Brisbane has been selected to host the Annual Meeting of the International Society for Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS 2028).
The conference, held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), will focus on surgical innovation, telehealth, and remote patient management. With Australia’s vast geography and ageing population driving demand for orthopaedic care, the event aims to bridge the gap between metropolitan hospitals and the outback, reducing recovery times and travel costs for regional patients.
The conference is projected to inject approximately A$1.8 million (US$1.2 million) into the local economy and generate over 1,600 visitor nights.
The four-day programme will feature live surgery showcases and explore surgical innovations relevant to athlete recovery ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The successful bid was led by Michael Schuetz, director of the Jamieson Trauma Institute and incoming CAOS president, with support from Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), and Brisbane Economic Development Agency. Schuetz noted that the event will build on Australia’s legacy of remote healthcare, famously pioneered by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Schuetz said: “Our goal is to extend orthopaedic technology beyond the operating theatre, enabling remote monitoring and improving equity in healthcare access.”
In the 2024/25 financial year alone, TEQ-supported bids have secured six major conferences for Brisbane, delivering an estimated A$16.3 million in economic value.
