Gold Coast conferences and events under threat if convention centre not expanded, event host warns

The Gold Coast could face losing its major events and conventions if action isn’t taken shortly, according to a major convention host.

THE Gold Coast risks losing lucrative longstanding major conferences if its Broadbeach facilities are not upgraded and expanded, warns a major convention host.

The Pharmacy Guild has held its annual conference at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) since 2005 with more than 6000 delegates coming each March.

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Pharmacy Guild Queensland event manager Emma Fernance said it had been growing in numbers by five to 10 per cent each year. But for the past two years they have had to erect a marquee next to the GCCEC to serve as a dining area.

A marquee like the one the Pharmacy Guild have to erect next to the Convention Centre at Broadbeach last week. Picture: Jason O'Brien

“We’ve simply run out of space,” she said. “We’ve taken over all the exhibition space which is mainly due to our trade exhibition where we have 450 stands and we can’t fit any more in.”

There was a waiting list for potential exhibitors, which is limiting the revenue they could be earning, she said.

“Because we’ve taken over all of the exhibition space, we’ve had to move our dinner - which is now a street party because it’s a stand-up function - to a venue in The Star because we don’t have the capacity,” she said.

Ms Fernance said “ideally we don’t want to move” and in the short-term may look at erecting another marquee to house its delegates.

But she said they may have to move to Brisbane if the event numbers continue to grow each year.

Cheerleading has also become a major drawcard for the convention centre. Photo: Jerad Williams

The event draws thousands to the Gold Coast. Picture: Jason Edwards

“It’s not a long-term solution, so yes we would absolutely love to see the facilities on the Gold Coast upgraded,” she said. “Otherwise we just won’t be able to fit our event in.”

Other long-term GCCEC conference clients including Gartner and the national All Star Cheer & Dance Championships (AASCF), who hold their event which attracts 10,000 athletes every two years on the Gold Coast. Last year AASCF had to take over the theatre at The Star to house the competitors, which are growing annually.

Ms Fernance’s comments come after the Star Entertainment Group’s $100 million offer to the State Government to fund the convention centre expansion in exchange for gaming exclusivity.

Star Entertainment Group chairman John O'Neill and CEO Matt Bekier. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Star would also contractually commit to its $2 billion Broadbeach Island masterplan as well as revamping the Sheraton Mirage and adding a beach club.

The Star’s offer is contingent upon the government guaranteeing them exclusivity rights and see off gaming rivals enticed to express interest in developing a Global Tourism Hub (GTH).

Tourism Minister Kate Jones who launched the GTH process earlier this year has said she will “have a look” at Star’s offer.

Minister Kate Jones has said she will “have a look” at Star’s offer. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Ms Fernance said an upgrade would be welcomed as the reason the Pharmacy Guild kept coming back every year was the “community feel” of Broadbeach and the amenities it offers.

“Most people stay in the vicinity of the Convention Centre, so when you go out at night to the restaurants you run into people you know,” she said.

“At any other place such as Brisbane, your delegates are spread all over the city.”