WHEN it comes to corporate conferencing, the Gold Coast is a market leader in the industry for long-stay business tourism.

Griffith University Tourism Leisure Hotel and Sports Management Professor Michael Davidson says Queensland's famous charm and strong economy promote longer stays and incentives for business meetings.

He says demand for the Coast's diverse conference facilities - which offer extra curricular activities and a broad range of options when delegates step outside the conference facility - is high.

"The Gold Coast is positioned well, the weather is a good drawcard, ensuring climate safety, and it's also a stable place to offer the current international interests of the Asia Pacific, China, India and Middle East clients," he says.

"The corporate-business tourist is the highest yielding business a community can get. They pay more, want quality and they spend more. It's the economic multiplier effect - the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. Business tourism is three times larger than leisure, bringing in a high yield and low impact on the use of current infrastructure."

Professor Davidson says the Gold Coast has positioned itself well in the national and international incentive market, giving the best experience for the best incentive, and is competitively priced. He rates the Coast as seven out of 10 internationally and nine out of 10 nationally for quality of experience.

The quantity and quality of our unique, diverse landscape and attractions offer easy beach access with an abundance of restaurants able to cater to corporate requirements. Floating businesses with luxury yacht charters on the Broadwater and award-winning wineries add to the mix. Delegates can tee-off at elite golf courses or do business at national sporting events such as NBL (Blaze) and NRL (Titans) games that give meetings an exciting, competitive twist.

Dr Liz Fredline, a senior researcher for the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre, says the Gold Coast is trying to position itself as a business event destination and has the potential to capitalise with smaller to mid-sized groups.

"When gathering data, we asked delegates why they attend conferences and the number one reason is the business education component. Two is networking, number three location," she says.

Business corporate tourism in Australia is a $17 billion industry. The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre has received a $24 million State Government grant to extend its conference facilities, meeting the market's needs for functions that cater to more than 10,000 people.Gold Coast Tourism chief executive officer Pavan Bahtia says with a 30

He says the Coast is changing its 'king of leisure' status and becoming a balanced leisure and

In 2005, the Gold Coast generated almost $300 million in business tourism yield. Gold Coast Tourism's goal is to raise this figure to $1 billion by 2010.

Mr Bahtia says the recent Very Gold Coast Global Business Insights event, held at the convention centre, was broadcast live to delegates in Auckland, Singapore and Hong Kong, with more than 120 multi-nationals in each country tuning in.

"Never before had almost

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Fran Bailey has unveiled a $2.6 million Federal Government campaign - Re-energise in Australia - to attract more international conventions and business tourists.

"Australia has the best of both worlds - top-notch business facilities and great getaways for a relaxing, post-conference holiday," she says.

"Through Re-energise in Australia, we'll tell the top decision makers their conference Down Under can't wait any longer."

With clever marketing, the campaign will target business events, showing Australia as the best place for business tourists to be refreshed and rewarded. It is hoped the moves will generate $2.2 billion and create thousands of jobs. On average, event delegates spend six times more per day ($554) than leisure tourists ($94).The completion of the 2500m extension runway at Gold Coast Airport allows international flights to join New Zealand carriers in flying direct to the Gold Coast - putting us in a better position on the global market.

• Conrad Jupiters

• Crowne Plaza Royal Pines Resort,

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• O'Reilly's

• Sofitel Broadbeach

• Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa

• The Gold Coast Arts Centre,

• Twin Towns'