Destination Gold Coast

In this section:

• Your choice of accommodation (special convention rates)
• Complimentary transport between your hotel and the convention and other events
• Our Partners' Program
• Things to do on the Gold Coast – a great destination – stay for a while.

Great weather – check! Golden sun-drenched beaches – check! A variety of shopping and dining options for all tastes and budgets – check! Endless holiday activities for the whole family – check! Your visit to the fabulous Gold Coast for the 2009 Australian Trucking Convention doesn’t have to be all about business.

As a world renowned tourist destination, Queensland’s Gold Coast offers unrivalled holiday options for both families and couples. With this year’s convention to be held at the state-of-the-art Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, delegates will have easy access to nearby hotels, shopping and dining precincts, Conrad Jupiters Casino and of course, the sparkling white sands of Broadbeach itself.

With all these options on offer, wouldn’t this be the perfect opportunity to turn your trip to the Australian Trucking Convention into a family holiday or a much deserved getaway with your partner?

A visit to the Gold Coast simply isn’t complete without experiencing at least one of the fantastic family theme parks dotted around the area. Because this year’s Convention falls during the school holidays, this would be a great time to treat the kids to the thrills and excitement of Warner Bros Movie World. Test your courage on the Superman Escape – the amazing roller coaster ride experience that travels from zero to 100 in only two seconds.

To cool off after all the excitement, the kids can spend the rest of the day slipping and sliding at Wet and Wild Water World, or for a rare treat, they can come face to face with a polar bear or dolphin at Sea World.

In 2009, your other half can enjoy an exciting partners’ program that will run in parallel with Convention sessions. Partners of delegates can enjoy a full week of activities at some of the Gold Coast’s best attractions. This year, partners will be able to take in the gorgeous 360 degree views of the Gold Coast from QDeck, located on the 77th floor of the world’s tallest residential tower at Surfers Paradise.

Also on the program is an exquisite buffet lunch at the Hyatt Regency in Sanctuary Cove. Partners can sit back and relax while watching the chefs create mouth-watering dishes at the live hot and cold cooking stations.

When the business end of the Convention has finished, you can take a few days of rest and relaxation before heading back to the office, the workshop or jumping back behind the wheel. If you didn’t perform so well at the convention golf day, you could always pull out the clubs again and try to better your last round at one of the many scenic golf courses in the region.

As the saying goes, Queensland is beautiful one day and perfect the next. That’s exactly what delegates can expect weather wise with a balmy average of 25 degrees expected in the month of April – so don’t forget to pack the swimmers and make the most of the beautiful beaches that make this part of our country so famous.

And if you’ve always wanted to master the surf, perhaps get some tips from a pro during a surfing lesson in Surfers Paradise, or to wind down, head out to the Gold Coast Hinterland and do some taste testing at one of the award winning wineries.

When you’ve worked up an appetite after a day of activities, take your pick from an array of restaurants and cafes along Surf Parade or in Broadbeach Mall. Whether you’re after a casual meal or something more formal, your choices are endless with over 100 eateries within walking distance of the Convention Centre and partner hotels. To finish off the night, catch a show or enjoy a drink with friends at Conrad Jupiters Casino.

With all the boxes ticked its easy to see why you should extend your visit to the Gold Coast to include some rest and relaxation for yourself and your partner, or bring the kids along and experience all the thrills and excitement this fabulous destination has to offer.

Click here to go to your guide to 108 local secrets that uncover the very best of Australia’s Gold Coast. Use these insights to plan a Gold Coast holiday full of action, adventure, relaxation, indulgence or pure family fun.