 
Imagine lying on a deckchair with a cocktail in hand, relaxing by the pool after a day of conferencing. Sounds like a pipe-dream right? Well it’s the norm for business events on the Gold Coast where delegates can make the most of the glorious surrounds.
And there is plenty happening on the Gold Coast which is abuzz with refurbishments, property awards, and new concepts to keep event planners enticed.
The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre was recently awarded the ‘Best Venue for over 500 delegates’ award by Meetings and Events Australia for the third consecutive year. Subsequently the GCCEC has been accepted into the prestigious MEA Hall of Fame and is now the only convention centre in Australia to be currently initiated.
GCCEC’s general manager, Adrienne Readings, said it is a great honour to win this award for the third year running.
“Our centre continues to work well as a team and deliver excellence beyond expectations. We have certainly worked hard towards earning the spot in the MEA Hall of Fame,” she said.
As further proof of its dedication to being the best, delegates who attend conferences or meetings at the award-winning GCCEC can now be connected with high speed wireless broadband internet. GCCEC technical services manager, Nathan Wright, says users can walk around the venue without noticing any chance in connectivity.
“We will basically have the fastest, most expansive wireless network of any convention centre in the country,” he said.
ABOVE: Surfers Paradise Beach, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast. Image courtesy of Murray Waite & Associates. Tourism Queensland.
Q: What is the current status with business tourism on the Gold Coast?
A: The Gold Coast has generated consistent growth in business events and business tourism delegates over recent years; latest reports are no exception, with the Queensland Business Events Survey detailing a 23 per cent increase in delegates and a 32 per cent increase in delegate expenditure for the Gold Coast last year.
It is now a $575 million tourism segment for the city, which achieves over $4.5 billion in total tourist expenditure every year. Gold Coast Tourism aims to achieve another double digit increase in the business tourism segment again this year.
Development is certainly meeting demand at this point with new assets specific for the business tourism segment a key part of the recent investment made by major stakeholders including Dreamworld, Warner Village, Conrad Jupiters Hotel and Casino, Hilton Hotels, Gold Coast International Hotel, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and many more product.
Q: Is this an area in which more growth is needed? If so, what measures would you like toseeimplemented to increase business tourism traffic coming to the Gold Coast?
A: While business tourism is not a new segment for the Gold Coast, it is certainly an area which Gold Coast Tourism has increased its efforts in in recent years. It is the tourism segment where we have the potential for greatest market share growth considering the size of the market in Australia, the level of capital investment relating to this segment in our city, and the Gold Coast’s popularity as a traditional tourist destination, giving us a compelling proposition to potential MICE organisers.
Q: Since coming on board in June, what changes have you made to GCT?
A: It is early days for me, just a few weeks into the role, and there is no urgency for change in an organisation which is achieving steady growth in leisure and business visitation.
As the most significant industry and economic contributor for the city of Gold Coast, tourism has to lead and engage the people and businesses of the region; we have a lot of very important stakeholders which have a claim in the progress of this organisation and this industry. Therefore, as a new CEO I am here to evolve the strategy into its most successful model now and into the future.
Q: What is your vision for the Gold Coast in conjunction with GCT?
A: The Five Year Plan for Tourism on the Gold Coast has positioned us well to drive growth even during the current global economic challenges which have dampened consumer travel spend in our region.
The city continues to be widely confident. For instance, there is an estimated $60 billion in development underway or scheduled on the Gold Coast, we have increased airline services direct into the city from domestic and Asian markets, and our visitor numbers are positive, unlike many other destinations. Therefore, I see a great opportunity for Gold Coast Tourism to strengthen our position in key domestic and international markets in the short term, as preparation for the industry’s upward turn when it comes longer term.
This organisation has an opportunity to lead the further development of tourism industry products and businesses in our city, increasing investment, but just as importantly raising the benchmark of service and delivery in partnership with those already vested in our industry.
And there is obvious potential to increase our balance of business and leisure visitation. Though a traditional holiday destination, the assets which have been developed to attract the holiday maker are of interest to the business event segment also, in fact that is the Gold Coast’s unique proposition. The interest which this destination can offer outside of the convention centre or meeting room, adds real value to any delegate’s time.
Q: In what direction would you like to see Gold Coast business tourism take off in the future?
