Major sport tech conference for the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast will host the Australian sporting industry’s flagship event for the next three years in a significant coup supporting local jobs and Queensland’s economic recovery.

In an agreement between organisers Sports Tech World Series and the Palaszczuk Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, the Australia Sports Tech Conference will move from Victoria to the Gold Coast from 2021 – 2023.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the deal in Parliament today.

“Our tourism industry has been hit hard by COVID-19,” the Premier said.

“Events like this are vital when it comes to supporting local businesses to rebuild.

“This series will pump millions of dollars into our economy and support local jobs at a time we need it most.

“We’ll continue to work hard to secure events that further our economic recovery strategy here in Queensland.”

Tourism, Innovation and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Australian Sports Tech conference was the biggest sport and technology summit in the southern hemisphere.

“Queensland is the place to be for sport,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The Australian Sports Tech Conference is where sport industry professionals, investors and start-ups learn about new products, innovation and what’s working in the fast-moving world of sporting technology.

“It’s no secret science and technology are increasingly important in elite sport.

“Sports Tech will bring 2,000 to the Gold Coast to see and discuss the innovations and trends driving the future of sport around the world.

“This is the biggest sport technology and innovation conference in the southern hemisphere, supporting local jobs and $3 million for the Gold Coast’s economic recovery.”  

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the Gold Coast and Queensland were the perfect place to host the Australia Sports Tech Conference.

“The Gold Coast is the home of the 2018 Commonwealth Games and last year’s COVID bubbles made Queensland the epicentre of Australian sport,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Our hard work on the pandemic saw Queensland stage the world’s largest post-COVID event with the sell-out State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium.

“Queensland was the home base for elite athletes of the WNBL, Super Netball, the NRL’s Storm and AFL Premiership season.  

“The Palaszczuk Government also made history by bringing Victoria’s AFL Grand Final to the Gabba and now we’ve secured their Australia Sports Tech Conference.

“Sports Tech is another opportunity to showcase our world-class sporting infrastructure and tourism experiences as ‘targeted dialogue’ continues with the international Olympic Committee about a possible 2032 Queensland Olympic and Paralympic Games.” 

The conference at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on 3 September 2021 will be part of the first-ever ‘Australia Sports Innovation Week’ from 30 August to 3 September.

It features masterclasses, VIP field tours, a Start-up investor day and the Australia and New Zealand Sports Technology Awards dinner.

Head of APAC for Sports Tech World Series Marc Roufeil said this was the perfect time to move the event to Queensland as the state continues its rise as a global sports destination.

“Not only is Queensland hosting some of the world’s biggest sporting events, but it’s also home to a growing sports business and sports innovation ecosystem with exciting young start-ups and global sports leaders like Vald Performance calling Queensland home.”

“We see this as a great opportunity to partner with the Queensland Government and continue to build on the momentum that they have already created by building a true destination event that is a must attend for anyone working across sports technology and innovation.”

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