Gold Coast Secures SITE Global Conference 2028 in Historic First for Asia-Pacific

Experience Gold Coast has secured the rights to host the prestigious SITE Global Conference in February 2028, marking the first time in the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence’s history that the event will take place in Australia and across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

The globally recognised incentive travel conference is expected to bring approximately 500 leading professionals from across the international incentive and business events ecosystem to the Gold Coast, including corporate planners, destination management companies, luxury travel brands, hospitality and airline partners, destination marketing organisations, and international media.

For the Gold Coast, the win represents another major milestone in its growing positioning as a globally competitive business events and incentive destination.

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said hosting the conference reflects the city’s increasing capability to deliver high-profile international events at a global standard. “The incentive travel sector is considered one of the highest-yielding sectors within business events tourism, and this conference is expected to deliver economic impact well into the tens of millions of dollars for the Gold Coast visitor economy,” Mr Warn said.

“The conference will also create valuable opportunities for our industry partners to showcase their products and experiences directly to global decision-makers through hosted buyer programs and pre- and post-event famil experiences.”

“Securing this conference validates the significant investment made in our infrastructure, hotel development, international connectivity, and industry collaboration, further positioning the Gold Coast on the global stage.”

The announcement has also been welcomed at national and state level, with Australian tourism authorities highlighting the strategic importance of attracting globally influential business events to the destination.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Robin Mack said the conference represents a landmark achievement for both the Gold Coast and Australia’s wider business events sector. “We’re thrilled the Gold Coast will host SITE Global 2028 - a first for Australia and a major win for our Bid Fund program. It’s an incredible opportunity to put the Gold Coast’s premier incentive offerings front and centre for decision-makers from around the world.”

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said the successful bid further reinforces Queensland’s growing international reputation within the global meetings and incentive market. “The Gold Coast continues to demonstrate its strong capability in hosting world-class business events and securing the SITE Global Conference is a tremendous vote of confidence from one of the most influential organisations in the incentive travel sector”, Mr Davidson said.

“This event will bring global buyers, planner, and travel leaders directly into our regions, creating long-term valuable opportunities for Queensland tourism operators while showcasing the depth and diversity available across the state.”

Further details regarding the SITE Global Conference 2028 are expected to be announced in the coming months.
 

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.