Bermuda is bidding to host the annual Global Entrepreneurship Congress in 2018, the Senate heard this morning.

The GEC has been hosted by Kansas City, Dubai, Shanghai, Liverpool, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow and Milan since its creation in 2009.

“Future congresses will be held in Medellin, Colombia, in 2016 and Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2017, with 2018 currently up for grabs,” Michael Fahy, the Minister of Home Affairs, told senators.

The 2018 GEC will run from March 12 to 15 in 2018.

Senator Fahy said that the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) had a team drafting Bermuda’s proposal to host the congress, headed by Nicholas Kempe, the chairman of the BEDC.

According to Sen Fahy, at least 1,500 to 1,800 people would visit the Island if the GEC was secured. If achieved, this would be the largest conference hosted in Bermuda.

A conservative estimate of total spending on the Island during the congress is $1.5 million, Sen Fahy added.

The formal bid proposal will be submitted by February 15, 2016.

“The America’s Cup is bringing new prominence to Bermuda’s attractions, and the ability for the Island to successfully execute large-scale events,” the minister said.

“As such, hosting the congress in March 2018 allows Bermuda to capitalise off the success of the America’s Cup in 2017, leverage infrastructure that will already be in place, while bringing a substantial event to our shores during the Arts and Culture season, historically a slower time for the Island.”

Anyone wishing to assist with the bid is invited to contact Mr Kempe at chairman@bedc.bm.