Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
The new $127 million Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre was officially opened on 29 June by the State Government, heralding a new era for conference facilities and major events in Queensland. 
Full details of Centre events are available at the web site www.gccec.com.au.
The state-of-the-art Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, owned by the Queensland State Government, has been built by Jupiters Ltd, which is part of the TABCORP group - Australia's largest gambling and entertainment company.
Queensland's Premier, Mr Peter Beattie, and TABCORP's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Matthew Slatter, officiated at the opening celebrations on 29 June after almost five and a half years of planning and construction to bring the Convention and Exhibition Centre to the Gold Coast.
Mr David Banks, TABCORP's Chief Executive Casinos, said the Convention and Exhibition Centre was an outstanding landmark on the Gold Coast.
“This magnificent new convention and exhibition centre will encourage many wonderful entertainment events and first-class conferences to the Gold Coast and become a real economic driver for the region,” Mr Banks said.
“TABCORP is delighted to work in partnership with the Queensland Government to bring the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre to the people of Queensland.
“This multi-purpose centre - the biggest in any regional city in Australia - will host some of the best exhibitions, conferences and rock concerts for years to come,” he said.
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre General Manager Adrienne Readings said the official opening was an opportunity to mark the opening of the complex and “affirm the strong partnerships we have with the Gold Coast community”.
Mrs Readings said the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre marks the beginning of a new era on the Gold Coast.
“The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre will provide a significant piece of infrastructure for the Gold Coast, adding a new dimension to the already well-established conferencing, exhibition, and entertainment facilities,” Mrs Readings said.
“We are extremely proud to be opening the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in partnership with the Queensland Government,” she said.
Construction of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre created some 3050 full time jobs during development and a further 50 permanent and 150 casual jobs when the centre opens for business. In addition, the employment flow on effect on the Gold Coast is expected to be significantly greater.
Some major events that will be hosted by the new centre include:
- Gold Coast Home Show expected to attract more than 20,000 buyers
- Charle Japan Incentive Conference - rewarding more than 6000 top Japanese sales people in four back-to-back groups across one-month
- Kenneth Copeland Ministries Gold Coast Victory Campaign - the world-renowned religious advocate expected to attract over 5000 delegates across three days and
- LAWASIA Downunder 2005 - the biennial law conference within Asia Pacific attracting 1500 delegates across five days including all Chief Justices of the region
