Welcome to the first edition of the City Economic Update! Each quarter, these updates will provide important data and relevant information to help inform decision making for local business.

In this edition:

• Manufacturing is now our third largest industry
• Gold Coast Business Portal
• Gold Coast LoRaWAN Whitepaper
• A destination for sport
• Business grant opportunities
• Arab Health 2022 and Expo 2020
• City Economic Dashboard
• Upcoming programs and events

Manufacturing is now our third largest industry

Manufacturing is now the third largest sector on the Gold Coast, contributing $2.7 billion in Gross Value Added to our economy.

Gold Coast manufacturing in gross value-added has shown a strong regional competitive effect relative to manufacturing industries from Queensland and Australia.

Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 shock in the economy, the manufacturing sector has continued to perform strongly across a number of sub-sectors on the Gold Coast.

There are currently 1,245 self-employing businesses, 1,609 small and medium-sized businesses and 6 large businesses on the Gold Coast. In 2019-20, there were approximately 22,880 employed persons within the manufacturing industry.

The sub-sectors in manufacturing that have grown significantly include textile, leather, clothing and footwear; chemical products; and metal products.

When compared across the country, Gold Coast is the city that comes out on top with the most comparative advantage in the Textile, Leather, Clothing and Footwear sub-sector.

For a full report on the latest key findings click here.

Gold Coast Business Portal

The GCB Portal has now launched and business opportunities are already being matched.

Join the community on GCB Portal​ today for:

• Simple set up and search facility
• Free to sign up and free to source
• Fast smart matching to match you to the right businesses, faster
• Local, person-to-person support
• Confidentiality and NDAs

The GCB Portal is an automated resource sharing portal designed to help businesses manage and leverage capacity fluctuations.

The portal uses smart technology to connect businesses that are under-utilised with other businesses that need specific specialist services.

Adapting to change is key to successfully managing business.

The portal provides a quick and easy way to reallocate business resources as demand changes, while keeping jobs on the Gold Coast.

The portal connects business to a network of businesses from all industries for mutual benefit. It is free to sign-up and free to source support.

Business can get started today.

Businesses will receive a welcome call to step them through the registration process and portal.

For further information go to www.gcbportal.com.au

Business grant opportunities

Local businesses can take advantage of the many grants that are available to them.

For more information on funding available follow the links below:

• Energy Efficient Communities Program – Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Grants
• Catalysing the Artificial Intelligence Opportunity in Our Regions Round 1
• Securing Raw Materials Program Round 2
• Coles Nurture Fund
• Moon to Mars Initiative: Trailblazer Stage 1
• NAB Foundation Community Grants – 2022
• Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) Round 4

Arab Health 2022 and Expo 2020

City of Gold Coast Tradestart travelled with six local and innovative businesses to Dubai last month, to attend two events: Arab Health 2022, the largest health trade show in the world and Expo 2020.

The City has attended Arab Health’s annual exhibition since 2006, which attracts 3,590 exhibitors from 190 countries.

As the largest sector on the Gold Coast, Health employs over 32,000 people on the Gold Coast, making international trade missions a key component of continued growth.

A number of companies did business at the trade show, which is unusual in the Middle East where timelines from initial meeting to ink drying on contracts can take years. This is wonderful news as the Gold Coast brand has been gaining strong recognition and respect.

Productive meetings were held with the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP) with His Excellency Ian Halliday, Australian Consul General to Dubai and General Manager Trade and Investment, Middle East, Africa and Turkey & Deputy Consul General and Trade Commissioner to Dubai, John Cavanagh along with Austrade BDM, Jasin Thaj.

If you are exporting or considering expanding off-shore and would like to access assistance provided by the City of Gold Coast, please e-mail export@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Queensland artisan producer liquor licence adds fizz to Gold Coast hospitality

A burst of new artisan distilleries is reshaping and modernising the Gold Coast’s hospitality scene – pushing a city famous for its nightlife to the vanguard of a new global trend.

Offering a new level of maturity to match any capital city and an alternative to traditional bars and clubs that helped earn the Gold Coast its “glitter strip” title, the city has emerged as a hotspot for artisan liquor producers and “new-premise” drinking experiences.

Sparkling hard seltzer producer Hard Fizz, which only began production in July 2020, has responded to overwhelming demand to open its Burleigh-based distillery to patrons four evenings a week.

For more on this story, please click here.

Coming soon: City Economic Dashboard

The City is developing a City Economic Dashboard where key economic indicators for the Gold Coast will be displayed and compared to Queensland and Australian benchmarks.

The dashboard will be updated monthly and be a single source of truth for businesses looking for quick access to economic stats.

Below is an example of the insights you will be able to access via the City Economic Dashboard.

Upcoming opportunities and events

SCREEN FOREVER 36

28 March - 30 March 2022

Uniting the pillars of entertainment, media and technology, SCREEN FOREVER is one of the largest congregations of screen industry professionals in the Southern Hemisphere and attended by The Who’s Who in Australian screen business – the leading Australian and international industry practitioners involved in all aspects of producing, creating, writing, directing, distributing and financing screen content across film, television, games, interactive and online. 

Register

AUSTRALIAN SUPERYACHT, MARINE EXPORT AND COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY (ASMEX) CONFERENCE

16 - 18 May 2022

As the flagship conference in Australia for the marine export industry, ASMEX builds on its solid reputation for delivering quality and current industry information and invaluable networking opportunities. The conference has gained significant momentum over the last nine years and continues to attract a significant presence of Australian delegates and speakers. 

Register

SANCTUARY COVE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

19 - 22 May 2022

Attracting over 50,000 visitors in 2021, the Show continues to live up to its reputation as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier marine event. With over 300 exhibitors and 600 boats on display, be treated to best-in-class superyachts, fishing boats, trailers, watercraft, marine tech and much more. 

Register

THE 80 TWENTY HOTEL CONFERENCE

14 June 2022

The 80 TWENTY Hotel Conference will be at the Gold Coast for a whole day conference on the 14th of June 2022, at The Dorsett. The upcoming event provides attendees with the opportunity to gain valuable insights from accommodation experts and industry leaders. 

Register

To check out other events within the City of Gold Coast, please click here.

Are you a local business? Register your event here.

Have your Say

Kurrawa Beach Club

Are you a local business? Have your say about the Kurrawa Beach Club trial. Your feedback will inform the future direction of Gold Coast beach club opportunities.

Submit feedback

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