CHRISTMAS FUNCTIONS & EVENTS GUIDE 2011

GOLD Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter says the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most popular event destinations, attracting a gamut of conferences and meetings from Christmas parties to international corporate congresses.

“Last year the city attracted 1100 domestic and international business events and more than 140,000 delegates attended those meetings,” he says.

“But the number which really speaks volumes about the Gold Coast’s popularity as a business event destination is that we attract 33 per cent more delegates to our business events than any other destination in Queensland and just about anyone else in the country.

“So the Gold Coast’s popularity as a leisure tourism destination is reflected in our ability to not only attract more business events but also our ability to attract a higher ratio of participants to every event.”

Winter says Christmas events attract corporates out of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne who are keen to treat staff to a special end-of-year experience. For companies and their people, the Gold Coast is viewed as a reward for their efforts.

“The Gold Coast is a stage for celebration, whether that’s with friends and family or those people you spend eight hours a day, 260 days a year with at work. And it is the unequalled variety of venues and experiences which makes the Gold Coast Australia’s best destination for corporate Christmas functions and end of year events,” he says.

“Consider the range of unique full-service venues, which are located everywhere from the beachfront, to the hinterland and the theme parks. Add to that the mix of alternative experiences such as cruises, golf courses, attractions, animal sanctuaries, health retreats, theatres, resorts, or restaurants.

“And that is just for the main event, the reason we attract such a high ratio of attendance to business events on the Gold Coast is the pre and post event options. People will come for the corporate event, and stay for all the fun experiences the Gold Coast is famous for.”

Winter says a staff member attending a business event on the Gold Coast will stay an average 6.1 days, by comparison a delegate to a Brisbane function will stay on average just 2.8 days.

“Savvy businesses take advantage of the popularity of the Gold Coast by rewarding their people with a unique end of year celebration in this iconic Australian location. There are many reasons why the Gold Coast is famous for fun,” he says.

Gold Coast Business News brings a showcase of some of the city’s premier venues and top notch catering companies to help ease the stress of preparing for your big soiree.

After what has been an eventful working year in the corporate world, most businesses and their events managers are preparing to organise an end of year celebration that is memorable, relevant and has plenty of razzle-dazzle. Get your copy of Gold Coast Business News August  for the full Christmas Functions & Events Guide - available in more than 450 newsagents.