Another technology solution for GCCEC, backed by Tourism Australia's Business Events Boost Program, which gives upfront grants covering up to 50% of planning costs for eligible conventions, incentives and exhibitions.
Australia’s largest regional convention centre, the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre (GCCEC), has expanded its virtual toolbox to support planners blocked by travel restrictions — extended reality (XR).
Measuring more than 200m long, 70m wide and 14m high, GCCECXR superimposes a virtual model of the venue onto a real-world surface through a user's mobile screen so clients can experience GCCEC in their own space.
The new next-generation app allows a site inspection on a 1:1 scale from any location globally, where the convention centre's spaces appear as a photorealistic 3D exhibition space, a gala dinner, and a seated arena.
"Its colossal size, and the fact you can walk anywhere to explore even small details, means you feel like you're actually there," said developer David Shering, Founder and Creative Director, Handbuilt Creative.
Michelle Mann, director of sales and marketing, GCCEC said, “Site tours are one of our key selling tools and with many clients unable to travel due to current regulations, we’ve developed new ways to allow them to view the venue from their own home or office. But this mixture of the virtual and real-world is by far the most exciting."
Earlier in April, GCCEC had launched GCCEC360: a 360-degree interactive virtual viewing tool, offering planners a way to conduct site inspections that are "as good as a physical tour". That resulted in more than 5,500 views in just eight weeks.
Just like for GCCEC360, the new XR project is supported by the Business Events Boost Program by Tourism Australia, ready to help out in such innovative projects since "domestic event activity is critical to getting the industry back on its feet," noted Robin Mack, executive GM commercial & business events Australia, Tourism Australia.