Experience Gold Coast Engineers Awards for Business Events Ambassadors

Experience Gold Coast has celebrated and recognised the achievements of BE Connected Gold Coast Ambassadors for their contributions towards promoting, supporting and securing business events for the city. 

More than 110 people attended a gala event last night (Thursday 7 November), at RACV Royal Pines to acknowledge 19 of the city’s industry leaders, thought leaders and innovators that make up the business events ambassador programme; BE Connected Gold Coast. 

Gold Coast Mayor and BE Connected Gold Coast Patron Tom Tate applauded all BE Connected Ambassadors who are helping to attract more meetings and conferences to the best business events destination – the Gold Coast. 

“These 19 extraordinary people work with us to expand the program and promote the city as a place to do business and exchange knowledge through meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions,” Mayor Tate said. 

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn congratulated the talented ambassadors who are driving change, at the forefront of innovation and visionary thinking – all for the benefit of our community and broader city. 

"BE Connected Gold Coast forms part of our strategy to drive a more sustainable visitor economy of the future and generate legacies that drive long-term sustainable growth for the city," Mr Warn said. 

"Our ambassadors not only bring conferences to the city but also continue to shine a spotlight on some of the incredible innovations and breakthroughs happening right here – whether it's launching a rocket into space, creating a vaccine or using AI to reduce accidents on our roads." 

Among the Ambassadors, three received distinguished awards for their contributions, commitment and support for business events including Professor Dzung Dao who helped secure two business events for the city with an estimated economic impact of $1 million. 

Bids secured include two confirmed international events, the 27th World Micromachine Summit 2024 and Asia Pacific Conference of Transducers and Micro-Nano Technology (APCOT) 2028. 

Adam Gilmour and James Gilmour of Gilmour Space Technologies were also acknowledged for their entrepreneurship, innovation and risk taking as they prepare for their imminent rocket launch in Queensland later this year. 

Experience Gold Coast Director Business Events Brooke Campbell said bringing a business event or conference to our city is sometimes a long process involving many stakeholders. 

“Our ambassadors are critical to connecting our team to the right decisionmakers, and their knowledge and networks are vital to winning a conference - especially international conferences,” Mrs Campbell said. 

“Griffith University mechanical engineer Professor Dzung Dao is a great example of an individual partnering with Experience Gold Coast to not only bring events to our city, and contribute to visitor economy, but to showcase the city’s expertise in engineering and creating a legacy in this field.”