Be My Guest Mega-event.

Delivering a WOW experience

Inspiring Gold Coasters to Deliver a Warm Welcome

The Lineup

3 panels of inspiring guest speakers.

An indigenous legend of the humble macadamia nut linked to the Queen’s Baton.

900 inspired guests from the tourism, hospitality, larger business and Gold Coast community. 

Be My Guest Mega-event rocked!

We started with a unique ‘Welcome to Country’ by Stacey Fogarty with the Dreamworld Corroboree crew. 

Official address by our Mayor Tom Tate.

Craig Williams, respected elder of the Yugambeh people, shared the story of the macadamia nut. 

BMG mega event Tom

Core Be My Guest Principles

1.  Guest Mindset

2. Global Locals Pride & Passion

3. Welcome, Action, Thank to WOW our guests

What will be our Legacy

Panel 1:  Our Events & People Panel.  

Natalie Marcon of GOLDOC talked about the “Single source of Truth” – gc2018 app. Kate Fell Co-Director of Festival 2018 shared the excitement of Festival 2018 and Warren Young City of Gold Coast Chief Lifeguard reminded us that part of a WOW guest experience means a safe experience!

Panel 2:  Our Women of the World Panel.

Akayla McQuire, rising rugby star, juggling representation of three different rugby codes, working at Dreamworld Corroboree and studying as well – she spoke about importance of teamwork.  Julie McDonald OAM Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist reminded us that we all have a chance to leave a legacy.  Marion Charlton  Chief Operating Officer of Gold Coast Airport shared how the airport team is preparing to welcome 70 nations of athletes and officials – with their unusual sporting equipment!

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Julie McDonald OAM shared her insta-moments of the Mega-event
Stacey, Karen & Akayla
L-R Stacey Fogarty (Dreamworld), Karen Inglis-Turner (Gold Coast Food & Wine Tours) & Akayla McQuire (Dreamworld)

Panel 3:  Our Athletes Panel.

Ken Wallace World Kayaking Champion, Olympian and multi-medallist. Rising Paralympians Nic Beveridge for Triathlon and Matt McShane for Basketball spoke of their expectations as athletes in another country.  They all represented Australia in Rio 2014.  Rio’s Legacy for them?  Amazing place – want to return because of the people!

Jingeri Jingeri

The finale was a rap – summarizing our morning and key messages.  Our good friend, international musician and children’s author, Lucas Proudfoot supported the rap with the didgeridoo and guitar – along with our guest speakers, Borobi, and our guests in the audience, it was a fitting end to the Be My Guest Mega-Event!

Jingeri is “hello” in the local Yugambeh People’s language.

Jingeri, Welcome to the Gold Coast.  Jingeri, Be My Guest.  Jingeri, Thank you for choosing us!

Key messages:  Collaboration and teamwork;  Be prepared to host the world;  Share the Dream;  Own the Legacy!

Special thanks to all those who came to be inspired – we hope you were.  Huge thank you to City of Gold Coast, State Government Office of Commonwealth Games, Destination Gold Coast, sponsors Tropical Fruit World for the macadamia nuts, Swimming Australia and Athletics Australia for the tickets to watch the Australian selection trials.

Borobi joined us in the finale of Jingeri, Jingeri, Welcome to the Gold Coast, Jingeri, Jingeri, Be My Guest!