Want a career in events? This expert shares what it takes!
We’re counting down the days till our next Movers + Breakers conference and thought we’d catch up with some of the women who help bring the magic of these conferences to life.
As the head of Business Events at Destination Gold Coast, Selina Sinclair knows a thing or two about running a good event. We spoke to Selina about her advice to reach the top in the events game, how the GC stacks up against other global cities and where she loves to indulge in a cocktail.
Can you share with us your career journey to your current role as Head of Business Events with Destination Gold Coast?
I was born in Australia and relocated to London when I was 20 years old and was fortunate to have my first taste of business events tourism when I secured a job in the international events department in one of the UK’s well-known venue finding companies. I relocated to Singapore in 2012 to lead one of Asia's leading Destination Management companies, Pacific World, and it was there that my love for the Asia Pacific and the love for driving innovation and change within companies really began.
Fast forward to today and with a culmination of the experience I have been fortunate enough to gain, I am extremely excited to now be working with Destination Gold Coast to tell the Gold Coasts' story to the world.
You have business events experience from around the world including Australia, the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and China. How does the Gold Coast compare to other global cities when it comes to hosting events?
The Gold Coast is fortunate to possess stunning natural assets from 52km of golden beaches and lush rainforest to cool urban coastal precincts, all within a 45-minute radius, making it an incredible destination for business events. With 1 billion dollars spent on new hotel infrastructure and unique products and experiences in the past two years, the Gold Coast is coming out of the pandemic period with a unique competitive advantage.
Why is the Gold Coast a great destination for business events?
Once a sparse collection of seaside villages, imagination and hard work helped the Gold Coast rise to become not only Australia’s sixth largest city and one of the most famous leisure destinations in the world but now a leader in visionary thinking, it is one of the country’s most exciting business destinations.
A creative hub with limitless potential, the Gold Coast is redefining itself as a global city with investment taking place in world-class technology, research, education, film, and advanced manufacturing to name a few.
Our thriving economy and sought-after lifestyle are driving the Gold Coast into an exciting future of long-term, sustainable growth and endless possibilities.
In your opinion, what makes a business event exceptional?
Content that inspires and outcomes that go beyond the event and leave a legacy for the cities that host them
What’s been the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?
You're only as good as the legacy you leave behind you.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to have a career in events?
If you're looking for a career that will fill your heart with inspiration at every turn, and connect you to passionate, diverse and equally hard-working people then the events industry is for you.
If you could go back and tell your 20-something self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Remember to live in the moment
What advice do you have for women wanting to reach the top in their field?
Building relationships at all levels no matter the industry you work in is an essential ingredient to being the best at what you do.Always be true to the person you are and lift others along the way.
What are you most excited about with this Movers + Breakers conference?
I'm most excited to see so many amazing leaders here on the Gold Coast and no doubt through the connections made they will continue to achieve great things.Being creative at heart, of course, I'm also excited to see who wins the most creative costume award!
Fast five faves on the GC
Fave place for a picnic – Burleigh Hill
Fave restaurant with a view – Rick Shaw
Fave restaurant for a casual bite – Red Hot Cod
Fave bar for a cocktail – Grandad Jacks
Fave hotel for a stay-cation – Royal Pines
Locked in your spot for Movers + Breakers yet? Movers and Breakers is not your average conference. Each year we bring together 140 of our members for three days of extraordinary connection, learning, fun (a lot of fun!) and to hold space for you to be yourself. Movers and Breakers is an exclusive member-only experience and one of the most anticipated events on the Business Chicks calendar (the conference has sold out in just a few weeks year on year). Join us for a few days of magic with the best kind of people in one of Australia’s most beautiful places. Learn more here!
The imagination capital of Australia is all about combining everything that is globally known and loved about the Gold Coast with its purpose-built infrastructure to create memorable and extraordinary business events that can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world. Where else in the world can you indulge in breakfast onboard an ocean cruise while whale watching, then walk straight into your conference at a state-of-the-art venue before watching the sun set from our kilometres of golden beaches and end the day sipping a cocktail at a rooftop bar in the city at night? Only on the Gold Coast.