Gold Coast hosts best ever SportAccord conference

Published Tuesday, 14 May, 2019 at 11:00 AM

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

More than 1700 of the world’s most high-powered sporting executives took part in what is quickly becoming regarded as the best SportAccord in history on the Gold Coast last week.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said having secured $60 million in major events through last year’s conference in Bangkok, she hoped by hosting SportAccord2019, the government could attract in the order of $100 million worth of future events for Queensland.

“We invest in major events because they pump millions of dollars into our economy and create local jobs,” she said.

“This was the first time Australia has hosted the world’s foremost sporting events conference.

“Hosting world leaders like International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon – SportAccord has given us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show the leading decision makers in international sport everything we have to offer.

“Under the Palaszczuk Government, we’ve more than doubled the value of our major events calendar which will this year generate $800 million for Queensland.

“We hope to secure up to $100 million worth of events for the state as a result of hosting SportAccord.”

SportAccord managing director Nis Hatt said it was clear how successful the event had been.

“There is no doubt this has been the best SportAccord ever, with delegates from across the world extremely impressed not only by the facilities on offer in Queensland but the relaxed lifestyle and the beautiful scenery of the Gold Coast,” he said.

“Many delegates have left the Gold Coast with the strong impression that Queensland is capable of hosting their future events and I’m sure we’ll start seeing the outcomes of the conversations had here in the weeks, months and years to come.”

The event, held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, brought more than 1700 delegates to Queensland, including representatives from 500 different international businesses, sports federations and rights holders.

Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin CBE said sporting federations were taking note of Queensland’s event hosting credentials.

“Last year’s Commonwealth Games certainly shone the spotlight on the whole of the state and the well-proven capabilities of Queenslanders to stage outstanding sporting and cultural events,” Ms Martin said.

“The Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns all shared the Games hosting duties and delivered remarkable results.”

SportAccord was secured for the Gold Coast through a partnership between Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Gold Coast City Council and Destination Gold Coast.


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