A: In Australia, the business tourism market is worth around $17 billion. When we began our rejuvenated business tourism strategy in 2005, we had around a two per cent share of the market. By 2010 we intend to have almost 10 per cent, and with the natural and man made assets of our city that is entirely achievable.
The Gold Coast’s leisure assets are key drivers in the city’s popularity with corporates seeking a multidimensional business event experience. As a matter of course, the MICE infrastructure and professional support services of the region are the equal of any other city in the world, however the Gold Coast is in rare company when it comes to the overall experience provided.
Nowhere else in this region can you integrate a business event with 70 kilometres of famous coastline, 100,000 hectares of world heritage-listed rainforest, more theme parks than anywhere else in the southern hemisphere, private islands, 500 kilometres of canals, 800 accommodation venues and more than 600 restaurants and cafes, all within a 40 minutes radius.
Most trips to the Gold Coast involve spending the day soaking up the sun on the picturesque sandy beaches and in the evening soaking up the night life with some cocktails. However, there are many attractions on the Gold Coast that will have your conference delegates getting a different view of the region. Whether it’s from the sea or sky (or from an amusement park) there are plenty of things to keep everyone occupied during those welcome ‘free-time’ sessions between meetings. We have sifted through what’s on offer and made a small selection of activities and attractions to check out the next time you’re in town.
The Spit, Main Beach, Gold Coast. Image courtesy of Murray Waite & Associates. Tourism Queensland.
You have just been given a pre-flight briefing by an experienced pilot and now it’s your turn to hear the engines roar, take hold of the thrust leaver and take-off. The landing gear will start to retract as the tarmac below disappears. It’s now your responsibility to handle the aircraft. Don’t worry, you’re just sitting in a 737 flight simulator and you haven’t actually moved an inch, but it sure did feel like it! Experience what it would be like as a real ‘top gun’ and take a trip to Surfers Paradise Boulevard. For more information go to www.737flightsimulator.com.au.
Situated at Mermaid Beach, Putt Putt Golf has been a local favourite since 1972 and it’s easy to see why! The mini golf course can cater for corporate groups and discounts apply for teams of more than 10 people. Players can make the most of three 18 hole putting courses that include a jungle trail, fun run obstacles and waterways. The course has been designed around tropical gardens, lakes and waterfalls. Putt Putt Golf also has a private event area, The Jungle Retreat, which can be booked out for a group free of charge. The course is open seven days from nine am to 10 pm. For more information, go to www.puttputtgolf.com.au.
Located in the heart of Lamington National Park, the newly opened O’Reilly’s Lost World Spa provides a unique spa experience. The retreat offers seven treatment rooms, a luxurious relaxation area, steam room, and couple’s treatment room. The signature treatment is the vino-therapy which uses the grapes grown at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards. O’Reilly’s also offers corporate retreat conferences in the adjacent Lost World Conference Centre, which is dedicated to hosting outcome-focused conferences, meetings and retreats. The centre is made up of two meeting spaces as well as a pre-function area and terrace. Go to www.oreillys.com.au for more information.
 Take a leisurely boat ride to Stradbroke Island as a pre- or post-conference trip and make the most of the resort’s facilities. Located on the south side of the island and only 40 minutes ferry ride from the metropolis of the Gold Coast, Couran Cove Island Resort offers the perfect escape for a weary delegate. Guests can indulge in treatments in the resort’s day spa, lounge by the pool or rest in the award-winning accommodation rooms. However, if you wanted to bring your meeting or event to the island, this is also possible as the resort offers a range of fully equipped conference rooms. Make your island dream a reality and experience Couran Cove. For more information go to www.couran.com.au
 See the Gold Coast from a different perspective from the basket of a hot air balloon. HOT AIR balloon rides boast of having Australia’s biggest fleet of balloons, and with years of experience the team have specially chosen hot air ballooning inflation locations which provide optimum take-offs to ensure you have an enjoyable flight. This is a great activity for an incentive group or team-building activity and each hot air balloon has room for up to 20 guests. HOT AIR also has a range of tours that can include a champagne breakfast as well as theme park drop offs. Ballooning over the Gold Coast hinterland is a great way to soak up the picturesque scenery and see the region in a new way. For more information about booking, go to www.hotair.com.au .
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