Gold Coast keeps finger firmly on medical conference pulse
‘NeuroExchange’ event major boost for GC’s $40 million business events recovery
A key component of a strategy aimed at generating $40 million for its business events recovery, the Gold Coast has welcomed the first of several major locked-in events with more than 80 of Australia and New Zealand’s leading interventional neuroradiologists joining together with key Medtronic representatives from the United States.
Converging on The Langham Gold Coast just weeks after the hotel officially threw open its doors, the main thrust of ‘NeuroExchange’ was to discuss the latest in treatments for stroke and brain aneurysms.
The conference took place as Gold Coast’s Australian of the Year, renowned stroke specialist Dr Hal Rice, and his colleague Dr Laetitia de Villiers finalise plans to establish a world-class training centre for image-guided surgeries within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct.
Destination Gold Coast’s Head of Business Events Selina Sinclair said Australia’s health and medical industry has grown considerably over the past decade and is known for its world-leading technology, innovation, advanced research, and robust health system.
“With 50 per cent of meetings globally in the medical field, like-minded professionals are provided a platform to come together to exchange knowledge, discuss and debate new ideas and forthcoming technologies,” Ms Sinclair said.
“At the heart of the Gold Coast’s advancement is a thriving education economy driven by our hospitals, three distinguished universities, innovative start-ups and the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct.
“Beyond the direct economic contribution these business events inject into the Gold Coast economy, they also lead to new partnerships and attract talent to our hospitals, universities, and research institutes.
“Events such as NeuroExchange continue to grow our credentials, evolve our intellectual capabilities and knowledge networks and create lasting legacies for the city.”
Director of Interventional Neuroradiology at Gold Coast University Hospital, Dr Hal Rice partnered with Medtronic to attract NeuroExchange.
Doctor Rice said the three-day conference marked a new era in attracting major medical and scientific conferences.
“Our vision is to train specialist physicians from all over the Asia-Pacific in the latest techniques in a dedicated facility, building on the training we’ve conducted over the last eight years within the hospital, with the latest equipment and space to accommodate larger groups,” Dr Rice said.
“Being able to partner with such a significant global company hosted at such an iconic property as The Langham Gold Coast provides a highly-desirable training and conference opportunity that will attract the top specialists and continue to grow the Gold Coast’s reputation as a health and medical hub.”
Future health and medical conferences confirmed for the Gold Coast in 2022 include an Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association Conference for 350 delegates later this year; the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists National Conference for 1,000 delegates; a World Congress for Medical Law for 400 delegates.
And 2023 is already taking shape with an Australian Medical Students Association National Convention for 1,000 delegates; an International Society for Eye Research conference for 1,000 delegates, and the World Federation of Chiropractic Biennial Congress for 900 delegates already locked in.
Destination Gold Coast recently welcomed 80 conference organisers, decision-makers, and media representatives in what represents its biggest MICE-oriented hosting since before the pandemic and aimed at generating $40 million for the Gold Coast’s business events recovery.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
