AusLeisure

The City of Gold Coast last month resolved to amalgamate the functions delivered by HOTA, Destination Gold Coast, Major Events Gold Coast, Study Gold Coast and Placemakers into a new controlled entity, Experience Gold Coast.

As such, Former Queensland Airports boss Chris Mills has been appointed transition Chief Executive of the new entity.

Mills, whose experience includes tourism and leisure, events, aviation, venue management and property development, has been tasked with bringing together the five existing entities over the coming months.

Council’s decision will result in about $6.8 million in direct savings annually. These savings will be reinvested back into the entity for tourism, events, arts and education programs.

A $1.5 million community arts fund will also be established to support arts and cultural programming in the city.

In accordance with Council’s decision, City of Gold Coast Chief Executive Tim Baker appointed Mills along with a transition advisory committee made up of board members of the existing entities.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said Mills was a natural choice for the role of transition Chief Executive as he is a city leader with experience and passion for the Gold Coast.

Mayor Tate notes “Chris has experience across the relevant sectors, knows the Gold Coast and its markets intimately and has a proven track record.”

Experience Gold Coast will be charged with driving visitation growth and economic investment.

Mills said he saw the creation of the new organisation as an opportunity to align all the fantastic work being done by these five unique entities and shared “they are already delivering amazing outcomes for the city and I think together they will be unstoppable.”

Mills commenced as transition Chief Executive of Experience Gold Coast on 13th March and has been appointed for a six-month term. The Hon. Rob Borbidge has been appointed as the Chair of the transition advisory committee, along with the following directors from the existing entities:

Mayor Tom Tate

Tim Baker (City CEO)

Jackie Cross (MEGC)

Clark Kirby (Destination GC and MEGC)

Rebecca Frizelle (Destination GC)

Adam Twemlow (Destination GC)

Cameron Costello (HOTA)

Danielle Weiss (HOTA)

Marion Charlton (Placemakers)

Karen Dickinson (Study GC)

Council will appoint the board of directors for Experience Gold Coast in the coming months with the board then completing the recruitment process for the Chief Executive of the new entity.

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