The Gold Coast will welcome 1,400 delegates for the nation’s leading international education event in 2020 after securing the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC).
The event is estimated to inject more than $3.3 million into the city’s economy, and will see leading international education practitioners, teaching staff, research and policy makers convene on the Gold Coast for the first time in over a decade.
The bid was secured by Destination Gold Coast in partnership with Study Gold Coast and Study Queensland within Trade and Investment Queensland.
Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said the conference win highlights the benefits of Gold Coast’s ability to seamlessly integrate business events, leisure travel and education pathways in an enviable location.
“We are delighted the Gold Coast has been selected to host the 34th annual Australian International Education Conference, as we continue to solidify our reputation as a premier business events destination and a remarkable place to live, work, study and play,” she said.
“The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s best performing regional edu-tourism markets, with students and visiting family and friends contributing an estimated $1.7 billion in total economic value to the region.
“As a destination of extraordinary diversity, our unrivalled business events offering, authentic experiences and enviable climate are just some of the key reason’s organisers choose to host their conference on the Gold Coast, with many returning to paradise.
“The world-famous appeal of the Gold Coast is especially enticing for international education, so it is timely that this prestigious conference returns to the heart of Australia’s favourite playground.”
The four-day program, taking place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in October 2020, is hosted by IDP Education in conjunction with the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA).
IDP Education chief executive Andrew Barkla said: “It’s been 15 years since the conference was held on the Gold Coast, so it is an opportunity to reflect on the growth and success of Australia’s international education sector and the education opportunities international students are taking up in cities and towns around the country.
Study Gold Coast CEO Alfred Slogrove said he was very excited about the Gold Coast hosting the AIEC conference in 2020.
“AIEC will bring enormous benefits to the local education sector with direct engagement for our institutions and students on a national scale, providing collaborative opportunities across the sector while showcasing the region as a world-class education and training destination,” he said.
