12 February 2026
STRENGTHENING OUR GLOBAL BIDDING CAPABILITY
Ahead of AIME 2026, Andrea Molnar & Ellora Conn represented Experience Gold Coast at the ICCA Regional Business Exchange and ICCA Bid Workshop in Melbourne, alongside 12 national and international convention bureaux and centres.
Participating in these forums is critical to strengthening our global competitiveness, allowing us to share insights, sharpen our international association bidding approach, and stay aligned with global best practice. For the Gold Coast, this means stronger advocacy, smarter bids, deeper industry relationships, and an even more compelling case for why our region continues to attract high-value international business events.
AIME 2026
Experience Gold Coast Business Events this week participated in AIME (Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event), the largest and longest-running business events exhibition and learning platform, held in Melbourne from 9–11 February.
Alongside 19 of our industry partners, Experience Gold Coast hosted over 100 meetings, and as Team Gold Coast, we completed more than 1000 appointments.
With a fresh new stand for the second year showcasing the Gold Coast lifestyle, we proudly celebrated and promoted the Gold Coast at every opportunity.
We sincerely thank our industry partners for their support and for joining us:
- Accor
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dorsett Gold Coast
- Dreamworld and SkyPoint
- Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
- HOTA, Home of the Arts
- Imperial Hotel Gold Coast
- Kiff & Culture
- Kirra Beach House
- Mantra at Sharks and Sharks Event Centre
- Mondrian Gold Coast
- Novotel Gold Coast
- QT Gold Coast
- RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast
- Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast
- The Star Gold Coast
- Topgolf Gold Coast
- Village Roadshow Theme Parks
- voco Gold Coast
THIS IS GOLD COAST 2026
Experience Gold Coast invites expressions of interest to partner with us for This is Gold Coast 2026 (TIGC26). This is the city’s flagship familiarisation program connecting qualified business events buyers, PCOs and media with Gold Coast venues, suppliers and experiences. The 2026 program will feature a refreshed meetings format focused on efficiency, sustainability and meaningful engagement, reinforcing the Gold Coast’s position as a leading business events destination.
Eligible partners (Business Events Partner level and above) have now received the TIGC26 Partner and Exhibitor Prospectus via email, which includes the link to submit an expression of interest to exhibit at the Business Exchange on Tuesday 04 August.
Partner proposals and exhibitor applications close Friday 27 February.
NOMINATE NOW FOR GOLD COAST AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Do you know an outstanding citizen who inspires others and makes a difference? A local role model creating positive change in our community? Nominations are now open for the 2026 Gold Coast Australian of the Year Awards. City of Gold Coast wishes to recognise those helping to build a stronger, more connected community. Those whose challenges and triumphs reflect their remarkable achievements - who go above and beyond in their work or service, and who are champions in their own way, making a lasting impact on those around them.
Nominations close Monday 23 March 2026.
TRADE ACTIVITY FOR FY 26/27
- BEA/JTB Japan MICE Famil, Gold Coast: 24-26 February 2026
- BEA USA Showcase, USA: 10-19 March 2026
- Gold Coast Connect – Melbourne: 11 March 2026
- Gold Coast Connect – Sydney: 12 March 2026
- BEA Southeast Asia Showcase, TBC: April (TBC)
- IMEX Europe, Frankfurt: 19-21 May 2026
PARTNER PRODUCT UPDATES
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
The next monthly product update kicks off per the below details:
Date: Monday 2nd March
Time: 30 – 45 mins per update
Where: Experience Gold Coast office in Broadbeach or online via Teams
How: Email the team at businessevents@experiencegoldcoast.com to allocate a time.
UNIQUELY GOLD COAST
CLIENT NEWSLETTER
We’re excited to share that we have a refreshed edition of our client newsletter Uniquely Gold Coast — a quarterly connection to all things Gold Coast. From local supplier updates and inspiring city stories to thought leadership and insightful case studies, our newsletter is designed to keep clients informed and engaged.
If you have any new products, services, or case studies you'd like us to feature, please send them our way — we’d love to include them in an upcoming issue.
QUICK SNIPPETS
CALENDAR OF CONFIRMED EVENTS Q3 FY26
A reminder that the latest Calendar of Confirmed Events for Q3 FY26 has been updated on EGCnet for those Business Events partners. We encourage all partners to take a look and stay informed with what’s coming to destination.
EXPERT GUIDE TO GOLD COAST BUSINESS EVENTS
The Experience Gold Coast Meeting Planners Guide provides you with an overview of the region, including information on venues, accommodation, attractions and the specialist services available to help you plan your event.
VIEW THE 29 JAN 2026 BUSINESS EVENTS UPDATE
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.