FACE-TO-FACE meetings under precautionary measures have returned to the leading business events venue in Australia’s Gold Coast – signalling a return of confidence following months of anti-Covid lockdowns, say the centre’s bosses.
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre reports thousands of delegates attending events in October. Events included conferences, business meetings, school graduations and formals and a 250-person fundraising lunch.
Clients were required to operate under the centre’s Site-Specific Covid Safe Plan while onsite. The plan was approved by authorities in June and covers conditions of entry, record keeping, social distancing, deliveries, food service, team wellbeing and event-specific requirements.
The School Business Managers’ Association, Queensland state conference was held October 13-16. The event attracted over 600 participants and included plenary sessions, masterclasses, catering, an exhibition, daily themed dinners and a gala awards event.
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Local Government Association Queensland Conference, which was officially opened by state premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, ran from October and 19-21 welcomed over 500 delegates and 85 exhibitors.
“There’s no denying that there’s a lot of additional work required on our side to host events at the venue at the moment – from extra deep cleaning, Covid marshalling, labour intensive food preparation and service to traffic, flow, messaging and record keeping,” said Adrienne Readings, general manager, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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“However, the response to these events has been overwhelmingly positive from all stakeholders and it’s really encouraging to see people back meeting and networking at the Centre,” she added.
For the remainder of the year, the centre will host several graduations, formal functions, networking breakfasts, two more conferences and Christmas events.
