Games lure for forums

THE Gold Coast’s status as host city for the Commonwealth Games is proving a big drawcard for lucrative sports and health related conferences.

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games organising committee (GOLDOC) chairman Peter Beattie said 36 conferences booked from 2016 to 2018 were a result of the Games link.

The events’ total attendance is about 14,000 with an economic injection of $30 million – and that is just the start.

A further 10 conferences bringing 2500 delegates and creating an economic boost of $5.5 million are also “in the pipeline”.

Gold Coast Tourism has already heralded the booking of Chinese pharmaceutical giant Infinitus Group which is bringing four waves of staff during a two-week period next May. It is expected about 8000 will attend and is worth $50 million.

Mr Beattie said the conference boost was a direct result of the Games and a key legacy on top of the big exposure boost expected, improved infrastructure, transport system and “supercharged” development.

Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said the conference bookings were a direct result of $300,000 worth of Gold Coast City Council funding allocated last year for targeting sports, health and wellness conventions.

The money was earmarked for maintaining “momentum” post-Games in April, 2018.

“The funding was significant but has now delivered great results,” Mr Winter said.

“The important message is all these decision makers need to have a reason to choose one destination over another and the Commonwealth Games has proven to be an irresistible carrot which will leave a legacy for the Gold Coast for decades to come. The best thing about it is we can choose when they come – not school holidays and not around Christmas.

“They don’t want to come when the prices are higher, they will come when it works best for them and that’s why we love them so much because it fills up visitation between the troughs.”

Events booked in included the Australian Association of Massage Therapists, Australian College of Sports Physicians and Australia and NZ Sports Law.

The Going for Gold Legacy Symposium is being hosted by News Corp Australia, Gold Coast Bulletin and Sky News Australia on October 31 at the Marriott Resort Surfers Paradise. It is a three-hour breakfast brunch event, with tickets $80 per person or $720 per table of 10. For information go to: goldcoastbulletin.com.au/goingforgold