Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Modern LED performance, delivered through existing infrastructure

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) has transformed the lighting capabilities of its exhibition halls with a new GDS LED system, delivering precise colour control while making use of the venue’s existing infrastructure.

As part of a multimillion-dollar technology investment, 168 new LED fixtures have been installed across four exhibition halls, giving event organisers greater flexibility to create everything from functional exhibition environments to bold, fully coloured event spaces.

Making existing infrastructure work harder

GCCEC is a major business events venue in Broadbeach, Queensland, hosting conferences, exhibitions, and live events across its purpose-built spaces.

The lighting upgrade presented an opportunity to significantly increase the venue’s creative and technical capabilities, but without introducing unnecessary disruption or replacing infrastructure that was already in place.

At the heart of the installation were three variants of track that had been in use for around 20 years. Rather than replacing this existing infrastructure, GDS and our Australian partners at Jands, developed a solution that could utilise the track already installed within the exhibition halls.

The result was a modern LED lighting system built around GDS Drive Hub and IPM2 technology, allowing both power and data to be delivered over the existing mains architecture.

Power and data through the existing track

The installation uses 168 GDS LED fixtures, providing more than 840 individually controllable colour channels across the four exhibition halls.

GDS Harmony Sirius Pro 120W RGBWW fixtures provide the primary lighting solution, giving GCCEC precise control over colour and intensity. Through the IPM2 protocol, power and control data are carried through the existing infrastructure, removing the need for separate control cabling to each fixture. This gives the venue a level of control that would traditionally require a significantly more complex infrastructure.

Lighting can be programmed as a unified environment across an entire hall or controlled more selectively to create different atmospheres and zones. For exhibition organisers, this could mean understated lighting that complements a stand or display; for gala dinners and special events, the same system can deliver more dynamic colour and visual effects.

The system is supported by GDS IPM2 Smart BOB 5Ch units and Drive Hub, providing the underlying power and control architecture.

A 20-year-old track, transformed

One of the defining aspects of the project was the ability to integrate the new technology with the three existing variants of 20-year-old track. This allowed GCCEC to upgrade its lighting capability without replacing the track infrastructure throughout the halls. It also meant the installation could be completed with minimal disruption to the venue. The collaboration between GDS and Jands was central to delivering the project, with Eddie Galak of Jands and Bill Price of GDS working together to a challenging programme. The installation and commissioning of this system was completed over a single weekend.

More flexibility for every event

The completed system gives GCCEC a permanent, highly controllable lighting platform that can be adapted to different event requirements without relying on the same level of temporary production infrastructure for every show. For the venue, that means greater creative freedom alongside a simpler approach to event delivery. Organisers can use the exhibition halls as more than just blank spaces, with lighting now forming part of the environment and identity of an event from the moment delegates arrive.