Gartner Symposium/ITxpo Goes to the Gold Coast in 2011

November 17, 2010 | Comments Off

Queensland welcomes return of major annual technology industry conference

Sydney, Australia,
November 14, 2010
—
Gartner Inc., the world’s largest technology research and advisory firm, will hold its flagship annual conference in the Asia Pacific region on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia from 2011. Gartner Symposium/ITxpo will be held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre from 15-17 November 2011.

Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the largest annual gathering of chief information officers (CIOs) and senior information technology (IT) executives in Australia, attracting 1,500 attendees each year. The event was last held in Queensland in 2001.

Terry Pascoe, group vice president Asia Pacific and Japan at Gartner, said that after holding the event in Sydney for nine years, the relocation was an exciting change with considerable benefits for delegates and sponsors.

“Our primary goal in returning to Queensland is to improve the quality of the Symposium experience for delegates and exhibitors,” said Mr. Pascoe. “The facilities and flexibility of the Gold Coast Convention Centre was a major factor in our decision, as well as the variety of experiences on offer to delegates in and around the venue.”

“It will create a real ‘Symposium community’ that will enable us to offer benefits to our clients such as improved networking and interactive sessions throughout the event,” Mr Pascoe said. “Our exhibitors will also appreciate even better marketing opportunities and new ways for them to interact with our delegates.”

Gold Coast City Council and Tourism Queensland have welcomed the move.

“I recently met with Gartner and am delighted that this leading edge technology industry conference will be staged on the Gold Coast from November next year,” said Gold Coast City Council CEO Dale Dickson.

“This is a real opportunity for CIOs and other senior decision makers from hundreds of national and international companies to see first hand what the coast can offer their industry as well as lifestyle opportunities for their staff.

“We have recently seen IBM announce plans to expand its operations here. Part of Council’s Bold Future strategy is to broaden the coast’s economic base from tourism and construction, to IT and manufacturing so it is a real bonus to have a conference of this nature being staged here from 2011.”

Gartner believes the new location will not only appeal to a broader range of executives from Australia, but also increase the number of delegates from Asia.

“Queensland is the ‘gateway to Asia’ with direct flights from many Asian hubs to Brisbane or the Gold Coast, so we believe this move will also encourage more of our Asian clients to join us,” said Mr. Pascoe.

About Gartner Symposium/ITxpo

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2010, Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the world’s most important gathering of CIOs and senior IT executives. This event delivers independent and objective content with the authority and weight of the world’s leading IT research and advisory organisation, and provides access to the latest solutions from key technology providers. Gartner’s annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of attendees’ annual planning efforts. IT executives rely on Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to gain insight into how their organisations can use IT to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency. Additional information is available at www.gartner.com/symposium

As well as the Asia Pacific event held in Australia, Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is currently held in: