The group of 19 BE Connected Gold Coast ambassadors were acknowledged at an Experience Gold Coast gala event on 7 November, 2024, at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

Gold Coast Mayor and BE Connected Gold Coast patron Tom Tate applauded all BE Connected ambassadors – comprising the city’s industry leaders, thought leaders and innovators – who are helping attract meetings and conferences to the city.

“These 19 extraordinary people work with us to expand the program and promote the city as a place to do business and exchange knowledge through meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions,” he said at the gala.

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn also congratulated the ambassadors for their support of the region’s business events sector.

“BE Connected Gold Coast forms part of our strategy to drive a more sustainable visitor economy of the future and generate legacies that drive long-term sustainable growth for the city,” he said on the night.

“Our ambassadors not only bring conferences to the city, but shine a spotlight on some of the incredible innovations and breakthroughs happening here – whether it’s launching a rocket into space, creating a vaccine or using AI to reduce accidents on our roads.”

Among the ambassadors, three received distinguished awards for their commitment to business events, including Professor Dzung Dao who helped secure two events for the Gold Coast with an estimated economic impact of $1 million.

Bids secured include two international events, the 27th World Micromachine Summit 2024 and Asia Pacific Conference of Transducers and Micro-Nano Technology (APCOT) 2028.

Adam Gilmour and James Gilmour, from Gilmour Space Technologies, were also acknowledged for their entrepreneurship and innovation as they prepare for their upcoming rocket launch in Queensland.

“Our ambassadors are critical to connecting our team to the right decision makers, and their knowledge and networks are vital to winning a conference, especially international conferences,” says Experience Gold Coast’s director of business events, Brooke Campbell.

“Griffith University mechanical engineer Professor Dzung Dao is a great example of an individual partnering with Experience Gold Coast to not only bring events to our city, and contribute to the visitor economy, but to showcase the city’s expertise in engineering and creating a legacy in this field.”