G20 media centre opens for business

A designated centre for thousands of international journalists covering the Brisbane G20 leaders summit opens for business today.

The purpose-built centre within the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre will be the central hub for up to 3000 domestic and international journalists attending the event.

The influx of media teams could help offset a potential exodus from Brisbane city on the G20 public holiday this Friday, with business owners preparing to take a financial hit.

Premier Campbell Newman will begin a schedule of formal welcomes at the Brisbane International Airport from today as foreign dignitaries arrive.

Mr Newman has this week repeated calls for residents not to be put off by the increased security provisions and see for themselves how the event unfolds in Brisbane city.

He challenged local media to act as ambassadors to their overseas counterparts.

"I've literally said to the local journos, 'show them a good time, reach out to them'," he told ABC radio yesterday.

"Because we're all ambassadors, every Queenslander in the next four to five days is an ambassador for this state and can really be part of projecting what we're about."

Go to 9news.com.au/G20 for all the latest on the summit.