The Gold Coast Innovation Hub’s International speaker series are bi-monthly events bringing the world to the Gold Coast by facilitating local connections to diplomats in Trade and Business. Each event will focus on a different global region and will provide insights into the economic climate, technological advancements, and opportunities to collaborate.

Set in the luxurious Hilton Hotel in the heart of Surfers Paradise, you will have an opportunity to network with local business leaders and our guest speakers before enjoying a magnificent two-course meal served throughout the presentations.

March Event: Economic Recovery and New Opportunities in the Philippines

To drive economic recovery, we must think forward and develop relationships with countries that are open to collaboration and connectivity to develop new business.

In our March event, guests will hear from the Honourable Consul of the Philippines, Margaret Grummit, and the Vice-President of the Australia Philippine Council on Innovations in the Philippines and business opportunities between Australia and the Philippines.

Honorable Guest Speakers:

Consul-General of the Philippines, Mrs. Margaret Grummitt

Mrs. Grummit’s role as the Philippine Hon. Consul General is to assist the local Philippine Communities and to foster trade and investment between Queensland and the Philippines. Previously Mrs. Grummit was a Divisional Councillor for the City of Gold Coast and was elected Councillor three times, she held that position for over 11 years. A graduate of the Queensland Police Academy, Mrs. Grummit worked with the Queensland Police Service for 30 years and retired from the police force at the rank of Senior Sergeant. Mrs. Grummit also held the position of Prosecutor at the Southport Court House in the very challenging role of Domestic Violence Court Prosecutor.

Vice President of the Australian Philippine Business Council, Mr. Rafael Toda

Founded in April 1975, the Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) has established itself as the premier private sector organization focussed on increasing and strengthening trade and investment between Australia and the Philippines. The APBC attracts members from many industries based in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Philippines. Today more than 50 organizations ranging from SMEs to large, high profile companies are part of the APBC network. Mr. Toda is the managing director of Todax Consultancy Group – a strategic consultancy practice specialling in Change Management across a number of industry sectors including mass transportation/new mobility and renewable energy. He is also a Director of Go Gridless, a leading renewable energy company in the Philippines.