Local flavour as Gold Coast becomes host city

The Gold Coast will once again be on the international stage with the appointment of the creative team to oversee Queensland’s component of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Flag Handover Ceremony.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey today announced world-renowned event production company, David Atkins Enterprises as the successful tenderer for this showcase event.

“The Flag Handover Ceremony is a major step in the Gold Coast’s progress towards 2018,” Ms Stuckey said.

“We are looking forward to the Games along with all the benefits that it will bring in the way of growing tourism, something we promised Queenslanders at the election that we would do.

“This event begins the next phase in the countdown to 2018, marking the formal ‘handing over’ of the Commonwealth Games from the current host city, Glasgow, to the next host city, the Gold Coast.

“It will give the Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia significant exposure on the global stage and be highly visible to international media, potential sponsors and influencers in world sport.

“To have the calibre of a company and the credentials of David Atkins Enterprises leading the delivery of this ceremony onto the international stage, is incredibly exciting.                                                                

“David Atkins Enterprises have shown their experience having successfully produced events such as the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics and the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.”

David Atkins said he was honoured to have been selected to deliver this significant production for the Gold Coast.

“We will be working alongside the GOLDOC team to ensure that the Glasgow 2014 Flag Handover Ceremony is a success both at home and internationally,” Mr Atkins said.

“We will be seeking input and engagement from the Gold Coast cultural community and practitioners and are committed to creating a legacy of skills and experience for those in the community involved in the production.”

GOLDOC Chairman, Nigel Chamier OAM, said there had been extensive consultation including with Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism and City of Gold Coast in the development of the brief to engage the event production company.

“I am more than confident David Atkins and his team with their wealth of experience will deliver a memorable Flag Handover Ceremony production that we can all be very proud of,” Mr Chamier said.

“The production will be a pivotal time in the psyche of the people of Australia as the focus moves from Glasgow 2014 to the host of the next Commonwealth Games - the Gold Coast.”

The creative content of the Flag Handover Ceremony will be kept confidential until the Closing Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on 3 August 2014.

[END] 18 December 2013                                                Media contact:  Minister’s Office – 0439 291 268