Queensland’s Gold Coast has won the rights to host the SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit next year, with help from the Boosting Business Events Bid Fund Program.
Taking place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in May 2019, the summit will bring more than 1500 international travellers from up to 100 countries to the region.
Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista says the event is a coup for the city and will once again showcase the Gold Coast on a global stage.
“The calibre of the SportAccord delegation is second to none and brings with it further opportunity for the Gold Coast to continue to go from strength-to-strength in our ability to attract and deliver world-class business events,” she says.
“Destination Gold Coast has been pursuing sports-related business events for some time now, and along with the city’s credentials and infrastructure developments, the collaboration between the State Government, the City of Gold Coast, Tourism Australia, and Tourism and Events Queensland on numerous ventures has been phenomenal.
“The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre has been selected as the venue to host the world’s biggest convention for sport events. It is a world-class facility and I thank them for their collaboration and involvement in this partnership.”
The Gold Coast’s bid received funding assistance through the Coalition Government’s Boosting Business Events Bid Fund Program, which was announced in March, as reported by Spice News.
Managed by Tourism Australia, the program sees $12 million made available over three years to help increase the conversion of new business events for Australia.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham congratulated the Gold Coast on securing one of the world’s largest sport and business summits.
“Whilst the Gold Coast is well known as a holiday destination, its world-class facilities also make it an attractive destination for major business events,” he says.
“These types of events inject millions into the local economy and also support local businesses, create local jobs and will ultimately help enhance the Gold Coast’s reputation internationally as a must-visit destination.”
