The Gold Coast’s growing reputation for hosting world class business conferences has been boosted further with the city named as the winning bid for a global communications event expected to attract more than 2000 delegates and return an AUD$8 million economic impact.
Gold Coast Business Events partnered with Tourism and Events Queensland and the local academic community to secure the lucrative hosting of the 70th Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference in May 2020.
Director of Gold Coast Business Events Anna Case said securing this event was a real coup for the Gold Coast and demonstrated the destination’s capacity to host major international conferences.
“ICA was seeking a destination that would make their members’ eyes light up and the Gold Coast undoubtedly has that unique appeal to international delegates,” she said.
“We met the key criteria – such as easy and affordable accessibility, world-class meeting facilities and reasonably priced accommodation. We were also able to demonstrate the availability of a strong support team on the ground and our relationship with a thriving local academic community”.
ICA is an academic association for scholars interested in the study, teaching and application of all aspects of human and mediated communication and currently has 4500 members in 80 countries.
The bid had strong support from South East Queensland universities and was championed by Gold Coast Business Events Ambassador, Professor Terry Flew.
“Professor Terry Flew, with the support of Queensland University of Technology and in collaboration with colleagues at University of Queensland, Griffith University, Bond University and Southern Cross University recognised the benefits of hosting this conference on the Gold Coast and worked hard to make it happen.”
”The conference will be a major contributor to the Gold Coast’s economic and intellectual capital, fostering fresh ideas and conversations, as well as a direct economic contribution into the business events and tourism industry.”