4 September 2025
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES
GET YOUR TICKETS: QTIC WORLD TOURISM DAY LUNCH PRESENTED BY EGC
In celebration of World Tourism Day, you’re invited to attend the QTIC World Tourism Day Event, presented by Experience Gold Coast.
Get ready to catch up with friends and colleagues and meet new faces at one of Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s (QTIC) largest annual networking events.
Date: Wednesday 10 September 2025
Time:11:30am arrival. 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: Isoletto Privé, The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach
Experience Gold Coast partners can access the special member rate by using the promo code egcmem.
SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS AT VOLLEYVALL AUSTRALIA'S SCHOOLS CUP
The Australian Volleyball Schools Cup is making its return to the Gold Coast from 7 – 13 December 2025, and Volleyball Australia (VA) are giving Gold Coast businesses the opportunity to be part of the action. This national event will attract thousands of students, families, and supporters from all over the country, with over 500 teams across 160 schools from Australia and New Zealand.
VA are inviting local businesses to become a vendor at the event at Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre or provide an A4 printable flyer with an exclusive discount or deal valid throughout the event week, 7-13 December 2025. Offers are promoted directly to the event attendees and the VA wider audience, helping visitors discover and enjoy the very best of the Gold Coast.
To be included, simply send your flyer (or any questions) directly to Aaron Pope at VA:
aaron.pope@volleyball.org.au by Monday, 3 November 2025.
GOT A FASCINATING STORY TO TELL?
Experience Gold Coast and Tourism and Events Queensland’s Media and PR team are on the hunt for the colourful, local legends doing big things for tourism in our region with a cool story to tell. Media are increasingly eager to cover destination stories that showcase the people behind the places.
That’s where you come in.
If you got a fascinating backstory, a unique point of view, or just a good yarn that’s gone untold – we want to hear from you.
To get involved, please share a bit about your story via this form.
● Provide a clear (at least 1mb) photo of themselves and one of their product/services.
● You don’t have to answer every question if it’s not relevant
While we can’t guarantee coverage, this will help us build out a database of stories behind the local visitor economy which we can tap into for ongoing media opportunities
FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS FOR FREE ON TRIPLE M GOLD COAST
We’d love your business to be part of an upcoming Triple M radio promo! It’s a great opportunity to get your voice on air, land a plug for your business, and show your support for the station you love.
All you need to do is send through a short audio clip explaining why you enjoy tuning into 92.5 Triple M Gold – whether it’s the music, the laughs, or the local stories that keep you connected.
How to get involved:
● Record a 10-15 second voice memo on your phone saying who you are, what business you’re from, and why you love tuning into 92.5 Triple M Gold
● Email the recording through to Kate.Ellison@sca.com.au
● It could sound something like this: “Hi it’s Ben from Experience Gold Coast and we love 92.5 Triple M Gold because you play the best music all day long”
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2026 ENGAGING SCIENCE GRANTS PROGRAM
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s Engaging Science Grants provide support to teachers, scientists, tourism operators and citizen science groups to deliver science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based events or educational and engagement activities.
In this round, projects that integrate science participation or STEM education into nature-based tourism will be highly regarded. For example, eligible projects could include providing science-led ecological tours or educational workshops, delivering citizen science projects to monitor local species, or holding a bioblitz or community science festival.
Funding of up to $25,000 is available for up to one-year projects, commencing in 2026.
Applications close 4 pm, 22 September 2025.
More information on past recipients and eligibility can be found on the Engaging Science Grants website.
REGISTER NOW: NO VACANCY HOTEL + ACCOMMODATION INDUSTRY EXPO
NoVacancy, held at the world-class ICC Sydney on 17 & 18 September 2025, is the biggest and most important annual event for professionals in the hotel and accommodation industry.
Access big developments in new brands and product launches, essential education and industry insights, crucial networking, and serious deal-making. It’s all here waiting to be experienced.
Evolve your accommodation business and property with products, trends and knowledge!
