The four-day meeting at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) in September 2032 is expected to draw 1,400 delegates and inject $6.5 million into the economy. Attendees are anticipated to travel from Europe, North and South America and Asia to attend the congress.
“What makes this congress particularly exciting is its timing,” said Andrea Molnar, who recently stepped up from an acting role to become the new business events director for Experience Gold Coast.
“As a host region for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Gold Coast will be at the centre of global conversations around sport, performance, health, innovation and legacy.
“Hosting ICSES in 2032 gives us an opportunity to build on the investment, expertise and international connections generated by the Games and create benefits that extend well beyond the event itself.”
Hosting ICSES has been a long time coming for the Gold Coast, with Gold Coast surgeon Dr Ezekiel Tan starting work on the bid in 2018.
Tan is a orthopaedic hand and upper limb surgeon at Gold Coast University Hospital and a member of the Gold Coast’s business events ambassador program, BE Connected.
“It is a privilege to be selected to host the 18th International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery in 2032, Queensland’s Olympic and Paralympic year,” said Tan.
“This international congress only occurs every three years and was last hosted in Australia in 1998, in Sydney.
“The ability to attract an event of this calibre to the Gold Coast is a testament to the city, as well as the quality and strength of Australian surgical research and expertise.”
The conference has support from both Tourism and Events Queensland and the national business events subvention fund, managed by Tourism Australia.
Tourism Australia’s executive general manager of industry and business events, Sally Cope, also commented on the timing of the congress.
“The timing of this world-leading medical congress, in the same year that Australia will be hosting the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will help to further demonstrate the exceptional capabilities we have to offer as a business events destination,” she said.
