27 August 2026
THIS IS GOLD COAST 2026 (TIGC26)
This is Gold Coast 2026: Where inspiration, innovation and experience meet.
There’s nothing quite like experiencing the Gold Coast through the eyes of a business event organiser - and This is Gold Coast 2026 (TIGC26) gave delegates four days to do exactly that.
Now in its 12th year, our signature business events familiarisation program took place from 3–6 August, bringing together business event organisers and key decision-makers from across Australia and New Zealand and, for the first time in many years, international delegates from Singapore, Malaysia and India.
This year, we put the spotlight firmly on what makes the Gold Coast such a compelling destination for business events: its ability to combine world-class venues with unexpected experiences, exceptional hospitality, fresh local flavours and an enviable natural backdrop.
The program was deliberately designed to showcase the destination in new and creative ways, taking delegates across 20 venues and four accommodation properties.
From beachfront dining to immersive event experiences, every stop offered a different perspective on what’s possible on the Gold Coast.
Some of the standout moments included:
- Valentina by Accor brought coastal luxe to life with a beautifully styled beachfront shared lunch.
- The Star Gold Coast demonstrated the transformative power of production, with dramatic draping and lighting creating a striking event environment.
- Sea World Resort hosted an energetic Business Exchange featuring 886 scheduled meetings, followed by lunch overlooking the Broadwater. A refreshed layout executed by Exponet and Moreton Hire created an open and inviting environment that encouraged connection and conversation between exhibitors and delegates.
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary delivered one of the program’s standout evenings, with a progressive dinner through the Sanctuary.
- JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa showcased its JW Garden, highlighting the resort’s focus on local produce and memorable culinary experiences.
Beyond the individual venues and experiences, TIGC26 demonstrated the breadth of opportunities available to event planners - from sophisticated beachfront settings and large-scale event spaces to intimate experiences that could only happen on the Gold Coast.
With more than $50 million in business event leads expected to be generated, TIGC continues to deliver significant value for the destination, helping drive visitation, support the mid-week economy and strengthen the Gold Coast’s position as Queensland’s most in-demand destination for business events.
A destination powered by partnership, TIGC26 would not be possible without the incredible creativity and collaboration of our industry partners.
Major partners: Sea World Resort, Moreton Hire, Exponet, The Star Gold Coast, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Accor Apartments & Realty, and JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa.
Event partners: RACV Royal Pines Gold Coast Resort, Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences, QT Gold Coast, Dorsett Gold Coast and Aries Queensland.
Thank you to every partner who helped bring this year’s program to life and to our delegates for immersing themselves in everything the Gold Coast has to offer.
The response to TIGC26 has been overwhelmingly positive — and with plenty more stories to tell, we’re already looking ahead to what’s next.
GOLD COAST CONNECT – SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE: OCTOBER 2026
Expressions of Interest have now closed for upcoming Gold Coast Connect events so keep your eyes on your inbox for an official email to confirm and register your attendance.
This year’s events will take place at two premium city venues over the following dates:
- Gold Coast Connect, Sydney: Wednesday 21st October 2026
- Gold Coast Connect, Melbourne: Thursday 22nd October 2026
*EOIs have been reviewed based on partnership level and considered in the order they were received. Spaces are limited to ensure events are intimate and are reserved for eligible Business Events partners for FY27.
SITE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND INCENTIVISE LIVE CONFERENCE
Experience Gold Coast recently attended the SITE Incentivise Live Conference in Sydney, taking the opportunity to learn, connect and gain valuable insights from incentive industry leaders.
The conference provided a valuable forum to explore emerging trends, understand the evolving needs of incentive planners and hear about best practice from destinations and industry professionals across Australia and beyond.
SHARE YOUR NEWS
Our client newsletter, Uniquely Gold Coast, is 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.
EXPERT GUIDE TO GOLD COAST BUSINESS EVENTS
Our refreshed Meeting Planners Guide for 2026 has been released, showcasing our wonderful members on the Gold Coast.
The Meeting Planners Guide provides event planners with an overview of the Gold Coast, including information on venues, accommodation, attractions, and the specialist services available to help plan their events.
INSIGHTFUL BUSINESS EVENTS NEWS:
- ABEA QLD Social Connect
- Business Events Australia Advance Program: Applications now open for FY27
- Brisbane the big mover for Australia in the ICCA rankings
- Business Events Data
- International Association of Professional Conference Organisers (IAPCO) delivered 20% more meetings in 2025 compared to 2024.
Save the date for our next Queensland Social Connect. Join fellow business events professionals for an afternoon of networking and conversation at the Emporium Hotel's Reserve Wine Bar, Brisbane. Whether you're catching up with familiar faces or making new connections, it's a relaxed way to close out the week and grow your network within the industry.
TRADE ACTIVITY FOR FY 26/27
- AuSae ACE Conference, Brisbane: 26-28 August 2026
- BEA Greater China Roadshow, China: 15-17 September 2026
- Gold Coast Connect – Sydney: 21 October 2026
- Gold Coast Connect – Melbourne: 22 October 2026
PARTNER PRODUCT UPDATES
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Monthly product updates are designed exclusively for our incredible partners to connect and update our team. Whether it's a sneak peek or an insider’s look at upcoming developments, team movements, new products, in market and trade event insights or special surprises (we love surprises) – we want to hear from you.
The next monthly product update kicks off per the below details:
Date: Monday 7th September
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.
QUICK SNIPPETS
CALENDAR OF CONFIRMED EVENTS Q1 FY27
A reminder that the latest Calendar of Confirmed Events for Q1 FY27 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.
VIEW THE 13 AUGUST 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.