EVENTS CALENDAR THAT PUTS COAST FRONT AND CENTRE
AFTER being in operation for only a year, the new kids on the block, Major Events Gold Coast are quickly making a name for themselves.
Major Events Gold Coast (MEGC), funded by City of Gold Coast, was formed to drive a whole-of-city strategic approach to major event acquisition, management and delivery. Our team is committed to developing a distinctive world class portfolio of events that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable for the city.
Our events’ portfolio is loud and bold, making it a force to be reckoned with in the industry. In just under a year we have delivered three major events resulting in an estimated economic benefit of more than $30m to the city’s economy. We have also contracted more than 60 major sporting, cultural and music events with an anticipated economic benefit of $50m to the city.
Our most recent music festival’s, Blues on Broadbeach and Cooly Rocks On hit the streets of the Gold Coast without missing a beat after both festivals were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Broadbeach was buzzing in May when Blues on Broadbeach showcased an incredible calibre of soulful blues and roots music, which saw attendance of 170,000 over the four days. The festival was the recipient of RISE (Restart Investment to Sustain and Invest) funding from the Australian government allowing MEGC to support the reactivation of the entertainment and live music sector.
From 9-13 June 2021, Cooly Rocks On saw more than 130,000 festival-goers relive the music, memories, and moments from the 50s and 60s as Coolangatta came to life with more than 600 classic cars and a line-up of music and entertainment from the yesteryear. This year’s festival injected an increased economic benefit for the city, with festival-goers filling restaurants, pubs, cafes and hotels.
To date MEGC has supported some of the nation’s biggest sporting, cultural and music events, including Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, which saw record numbers of more than 51,000 visitors, a 10 per cent increase on 2019, The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Barrier Draw, the Australian Swimming Championships, Cooly Classic Ocean Swim and State of Origin III – just to name a few.
I am excited for what the future holds with close to another 100 events planned in the coming year. Over and above this, MEGC has also successfully secured four pinnacle major national and international events for the city that are expected to contribute $200m to the city’s economy in the coming years.
I am determined to help drive economic recovery for the city, while supporting and producing incredible events, ensuring the Gold Coast is positioned as “the ultimate stage” for visitors and event organisers for years to come.
I would like to thank Federal Member Angie Bell for the support she has given MEGC in our first year in supporting our federal funding applications and in particular supporting Surfers Paradise.