GCCEC Celebrates 10 Years of Its Beloved Build a Bike Charity Event

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) is marking a very special milestone this festive season, celebrating the 10th year of its much-loved Build a Bike charity event. A tradition that transforms the Centre into a lively workshop filled with tools, teamwork and two-wheeled joy.

On Wednesday 10 December, GCCEC’s team and partners will once again get hands-on, building 87 brand-new bikes for children supported by Act for Kids. Boxes are opened, tools come out, parts are sorted, and within hours every bike is assembled, checked and ready to spark joy for a local child this Christmas.

What began in 2016 as a simple idea has become a cornerstone GCCEC community tradition. Each year, volunteers gather around workbenches surrounded by wheels, tools and bike parts, turning flat-packed boxes into ready-to-ride bicycles. To date, more than 500 bikes have been built and donated through the event.

Adding to the magic, each child will also receive books, games and toys collected through the annual GCCEC Toy Drive, helping make Christmas morning even brighter for families facing hardship.

Event production and management company Dreamweavers will again donate their time and vehicles to help deliver the bikes, while local Gold Coast business Mike’s Bikes will provide expert guidance to ensure each bike is safe and ready for its new owner.

Dr Katrina Lines, CEO of Act for Kids, said the 10th year of Build a Bike demonstrated the extraordinary impact of collective generosity.

“This incredible display of community spirit simply wouldn’t be possible without GCCEC and the many local businesses, services, individuals, organisations and sponsors who’ve come together this year. Act for Kids is truly grateful for their support."

“For some of these children, these gifts may be the only presents waiting for them under the Christmas tree. Bikes are a wonderful way to support a child’s physical development, but they also help build social skills by creating opportunities for kids to connect and play with others.”

Nick Jeffrey, General Manager of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre said the heart of Build a Bike has always been community.

“Build a Bike has become one of our most meaningful traditions. Celebrating this milestone  is a testament to the generosity of our team, partners and Gold Coast community. This event goes far beyond bikes. It’s about creating smiles, relieving pressure for families and giving children a moment of pure happiness, and that is something we are incredibly honoured to drive.”
 

Real impact, real voices

For many families, Build a Bike delivers more than just a present — it creates moments that stay with them long after Christmas Day.

A little girl’s words said it all: “It was the best Christmas, because I got my bike.”

A mother, whose children received bikes, shared through tears of joy: “It means they get to have the Christmas they deserve, and it takes a lot of pressure off me trying to find the extra money to make their Christmas special.”

A teenager added: “I’m so happy to have a bike to ride to my friend’s house and to school.”

As GCCEC celebrates a decade of Build a Bike, the event continues to show that when a community comes together, small actions can create powerful and lasting change for children who need it most.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.