Brisbane 2032: Preparing Australia’s Gateway for the Olympic Decade

At this Member Boardroom Roundtable, Gert-Jan will outline how Brisbane Airport Corporation is aligning strategy, infrastructure, workforce and brand to leverage the Olympic decade — preparing not only for the Games, but for sustained growth and stronger global positioning beyond 2032.

As Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Brisbane Airport will play a defining role as Australia’s primary gateway to the world — the first “hello” and the last “goodbye” for millions of visitors. In the lead-up to this global event, the airport is undergoing significant transformation to meet the demands of increased passenger traffic, global attention, and long-term economic growth.

OUR GUEST SPEAKER

Gert-Jan de Graaff was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Ltd in June 2018.

In addition to his role with Brisbane Airport Corporation, Gert-Jan also holds several current Board positions, including: Director on the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Board; Director on the Australian Airports Association Board; Director on Tourism and Events Queensland

Board; Member of the Australian Border Force Customs Advisory Board; and a Member of the Australian Jet Zero Council.

Gert-Jan has more than 25 years' experience in leadership roles at major airports around the world. He started his career in airport management in 1995 with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in The Netherlands where he had management positions in the commercial, finance and strategic departments. 

In 2005 Gert-Jan de Graaff was appointed as Managing Director of ASDC AB, the Company that manages and develops the commercial activities in the terminals of Stockholm-Arlanda Airport in Sweden. 

Between 2007 and 2012 Gert-Jan held senior roles with Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Ltd, including Executive General Manager Commercial Services and Executive General Manager Strategic Planning & Development. 

Prior to his return to Brisbane Airport in 2018 Mr de Graaff lead the bid for Galeão / Rio de Janeiro Airport in Brazil on behalf of Royal Schiphol Group and his most recent position was President & CEO of JFKIAT LLC, the private operators of Terminal 4 at John F Kennedy International Airport since 2014. 

Previous Board appointments include the position of Chair of Airport Coordination Netherlands, and Board Memberships with Airports Council International North America (WBP), Air Cargo Netherlands, Cargonaut BV, and several tourism and investment attraction agencies.