Lord Mayor’s Business Awards finalists announced
Brisbane firms with an eye on the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are among the more than 40 finalists in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Business Awards. See who made the list.
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Brisbane firms with an eye on the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are among the more than 40 finalists in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.
In a sign of the diverse opportunities the Olympics will provide, sport stadium designers Populous, street art creative agency Vast Yonder and First Nations property services company Multhana are among the finalists.
Each has cited the 2032 Games as a chance to enhance Brisbane’s sporting, cultural and innovation reputation.
Global stadium design company Populous, which has its Asia Pacific operations based in Brisbane, is one of four finalists in the HSBC Award for Excellence in International Business.
They have worked on the Sydney and London Olympic Games, advised the Paris 2024 bid team, and worked on the redevelopment of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Senior principal Chris Paterson said a new theory of “embracing the temporary”, rather than building permanent facilities, would be critical to ensuring Brisbane 2032 provides a lasting legacy.
“This is an opportunity to create dedicated precincts in industries like technology or innovation which not only showcase skills, but which are also beacons for trade and investment opportunities,” he said.
“It is also about showcasing Queensland arts, culture, education, skills, safety, business, trade and tourism.
“If you look at what’s happened with the Queen Elizabeth II Pavilion after the London 2012 Games, it has become a design and cultural space for young Londoners to develop their creative skills.
“All the venues in south east Queensland will provide positive future outcomes for the community and legacy is driving the thinking when it comes to venues and new infrastructure.”
Mr Paterson said there was a growing sports tech industry in south east Queensland, powered by universities and research companies.
He said Brisbane 2032 could be the “launch pad for a range of new innovative Queensland businesses, products and services that go on to export their success long after the Games”.
“Esports and extreme sports are driving the need for venues to adapt for a whole new range of activities,” he said.
“We are seeing different venue models being integrated into existing precincts, like Fortress Melbourne ... our design of this purpose-built gaming and esports venue is the anchor tenant in a multi-level shopping centre that has a mix of hospitality, retail and entertainment within an esports venue.”
Commercial property services company Multhana, a finalist for Outstanding Social Enterprise Award, was founded by Jirrabal and Juru man Joseph Wallace to support the ongoing employment of Indigenous and socio-economically disadvantaged people.
It currently employs more than 250 staff.
Vast Yonder is behind Brisbane’s popular street art festivals including Yonder Festival and the Brisbane Street Art Festival.
It has been nominated for the Outstanding Micro Business Award, having delivered more than 250 murals across the city and provided opportunities for 1500 artists.
This year’s Lord Mayor’s Business Awards received the highest number of nominations in its 17-year history, with finalists representing a range of industries including sustainability, healthcare and technology. Circonomy, the social enterprise organisation behind the World’s Biggest Garage Sale, is a finalist in three categories.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the awards showcased some of the most exciting, innovative and creative businesses in Brisbane.
“Our city’s economic growth is driven by innovative businesses doing exciting things now, but with an eye to the future,” Cr Schrinner said.
“These awards recognise the city’s most exciting entrepreneurs and businesses who are creating jobs, improving lives and shaping the city’s future. Having seen the calibre of this year’s finalists, the opportunity for growth in Brisbane is limitless.”
Winners will be announced at the 2022 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards gala event on October 21.
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