GOLD COAST
Above: Gold Coast from the sky. Right: GCCEC.
Coming of age
New venues, new infrastructure and record numbers of bid wins are lifting the Gold Coast’s reputation as a
business events destination, writes Sheridan Randall.
We saw it in Sydney with the Olympics and
now we are seeing it on the Gold Coast in the
run up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games. A
surge in interest and infrastructure spending
is pushing the Gold Coast to the next level.
highlighted the Gold Coast’s appeal.
Gold Coast Business Events has had its most
successful year on record with a 46 per cent
increase in the value of conferences and
corporate meetings won for the city. Gold Coast
Business Events secured almost $71 million in
conferences for in the 2015-2016 financial year;
up from $48 million the previous year.
“Our signature blend of world class
venues, stunning beaches and hinterland
in a climate that’s as close to perfect as it
gets is well known,” she says. “What has
become increasingly visible is the emerging
sophistication of our cultural scene, fine food
and wine and limitless diversity of offsite
venue options. Our team has been shouting
these attributes from the rooftops and the
results clearly indicate that the message is
being heard.”
Gold Coast Business Events Director Anna
Case says a collaborative approach has
The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition
Centre (GCCEC) has also had a stellar year,
22 Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 7, 2016 www.cimmagazine.com
delivering record results, including its best
fiscal performance for a fourth consecutive
year by contributing $303 million in economic
benefit to the City of Gold Coast – an increase
of 9.8 per cent on the previous year.
The Centre welcomed 102 business events,
including 69 national and international
conventions that attracted 115,505 delegates
for the 2015-2016 financial year. It also grew
its international convention business.
“The figures are especially encouraging
seeing as the venue posted similar
figures to that of last year, in the face of
market challenges and unforeseen event