Uncover the Gold Coast's Best Exhibition Venues

Exhibitions are a great way to promote products, services, and works of art, enabling businesses and artists to engage directly with their audiences. Choosing the right venue is vital when organising a trade show, an art exhibition, or a corporate display. The Gold Coast, famous for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural environment, and booming business community, provides various venues for different exhibitions. Showcase your products with a stunning display at one of the excellent exhibition venues on the Gold Coast. Read on to take a look at our planning guide for your next corporate event:

Types of Gold Coast Exhibition Venue Hire

The Gold Coast has numerous exhibition-hire venues offering distinctive features and amenities. Some of the most popular types of exhibition venues on the Gold Coast include:

Convention Centres

Gold Coast convention centres are some of the most upscale places for holding big exhibitions. These centres host national and international events and feature large exhibition spaces, breakout areas, and up-to-date audiovisual facilities. Facilities offer multi-purpose venues capable of accommodating various exhibitions simultaneously with thousands of guests. Equipped with event management services from experts and on-site catering, convention centres are the best place to hold an exhibition that demands a strong infrastructure.

Hotels and Resorts

Most of the resorts and hotels on the Gold Coast provide specifically designed event venues that are best suited for exhibitions. They are usually self-contained with upmarket amenities, hi-tech facilities and catering services, which make them a comfortable venue for visitors. Surfers Paradise hotels have elegant ballrooms and meeting rooms that suit small and large exhibitions. With various meeting rooms and function spaces, the attendees are guaranteed an experience combining professionalism and relaxation. The advantage of hosting at a hotel is the ease, as attendees can move from their rooms to the event with no problem of transport.

Outdoor Spaces

For those looking to create a fresh and inviting atmosphere for their exhibitions, the Gold Coast offers several outdoor venues that provide a tranquil setting for events. Parks, gardens, and beachfront areas showcase stunning landscapes for exhibitions.

Blank Canvas Venues

Blank canvas event spaces provide an open space that event organisers can use to express their creativity and tailor the venue to suit the theme and essence of their exhibition. Typically located in converted warehouses or modern industrial complexes, blank canvas event spaces provide large, open areas that can be customised to become unique exhibition areas. You can transform these versatile spaces with your choice of décor, lighting, and installations, and reconfigure the layout with temporary partitions or modular furnishings.

Budgeting Your Exhibition Event on the Gold Coast

Having a realistic budget is essential when organising an exhibition on the Gold Coast because it allows you to design a great experience without overextending yourself financially. Below are crucial points to include when budgeting for your exhibition event:

Venue Costs

Your venue hire cost will probably be the largest area of your budget. Prices can also vary greatly depending on the location and type of venue, as well as how long you require it. Convention centres and hotels often have fixed rental fees or are charged by event size. Package deals covering equipment and staffing may be available at some venues, so requesting detailed quotations is essential. You should expect to pay about AUD 40 to AUD 60 per head on average, so calculate according to your anticipated turnout. Note that there can be seasonal variation in costs, with the tourist season possibly raising costs. Consider negotiating for off-peak dates to cut expenses.

A Guide to Crafting a Budget-friendly Event

Audiovisual Equipment

Quality audiovisual equipment is essential for any modern exhibition, whether hosting presentations, displaying digital art, or offering virtual tours. Budget for rentals or services, and inquire if the venue provides AV technical support, which can save both cost and logistical headaches.

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Staffing

Consider the number of staff necessary for your event, including registration personnel, ushers, security, and technical support. Most venues provide in-house staffing options, and this can make recruitment and management more effortless. If you require specialist staff, consider the cost of recruitment and include it in your budget. You should also consider training time, particularly if your exhibition involves staff using particular technology or knowing specific procedures. Ensuring that you provide proper training means that your event will operate smoothly and your visitors will enjoy a better experience.

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Catering

Catering is an essential aspect of any exhibition event, because it directly impacts the overall experience of your attendees. Budget for catering by keeping various factors such as the size of guests, the nature of food, and the service style in mind. Here's how you can approach this part of your planning:

1. Type of Catering: Determine if you prefer to provide a complete sit-down dinner, buffet, hors d'oeuvres, food stations, or even just simple refreshments. Each will significantly impact your expenses. For example, a buffet or "stations" style may be less expensive than a plated dinner service.
2. Catering Services: Most venues have preferred or exclusive caterers they work with, making logistics easier. But if you have special requirements or a theme that requires a special cuisine option, see if you can bring in an outside caterer and inquire about any fees involved.
3. Menu Selection: The menu can be minimal or lavish, depending on your financial budget. Including various options for individuals with different dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly options, should not be disregarded, even within a limited budget, to create an inclusive menu.
4. Beverage Selection: Options for beverages can range from extremely broad to extremely limited and can significantly affect your budget. Determine whether you will have a full bar, a limited selection of wines and beers, or no alcohol. When choosing this option, consider your guests' tastes, the mood of the party, and the duration of the event.

Elevate Your Event with the Right Catering Options

Book your corporate event spaces today!

The Gold Coast provides many choices for staging successful exhibitions, ranging from convention centres and art galleries to unusual outdoor spaces and cultural institutions. The ideal venue can determine the success of your event, providing a fruitful and stimulating experience for all exhibitors and visitors.

At VenueNow, we realise the significance of getting the ideal venue for your corporate events. Our website offers an extensive range of exhibition venues on the Gold Coast, so you can browse and compare possibilities that suit your needs easily. Give it a try today!

How much do Gold Coast exhibition venues cost?

Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Gold Coast exhibition venues cost between 80 per person and 120 per person. For example, a 200 person exhibition would cost approximately 16000-24000. Costs may differ based on your food and beverage requirements, AV requirements, event date and time and the type of venue you decide to book.

What are the top Gold Coast exhibition venues?

Here are some of our favourite Gold Coast exhibition venues:

1. The Well
2. Oaks Gold Coast
3. Voco Gold Coast
4. Mercure Gold Coast Resort
5. Mantra Legends Hotel
6. Mantra on View Hotel
7. Dreamworld
8. InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort
9. QT Gold Coast
10. Novotel Surfers Paradise

How do I find and book Gold Coast exhibition venues?

Finding and booking a Gold Coast exhibition venue is easy with VenueNow, simply follow these steps:1. Enter Gold Coast as your location and exhibition as your event type into VenueNow's search engine.2. Narrow down your search results by entering more filters such as number of people, event date, room layout and budget.3. Send enquiries to venues to request pricing and availability (we recommend sending 3-5 enquiries to different venues to ensure you get the best price).4. Review your quotes and connect directly with your favourite venues to book a site visit and finalise your booking.5. Host your event!

How far in advance should I book a Gold Coast exhibition venue?

On average, VenueNow customers book a Gold Coast venue 90 days in advance of the event. For larger events and event dates in December we recommend allowing additional time as there may be limited availability.

Can VenueNow help me find a Gold Coast exhibition venue?

We sure can! VenueNow's team of Venue Booking Experts can help you find the perfect venue, collect quotes from multiple venues on your behalf, negotiate the best price with venues and book venues, all for free. Simply send us your event brief and our team will be in contact with venue recommendations within 24-48 hours.