through membership programs, research, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Advocacy Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meeting & Conference Planning & Coordination (HSACADAA), Regional/Field Leadership Meetings (Territory/Market Summits) (THAHAMAK)

Keywords

• Civic advocacy services
• Urban development advocacy
• Policy research reports
• Membership networking events
• City government relations

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from Corporate Leaders ($20,000), Corporate Members ($5,000), Enterprise Members ($2,500), Associates ($150), and Students ($50). The organization receives no government funding, which enables it to maintain its independent and apolitical position.
2. Event Revenue: Income generated from ticketed events, sponsorships, and partnerships with venues like Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Events include panel discussions, launches, networking sessions, and policy forums.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Committee for Brisbane is a membership-based civic advocacy organization that brings together business, government, and community leaders to advance thought leadership, advocacy, and prosperity for the Brisbane city-region. Its core offerings are tiered membership programs (Corporate Leader, Corporate Member, Enterprise Member, Associate, and Student), an annual calendar of more than 26 events attended by nearly 3,000 people, and proprietary policy research including the Inner City Vitality Report series and the Brisbane 2033 Olympics and Paralympics Legacies Paper. The organization also facilitates sub-committees and taskforces focused on strategic areas including connectivity, creativity, equity, and enterprise.

Product overview

The Committee for Brisbane is a membership-based civic advocacy organization that brings together business, government, and community leaders to advance thought leadership, advocacy, and prosperity for the Brisbane city-region. The organization does not offer a traditional product or software platform. Its core offerings consist of membership programs at multiple tiers, organizing over 26 annual events attended by nearly 3,000 people, producing policy papers and research reports (including the Inner City Vitality Report series and the Brisbane 2033 Olympics Legacies Paper), and facilitating sub-committees and taskforces focused on strategic areas including connectivity, creativity, equity, and enterprise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Programs Tiered annual membership offering for corporations, SMEs, and individuals seeking access to the Committee's advocacy agenda, networking events, and policy development participation. Five tiers are available: Corporate Leader (AUD $20,000), Corporate Member (AUD $5,000), Enterprise Member (AUD $2,500), Associate (AUD $150), and Student (AUD $50). Limited to 25 paying Corporate Leader members plus up to 5 pro bono members.
• Events and Forums

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 26 events with nearly 3,000 attendees in 2025, demonstrating network strength and engagement
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• H2Q Hydrogen Industry ClustercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2021H2Q is a not-for-profit group formed to support development of the Queensland hydrogen ecosystem. The Committee for Brisbane is a founding member. H2Q received seed funding from NERA (National Energy and Resources Australia) and is Queensland's largest hydrogen industry group with 40 formal participating organizations and 200+ affiliated enterprises. The partnership supports the Committee's climate change policy objectives around renewable energy and economic development.
• Housing Action LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to tackle homelessness in the Brisbane region. QShelter provides seed funding and the Committee for Brisbane taps into its membership to identify motivated members with homelessness action as part of their CSR agenda. Business Models Inc provides strategic planning methodology. The project brings together business and community leaders to develop transformative housing solutions.
• Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCEC selected as preferred events venue following a call for proposals from four Brisbane venues. BCEC provides food and beverage, audio visual, and management support services for the Committee's larger scale events. The partnership ensures high-standard event delivery for 400+ person events.
• Queensland Response and Recovery Coalition (QRRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of 20+ peak bodies and industry groups formed out of a cross-industry meeting coordinated by the Committee for Brisbane in late March 2020. Members include Australian Industry Group, Property Council of Australia, Engineers Australia, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, and others. The QRRC provides coordinated strategic advice to state government on economic recovery and long-term success.
• Brisbane Open HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partnership with Brisbane Open House to present the Great Debate fundraiser and series of hot topics talks. Brisbane Open House launched a new year-round program offering immersive experiences. Proceeds from Brisbane Open events fund the popular free Brisbane Open House weekend festival.
• BEDA (Brisbane Economic Development Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong and mutually beneficial relationship. Both organizations are leaders in their fields working together to advance Brisbane's reputation as Australia's best place to invest, live, work, and play. BEDA and Committee for Brisbane collaborate on economic development initiatives and city advocacy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Committee for Perth: Perth's city-focused civic advocacy organization using a comparable member-led model to convene business, government, and community leaders around urban policy and liveability - the same operational template as the Committee for Brisbane.
• Committee for Sydney: Sydney's equivalent civic membership advocacy organization, bringing together business, government and community leaders to shape the city's future. Operates the same member-tier model focused on urban policy, thought leadership, and convening leadership on city-defining issues.
• Committee for Melbourne: Melbourne's parallel civic membership organization with a near-identical mandate around urban liveability, advocacy, and thought leadership. Closely comparable in membership tiers, event programming, and policy paper outputs.

Broad incumbents

• Property Council of Australia: National industry association representing Australia's property industry, with active Queensland division. Comparable as a member-funded advocacy organization with tiered membership, policy papers, and government access - though industry-specific rather than city-specific.
• CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia): National economic policy think tank operating a broader, Australia-wide membership model with similar event and policy content. Overlaps significantly on advocacy and thought leadership but lacks the city-specific focus that defines the Committee for Brisbane.
• Australian Industry Group: National peak employer organization representing businesses across industries with Queensland operations. Comparable as a member-driven advocacy body producing policy submissions and convening leadership, but at national rather than city scale.

Regional players

• Tourism Industry Council Queensland: State-level industry advocacy body for Queensland tourism operators. Comparable member-funded advocacy model with policy submissions and events, but industry-specific rather than city-wide civic.
• Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA): Brisbane's official economic development agency and acknowledged Committee for Brisbane collaborator. Operates in the same city-region and on overlapping themes (investment, liveability, economic prosperity) but is government-funded rather than member-funded.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/committeeforbrisbane

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Committee for Brisbane