QTIC REGISTERED TRADE SKILLS PATHWAY PROGRAM
The QTIC Registered Trade Skills Pathway program is a fantastic opportunity for tourism and hospitality workers to turn their on-the-job experience into a nationally recognised trade qualification. This streamlined and affordable program allows staff to gain certification while continuing to work, helping build skills, careers, and the future of our industry.
Great financial incentives are also on offer – with every graduate of the program receiving a $1,100 cash bonus. See yourself or your employees take their culinary career to the next level.
Find out more and nominate your team today to take advantage of this exciting pathway.
TEQ'S DRIVE CAMPAIGN: INDUSTRY TOOLKIT
The toolkit includes everything you need to amplify the campaign across your channels and help showcase why Queensland is the perfect spot for a road-trip
If you missed the industry webinar held recently, you can view the recording here.
PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAVE UP TO 50% ON DINING, ACTIVITIES AND MORE
Remember the Entertainment Books?
Now all that amazing value is in a handy app you can take anywhere! With your NEW Entertainment Membership, you’ll enjoy thousands of 2-for-1 and up to 50% off offers from your favourite restaurants, shops, and activities, plus 20% is donated to a charity of your choice.
Redeem offers straight from your phone, track your savings, and share with friends — no cards or vouchers needed. That’s 12 months of unbeatable value on the things you love to do.
TAYLOR SWIFT ON THE GOLD COAST
Experience the magic of pop sensation Taylor Swift in vibrant wax at the Gold Coast Wax Museum!
The new lifelike figure captures every detail of her iconic style, from shimmering stage gowns to her signature red lip. Step into an immersive display of Swift’s greatest eras, stroll through photo-ready settings, and feel the thrill of meeting your idol face-to-face.
Whether you’re swooning over Folklore or rocking out to Reputation, this exhibit is a must-see for Swifties and casual fans alike. Book your tickets now and strike a pose with Taylor Swift’s wax masterpiece, only at Gold Coast Wax Museum today.
CBD TWILIGHT MARKETS ARE BACK THIS SEPTEMBER
They’re back! The ever-popular CBD Twilight Markets are set to return to Southport Friday 19 September, 5pm to 8pm!
Nerang Street will come alive with vegan favourites from QLD Vegan Markets, mouth-watering street food, vintage fashion, and a pop-up bar.
Enjoy live performances from Eleea Navarro, René Le Feuvre and Izzy Day, with DJ Vices keeping the vibes high. Ride the G every 15 minutes to Southport Station or plan to carpool with friends. Free entry, great tunes, unforgettable food - it’s the perfect way to spend your Friday night. Presented by City of Gold Coast.
FRIGHT NIGHTS RETURNS THIS OCTOBER
Terror runs deep with the return of Fright Nights at Warner Bros. Movie World this October. Step into five horrifying mazes, including two NEW MAZES, Krypt of Kain and Eternal Dark.
Roam through twisted precincts crawling with sinister creatures, scream on your favourite thrill rides after dark, and brace yourself for relentless scares that strike when you least expect. There’s no escape. No mercy. Just pure, unfiltered terror.
WELCOME TO THE SPONSOR FAMILY - FARM ANGELS
Experience Gold Coast is continuing its relationships with both TAFE Queensland and Farm Angels. TAFE Queensland have expanded their relationship across Experience Gold Coast to promote their courses and showcase their commitment to arts and culture on the Gold Coast by partnering with the Ken Done: No Rules exhibition at HOTA.
Farm Angels have renewed their partnership for two more years as the charity partner of Groundwater Country Music Festival. With a natural alignment between country music and supporting the farming communities around Australia, Farm Angels use the partnership to raise awareness on the challenges of being a farmer and to generate charitable donations in support of farmers in need.
QUICK SNIPPETS
- China Southern Airlines has announced a major expansion of its services from Guangzhou to Brisbane, moving to double daily flights during the peak 2025/26 summer travel season. Read more.
- We’ve had reports of emails from ariawilson981@gmail.com claiming to sell the Experience Gold Coast Distribution/Member List. This is not from Experience Gold Coast, please don’t click any links or make any payments. If you see one of these emails, report as spam and delete it.
VIEW THE 21 AUG 2025 VISITOR ECONOMY 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.