2021APCS Special Edition Highlights

2021APCS Special Edition - "Redefining Cities through Opportunities and Challenges"

The 2021APCS Special Edition utilised the latest-generation technology, and for the first time, took place in a hybrid format - maintaining a physical presence for local attendees and introducing a virtual format for those outside of Queensland. The Summit welcomed more than 700 physical and virtual delegates representing 74 cities, including 51 Mayors and Deputy Mayors, who also participated in the Mayors' Forum. Through the new virtual platform, the 2021APCS Special Edition succesfully allowed delegates from the Asia Pacific and beyond to participate in the event, despite being unable to attend in person.

Throughout the Summit, physical and virtual delegates made new business connections, engaged in meaningful conversations about healthy, vibrant, connected, and intelligent cities, and heard from inspiring speakers. The 2021APCS offered an extensive program featuring 100 presenters, including keynote speakers: Martin O'Malley, 61st Governor of Maryland and former Mayor of Baltimore and Kurt Fearnley AO, Australian wheelchair racer and three-time Paralympic gold medalist.

The 2021APCS Mayors' Forum enabled Mayors and Deputy Mayors from Australia and across the Asia Pacific to meet virtually and discuss the urban challenges and opportunities facing cities as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with the Summit's sub-themes, while city and business leaders had the opportunity to collaborate on ideas and pathways for cities to move towards recovery in the new world. These discussions were facilitated by Urbis and were incorporated into the 2021APCS Mayors' Accord.

The 2021APCS Special Edition was able to defy the challenges of a global pandemic and brought delegates together to network and exchange ideas on the future of cities will look like.

2021APCS Special Edition in numbers:

717 Delegates (502 Physical/ 215 Virtual)
74 Cities (46 International / 28 Domestic)
51 Mayors and Deputy Mayors (24 International / 27 Domestic)
59 City Leaders (18 International / 41 Domestic)
100 Speakers & Presenters
87 Exhibitors
26 APCS Partners

Program handbook: 2021APCS Special Edition Program Handbook

Event photos: APCS Photo Gallery

Highlights video:

The 2021APCS Special Edition introduced several new initiatives:

Hybrid Virtual Platform was a web-based digital platform which gives virtual delegates access to speaker sessions, networking opportunities, exhibition areas and much more.
Inaugural City Leaders' Forum was an opportunity for city leaders and senior government executives to network with their peers and was comprised of several presentations by industry leaders. A panel session facilitated by Griffith University and the forum was attended by physical and virtual delegates.
Project Showcases were aligned with the sub-themes and were held on Thursday and Friday of the Summit. Delegates heard from industry leaders and experts about innovative and major transformational projects underway in Brisbane including Olympic legacy (speakers from Brisbane, Sydney, London and Tokyo) and opportunities relating to the city-shaping Brisbane Metro project.
Tourism Case Studies provided delegates with the opportunity to study Brisbane and South East Queensland's local tourism strategies and providers who have successfully navigated the current environment.

Be part of the 2023APCS & Mayors' Forum

The 2023 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (2023APCS) & Mayors' Forum will be held in Brisbane, Home of the APCS, from 11-13 October 2023. Under the overarching theme of "Shaping Cities for our Future", the 2023APCS & Mayors' Forum will attract one of the largest and most diverse gathering of city leaders to Brisbane, offering a global gateway and expanded network. Read more