Why not Toowoomba?
Toowoomba has long hosted a variety of cultural and community events, such as the Carnival of Flowers, Meatstock, and Red Hot Summer. These events are important for the local community, offering a platform to showcase the region’s talents and fostering a sense of pride. However, despite their significance, the economic benefits of these events can sometimes be less impactful than expected.
While events like the Carnival of Flowers attract up to 400,000 visitors over the month of September, the economic boost for local businesses is seasonal and, leaves gaps in economic activity during the rest of the year.
One way to fill these gaps is to create a dedicated space for conferences and large-scale gatherings. Toowoomba currently lacks a centralised events and conference centre in the CBD, limiting its ability to host major business conferences, exhibitions, and international events. Without such a facility, Toowoomba is missing out on opportunities to attract a broader range of visitors, encourage longer stays, and generate more substantial economic activity for local businesses and reinvigorate the CBD.
In 2023 the Toowoomba Chamber engaged Chamber member Aspect Architects and Project Managers to create a fly-through of a proposed events and conference centre on Anand St, on the current council owned carpark and some adjoining buildings. The project would more than double the number of publicly available carparks on the site in addition to the events and conference facilities, commercial and retail spaces, greenspaces, and inner-city living.
An events and conference centre in the heart of Toowoomba would act as a catalyst for economic development, drawing national and international conferences, trade shows, and corporate events. This would provide a consistent flow of visitors throughout the year, supporting hospitality, accommodation, retail, and service industries, and offering a much-needed boost to the local economy. Investing in such infrastructure could unlock Toowoomba’s full potential as a regional business and tourism destination, benefiting the community in the long run.
What are your thoughts?
Let us know by emailing admin@toowoombachamber.com.au
