Applications are open for the first round of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (GCCEC) innovative program that links academics and professionals with the opportunity to attend an international conference in their chosen field.
GCCEC’s 2019 Linkage Grant Program provides grants of up to $5000 to facilitate professional and personal development in the form of travel and increased industry knowledge through the attendance of a conference. In return, the recipient of the Linkage Grant champions GCCEC as a choice for future international conferences and exhibitions through their new professional networks.
Attendance at conferences provides the opportunity to learn about the latest thinking, trends and innovations, as well as the ability to network with peers and establish links to professional colleagues.
Meet a recent recipient Dr Oz Sahin of Griffith University. Dr Sahin holds a PhD and is affiliated with the Griffith Climate Change Response Program and the School of Engineering.
Dr Sahin received $5000 through the Linkage Program to travel to Italy last year to attend an annual international conference on sustainability and while there, lobbied for GCCEC to win the honour of being the first Australian convention centre to host the conference.
The GCCEC Linkage Grant program has now been established for seven years with 13 applicants who have travelled as part of the program and to date, has provided more than 70 conference leads for GCCEC. Currently, the Centre is in the bid phase for seven international conferences with the potential to bring millions into the Gold Coast economy.
Applications are now open for the first round of the 2019 Linkage Grant program, closing 3 May.