Gold Coast Secures Major Global Medical Congress for 2032

The Gold Coast has secured the International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ICSES) for 2032, bringing more than 1,400 of the world’s leading shoulder and elbow surgeons, researchers and medical professionals to the city.

The four-day congress will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in September 2032, timed to align with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is expected to attract delegates from North and South America, Europe and Asia, generating an estimated $6.5 million for the city.

Experience Gold Coast Director of Business Events Andrea Molnar said securing ICSES was a significant win for the Gold Coast with benefits extending well beyond its economic impact.

“What makes this congress particularly exciting is its timing” Ms Molnar said.

“As a host region for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Gold Coast will be at the centre of global conversations around sport, performance, health, innovation and legacy.

“Hosting ICSES in 2032 gives us an opportunity to build on the investment, expertise and international connections generated by the Games and create benefits that extend well beyond the event itself.”

The business event was secured following a long-term campaign led in partnership with Gold Coast University Hospital Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Limb Surgeon and BE Connected ambassador Dr Ezekiel Tan, with work on the bid beginning in 2018.

Dr Tan said securing the congress was an important milestone for both the Gold Coast and the international orthopaedic community.

"It is a privilege to be selected to host the 18th International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery in 2032, Queensland’s Olympic and Paralympic year,” Dr Tan said.

“This international congress only occurs every three years and was last hosted in Australia in 1998, in Sydney.

“The ability to attract an event of this calibre to the Gold Coast is a testament to the city, as well as the quality and strength of Australian surgical research and expertise."

The bid was supported by Tourism and Events Queensland and Tourism Australia.

Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell MP said the congress was a significant addition to Queensland’s growing pipeline of international business events.

“Securing this prestigious congress will bring leading medical minds from around the world to the Gold Coast, generating valuable visitor expenditure while showcasing Queensland’s expertise and capability on the global stage,” Minister Powell said.

"Queensland is the ‘Home of the Holiday’, and events like this encourage delegates to stay longer, explore more of our state and experience the destinations that make Queensland one of the world's
great tourism destinations."

Tourism Australia Executive General Manager Industry & Business Events Sally Cope said "Tourism Australia is pleased to be supporting the 2032 International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery through its Business Events Bid Fund Program, which has been building a strong pipeline of future international business events across Australia since its launch in 2018.

“The timing of this world-leading medical congress, in the same year that Australia will be hosting the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will help to further demonstrate the exceptional capabilities we have to offer as a business events destination,” Sally Cope said.

The ICSES adds to the Gold Coast’s pipeline of major international business events and reinforces the city’s position as a destination capable of attracting globally significant conferences in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032.

The successful bid saw the Gold Coast compete against destinations in Germany, India and Colombia and marks the return of the international congress to Australia for the first time since it was held in Sydney in 1998.