Australia's Gold Coast Makes Good Business Sense

[newsroom]

Australia's Gold Coast is a premier business events destination, enticing corporations and associations from around the world to achieve business outcomes in a city which has been built to deliver lifelong experiences.

Traditionally celebrated by holiday makers for its spectacular natural environments and variety of man made attractions, the Gold Coast’s leisure assets are now key drivers in the city’s popularity with corporate delegates seeking a multidimensional business event experience.

Impressively modern convention and event facilities are only the starting point on Australia’s Gold Coast. As a matter of course, the infrastructure and professional support services of the region are the equal of any other city in the world, however the Gold Coast is in rare company when it comes to the overall experience provided.

No where else will you be able to integrate a business event with 70 kilometres of pristine coastline, 100,000 hectares of world heritage listed rainforest, more theme parks than anywhere else in the southern hemisphere, private islands, 500 kilometres of canals, 800 accommodation venues and more than 600 restaurants and cafes, all within 40 minutes drive of each other.

This duality of infrastructure and attractions which cater for both the leisure and meeting segments has placed the Gold Coast as one of the more desired resort destinations and one that is firmly implanted in the minds of corporate planners.

Australia’s Gold Coast has everything to make any business event a major success and as an evolving, flexible destination, any offer can be tailored to the specific requirements of PCO’s and event organisers.

The business events proposition for the region has been enhanced in the more recent past by the incorporation of many new and improved facilities.

Pivotal to the ongoing viability of the Gold Coast as a destination of choice among corporate decision makers, has been a $40 million extension of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) which has virtually tripled the region’s capacity to handle large conferences, incentives, exhibitions and special events.

The refurbished GCCEC has a total ground floor exhibition capacity of 10,000 square metres that is supported with appropriate amenities and kitchen facilities.

In fact the City can now host delegations of up to 3500 people and can service other major meetings, conferences, exhibitions and incentive packages concurrently.

It’s no wonder with such a greater business events portfolio, Gold Coast Tourism, through the Gold Coast Convention Bureau, has intensified its bidding arsenal in order to attract more major association and corporate event activity in to the region.

Complementing this outward profile facelift for the Gold Coast has been an ongoing $100 million redevelopment of the City’s International airport.

Once completed in 2010, the terminal will be the largest purpose-built facility in Australia designed to cater for low cost airlines and their passengers.

Value for money, cost effectiveness and flexibility are three major considerations that the Gold Coast can offer during your next corporate activity.

Leisure activities that continue to strengthen the Gold Coast’s reputation as an incentive travel and partner program hot spot and a favourite for pre and post conference activity is further enhanced by the integration of many new corporate meeting venues and accommodation outlets.

An amazing addition to the Warner Bros. Movie World theme park has seen the erection of an expansive 4000 square metre roof that provides for an all-weather facility with seating capacity for up to 2000 guests.

This particular meeting space has its own unique themes derived from the movie set persona and has proven a perfect venue for large scale meetings, formal functions and mini trade shows.

Theme park entertainment and Hollywood style surrounds are an added bonus, which provide that extra special touch to any corporate occasion.

Memorable meetings and formal gatherings are also easily achievable through the McLarens Landing and Tall Ships Island Paradise offering that has now doubled its event footprint to enable catering for up to 2000 guests.

Complete with extensive courtyard paving throughout natural bushland, plus an extended beach area for waterfront group dining, makes this a very unique package available exclusively on the Gold Coast.

But if the desire is for closer proximity to the GCCEC, within the cosmopolitan hub of Broadbeach, the $70 million casino, accommodation and conference refurbishment at Conrad Jupiters is in line with the forward thinking of Gold Coast operators to ensure continued growth of business events activity within the region.

Also within walking distance of the GCCEC is the recently opened Meriton Gold Coast serviced apartments that offer a wide selection of studio, one, two and three bedroom configurations that are already proving extremely popular among visiting delegates.

For dining with a difference in Broadbeach, a $5 million refurbishment of Dracula’s Cabaret Restaurant ensures comfortable seating for large groups in the theatre auditorium or while in Surfers Paradise, delegates are encouraged to pop by the Gold Coast’s largest show kitchen which is part of a $1 million revamp of Waves Restaurant at the Watermark Hotel and Spa.

For those keen to mix business with pleasure there’s the opportunity to tee off at one of more than 40 championship golf courses on the Gold Coast.

Still reeling from a $10 million expansion of dining, lifestyle and event facilities, the popular RACV Royal Pines Resort has become an even more appealing option.

Further upgrades of the resort’s Convention Centre will improve conferencing options and ensure this location will remain a genuine consideration for golf conscious corporates.

Partner programs on the Gold Coast are an even more attractive option thanks to the retail rejuvenation provided by the extensive additions at Marine Mirage and the Robina Town Centre.

Complementing the established success of the Harbour Town factory outlet and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, this rejuvenated complex duo has taken little time to cement their credentials among the shopping heart beat of the Gold Coast.

Marina Mirage is Queensland’s finest waterfront shopping and dining resort situated directly opposite the five star Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa and adjacent to the world’s first Palazzo Versace Hotel.

With stunning new looks, enhanced list of resident Australian and International designer fashion stores and idyllic waterfront location, Marina Mirage is destined to exceed the bench mark for luxury shopping, dining and lifestyle experiences in Queensland.

Similarly Robina Town Centre’s massive overhaul, making it the largest shopping centre in Queensland, has created a wealth of shopping choices and is now home to the Gold Coast’s only David Jones department store as well as Big W, Target, Kmart, Coles, two Woolworths Supermarkets and more than 300 specialty stores.

The centre is home to a new world class fashion mall featuring some of Australia’s most iconic brands, boasts a massive 900 seat Food Atrium with a choice of 14 dining options, event cinemas plus an array of restaurants ideally located alongside the picturesque lake which adjoins Robina Town Centre.