An international airshow, a global superstar, a BMX Freestyle World Cup and an English Premier League team - in the past two years Major Events Gold Coast (MEGC) has secured some of the world's biggest international events for the city.
July marks MEGC's second birthday and there are plenty of reasons to celebrate said CEO Jan McCormick.
Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick:
"MEGC was created in July 2020 to build a portfolio of major world-class events for this city, and we are steadily doing just that with some huge wins in our first two years."
In a massive coup for the Gold Coast, Major Events Gold Coast could finally share the news in May that one of the world's largest and most spectacular air shows would be hosted in the city from 2023.
"We were determined to secure Pacific Airshow Gold Coast. It well and truly cements our city's reputation as a world-class events destination with capacity to host the biggest events and shows on the planet."
"There were many times we thought we might not pull this off, it involved more than two years of negotiation and meticulous planning across multiple time zones, all while navigating a global pandemic. We are thrilled the Gold Coast will see the airshow in our skies for the next five years at least."
The airshow is a game changer for the Gold Coast, attracting visitors from not just across Australia but across the world, bringing a significant and much-needed city-wide economic boost.
This weekend another global blockbuster secured with the help of MEGC will take centre stage - the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Cruiserweight World Title Fight. It's the first time the city has hosted a world title match. The event will be broadcast live around the globe ensuring all eyes are on the Gold Coast.
Later in the month, the city will host English Premier League club Leeds United FC when they take on Brisbane Roar, another first for the city. Then in December, a UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup, an Australia first.
MEGC has also been excited to announce a host of major new international music and cultural events for the Gold Coast, including legendary band Guns N' Roses performing at Metricon Stadium in November, and global superstar Harry Styles who will bring his Love On Tour here in February 2023.
Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick:
"The Harry Styles tour announcement is a fantastic win for the Gold Coast, and will be his only Queensland performance. Having international live acts of this calibre continues to elevate the city’s reputation as a world-class major events destination and is something to really celebrate."
"The city is continuing to grow as a must-visit live music destination, and MEGC is excited to continue to work with promoters to secure more international live music events for the Gold Coast."
MEGC also delivers a portfolio of its own award-winning festivals Blues on Broadbeach, Groundwater Country Music Festival, Cooly Rocks On and the new SPRINGTIME festival set to showcase some of our best home grown and local contemporary artists on beach stages in Surfers Paradise.
MEGC Festival Director Mark Duckworth:
"Despite the challenges of the past couple of years MEGC was still able to successfully deliver hugely popular music festivals for the city."
"The reopening of international borders this year came just in time for both Cooly Rocks On and Blues on Broadbeach, allowing us to invite artists from New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan and the USA, and our confidence continues to grow in adding international programming to our festivals."
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the coast's growing calendar of world-class music, sporting, arts, and cultural events amplified the city's reputation globally putting the Gold Coast firmly on the map as the ultimate major events destination.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate:
"Major Events Gold Coast has worked behind the scenes for the past two years to deliver, attract and secure some of the most spectacular and significant international events you'll see anywhere in the world. That dogged persistence has paid off and the local economy will reap the benefits of that today, and well into the future."
And MEGC is just getting started.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.