Some 7,000 delegates will make their way to the Gold Coast over the next few weeks, injecting A$11 million (US$8.5 million) into the destination’s visitor economy.
This month will see the return of the Australasian Real Estate Convention from May 30-31 with 3,000 delegates expected to attend, in addition to the Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference from May 20-23 with up to 4,000 delegates. Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre will host the two large-scale business events.
The Gold Coast has seen a welcome return of domestic business events since capacity and social distancing restrictions were eased for venues. A pipeline of more than 160 meetings and conferences has also been secured – worth A$184 million – in partnership with the local industry despite the challenging Covid-19 environment.
Destination Gold Coast’s CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the Gold Coast was looking forward to the return of these events after a challenging year, and opined that the industry was headed for a “strong recovery”.
O’Callaghan shared that the Gold Coast has continued to engage with international and domestic conference organisers throughout the global pandemic to lock in these high yielding events for the city. She added that there is a “compelling desire to meet face-to-face”, hence the “pent-up demand for business events will be very strong”.
“We are also actively working with event organisers to confirm an additional A$143 million of conferences and meetings through strategic marketing activities and bid opportunities,” she added.
The Gold Coast attracted almost half of all business events hosted in Queensland in 2019, injecting A$570 million into the economy.
