COMMONWEALTH VISIT A MASSIVE CITY MILESTONE

LAST week’s Chefs de Mission seminar on the Gold Coast was another important milestone reached in our GC2018 journey.

It gave us the opportunity to show the 130 delegates from the Commonwealth’s 69 nations and territories how advanced we are in our planning through a combination of operational workshops, presentations and venue tours.

It was also great to have the CGF President Louise Martin and chief executive officer David Grevemberg with us and they expressed their confidence of a great Games in 2018.

The Chefs had wonderful visits to our city and were very impressed with everything they heard, saw and experienced.

They have now returned to their homes with a greater knowledge of what to expect at Games time and an even greater anticipation that our Games here on the Gold Coast will indeed be something special.

I say the seminar was a “milestone reached” because, for those of us who have been with GC2018 since the earliest days, it provided real confirmation that the promises made in our bid are all coming to fruition.

We were not only able to demonstrate our advanced planning, but we were able to show our visitors the foundations for an unrivalled Commonwealth Games Village, completed venues that only await their final spit and polish and an excited city that can’t wait for the Games to begin next April.

As I was listening to the various presentations and discussions, knowing that it is all about to become real in 168 days, I reflected on the pride this City has and the great efforts by GOLDOC staff and all stakeholders.