Destination Gold Coast has launched a revitalised business events ambassador program, BE Connected Gold Coast, as part of its ongoing plans to attract more delegates to the region.
The first three leaders to join BE Connected Gold Coast are Rebecca Frizelle, Dr Dinesh Palipana and Dr Hal Rice.
Frizelle is co-owner of NRL Gold Coast Titans, Deputy Chancellor at Griffith University and on the Organising Committee of the 2032 Olympic Games. Palipana is a doctor, lawyer, disability advocate, researcher and 2021 Queensland Australian of the Year. Rice is Director Interventional Neuroradiology at Gold Coast University Hospital, Associate Professor at Griffith University School of Medicine, and founding partner of Qscan Group.
Destination Gold Coast’s Head of Business Events, Selina Sinclair, said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has accepted the role as Patron of the new program.
“We are excited to launch BE Connected Gold Coast with eight leaders who are making a big impact through their contribution to the social, cultural and economic achievements of the city,” she said.
“They will showcase the Gold Coast’s changing profile as a hub for innovation, by attracting and building best in class business events whose benefits go beyond visitation and are a key contributor to the city’s growth.
“Gold Coast’s Australian of the Year, renowned stroke specialist and one of the founding ambassadors from the original program, Dr Hal Rice is a great example of partnering with Destination Gold Coast to not only bring events to our city but through his work is putting the Gold Coast on the world medical stage.
“Dr Rice has continued to bring international medical conferences to the Gold Coast, generating millions of dollars in economic benefit for the city and is now, through both public and private sector investment, in the final stages of building a world-class training centre for image-guided surgeries right here at the Gold Coast’s $1 billion Health and Knowledge Precinct.”
Tate said the three leaders to join the renewed program “are the first of many who we will invite to support the city”.
“These three extraordinary people will work with us to expand the program and promote the city as a place to do business and exchange knowledge through meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions,” he said.
Destination Gold Coast will work closely with the City of Gold Coast and its Economic Development unit to maximise the impact of the new business events program.
