Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones’ ‘aggressive campaign’ to bid for sporting events

A HIGH-POWERED Gold Coast and state delegation aims to lure $60 million in major international sporting events straight after the Commonwealth Games.

A HIGH-POWERED Gold Coast and state delegation aims to lure $60 million in major international sporting events straight after the Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones yesterday revealed a “new aggressive campaign” to bid for some of the world’s leading sports events.

A team comprising staff of Tourism and Events Queensland and Gold Coast Tourism will blitz the annual SportAccord Convention in Bangkok the week after the Games finishes.

The convention sees more than 100 sport codes’ international federations unveil national and international championships up for grabs.

Taking part in a panel segment is Rob Borbidge Chair of Legacy Advisory Committee, GC Mayor Tom Tate (pictured), Host Ticky Fullerton, MP Kate Jones and Bob East from Tourism Australia at the Going for Gold Commonwealth Games Symposium at the Marriott Surfers Paradise. Picture: Adam Head

“Those major events currently held in Europe, America and Asia — we want to poach them and bring them here,” Ms Jones told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“We are going to have this immediate afterglow from the Commonwealth Games and it’s also hot on the heels of us showing to the world we can host one of the largest events in the world.

“The Gold Coast is going to be able to pitch for things we’ve never been able to pitch for before — not only because it has the infrastructure because of the Commonwealth Games but it will have just shown we can do it.”

Seated at front l-r is Penny Fowler from HWT, Robert Thomson the Global CEO of News Corporation, Michael Miller Executive Chairman of News Corp Australia. At back is GC Mayor Tom Tate, Bob East Tourism Australia, Kate Jones Minister for Tourism and the Commonwealth Games, Rob Borbidge, Bernard Salt who is the Keynote Speaker from the Demographics Group, Peter Beattie GOLDOC Chair and Ticky Fullerton from Sky Business News and the Host of the Symposium at the Going for Gold Commonwealth Games Symposium at the Marriott Surfers Paradise. Picture: Adam Head

Targeting the SportAccord was part of a broader campaign with City of Gold Coast to leverage a growing reputation as a world-class event host.

It is understood championships worth upwards of $60m will be targeted and Ms Jones said a week after the Games the Gold Coast would be best placed to capitalise.

“Gold Coast is hot right now, it’s got a new competitive edge — great new sporting infrastructure that’s fit for purpose,” she said.

“We want worldwide championships to national championships — it’s also about saying we are going to have this immediate afterglow from the Commonwealth Games.

Kate Jones MP Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games speaks at the Going for Gold Commonwealth Games Symposium at the Marriott Surfers Paradise. Pics Adam Head

Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said his organisation was part of the delegation and would target events timed to help fill up visitor “shoulders and troughs” on the city calendar.

“It’s a chance for the GC to present its credentials in terms of facilities and capabilities.

“We will have just proven to the world there is a new player on the scene to host big events.

Most importantly it’s a commitment of intent from Government that they will provide funding to go there.

Kate Jones MP Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games speaks at the Going for Gold Commonwealth Games Symposium at the Marriott Surfers Paradise. Picture: Adam Head

“It’s like saying we are now in the game, you are buying into the game,” Mr Winter said.

Events would include world championships, multisport contests.

The pitch will aim to build on the city already hosting the Sudirman Cup Badminton World Team Champs and position Queensland as a premier events destination.