The Gold Coast will play host to the first Global Surf Cities Conference in the days preceding the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Surf Events, specifically 28 February and 1 March, 2013.
The premise of the conference is to assemble leading surf city representatives from around Australia and the world to hear from internationally acclaimed speakers in the themes of surf business, innovation in surf, surf tourism, coastal management, surf city governance and more.
The two major aims of the Conference are to establish a platform for networking among surf cities to develop globally sustainable surf industries, and to develop frameworks for international collaboration in surf industry education, employment and global career mobility.
The keynote address will discuss the findings of the Benchmarking Global Best Practice, Innovation and Leadership in Surf City Tourism, a study currently being undertaken by the Gold Coast Surf City Inc. committee, who is facilitating the Conference.
Gold Coast Surf City Inc. (GCSC) is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the continued growth and vitality of the Gold Coast surf cluster as a “global industry leader.”
Formally known as the Gold Coast Surf Industry Taskforce, GCSC was formed in February 2011 as part of a Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) initiative to help grow and support the $3.3 billion surf industry on the Gold Coast. The committee acts as a single collective voice for the surf industry on the Gold Coast, and through its endeavours, promotes the multi-billion dollar economic input to the area.
Registrations are now open for this inaugural event, through the following website: http://www.cvent.com/d/kcqddh
The 2013 Global Surf Cities Conference will be staged at the historic/heritage listed Kirra Community Centre, which overlooks the fabled Kirra surf break. The conference will also play host to the World Surf Cities Network Annual General Meeting, an initiative that commenced in San Sebastian, Spain in 2011.
The WSCN network consists of nine leading surf cities from around the world including the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Donostia-San Sebastian in Spain, Arica in Chile, Durban in South Africa, Ericeira in Portugal, Hossegor in France, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain and Santos in Brazil.
This network is set to expand to include further Australian and international cities at the conference. The WSCN is aimed s at encouraging a collaboration of and information sharing to create and maintain a globally sustainable surf industry.
The conference will also be a surf manufacturing trade demonstration, giving delegates a chance to interact and watch some of the Gold Coast’s leading craftsmen as they showcase the methods and techniques of surf board shaping.
The conference will finish on Friday 1st March on the corporate deck at the Quicksilver and Roxy Pro trials, a great opportunity to see the Gold Coast Surf industry in action and see some amazing surfing from the world’s best.
Here’s an opportunity for local businesses to benefit from industry funding opportunities to develop fresh skills and knowledge on key issues in your business.
