Venue update
New hotels , rebrands and new venues are coming online at a rapid rate as the clock ticks down to the 2018 Commonwealth Games .
A new $ 35 million multi-purpose venue , Coomera Indoor Sports Centre , has opened . The complex will also be able to accommodate large business events and exhibitions .
Miami Marketta , an open air laneway precinct with seating for 750 people undercover , comes alive with street food from all around the world , complete with desert hall and cocktail bar every weekend . It ’ s now available for conference groups to create their own exclusive Marketta Street Food Event throughout the week .
Sea World has also opened its latest meeting space , the Sea World Plaza . Located on the middle of the theme park , Sea World Plaza is a fully covered al fresco venue offering 1500sqm of space .
Rhapsody Resort is the latest hotel to open in the heart of the Gold Coast . The resort offers 227 apartments , an event space on the 27 th floor and 41 st floor sky deck that can accommodate around 100 delegates for cocktail functions . AccorHotels has also upped its presence on the Gold Coast with the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Surfers Paradise to be rebranded Novotel Surfers Paradise .
cancellations ,” says GCCEC general manager Adrienne Readings .
Some of the high profile conferences secured include the 2018 International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication conference . ( 1200 delegates ) and the 2017 IEEE International Communications Energy Conference ( 700 delegates ).
Domestic business continues to exceed expectations , with many coming back for more . The Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians ( ACSEP ) is set to return to the city for the next two years following the success of this year ’ s conference .
According to ACSEP national programs manager , Georgie Jackson , the allure of
a Gold Coast summer for international delegates and key note speakers , as well as the opportunity to link the conference to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games , influenced the decision to return to the city .
“ We had a great experience on the Gold Coast earlier this year and this is a unique opportunity for the global sport and exercise medicine community to come together around the time of a large scale sporting event ,” says Jackson . “ This provides a positive , physically active platform – linked with the values of ACSEP .”
The association was also influenced in its choice by the ease of travel – with direct flights now offered from New Zealand .
Case says the association ’ s return to the Gold Coast was a logical choice .
“ It really is a wonderful compliment for a destination when an organisation chooses to meet here for three consecutive years , the simple fact is that their delegates love returning to the Gold Coast ,” she says .
“ The Gold Coast is constantly reinventing itself and continually offering ways for conference organisers to develop an enticing program – which blends world class venues , beach and wilderness to create a memorable experience .”
www . cimmagazine . com Convention & Incentive Marketing , Issue 7 , 2016 23