Our Vision for QLD - The Entertainment Technology Capital of Australia

Back in June the QLD State Government announced the creation of a Nightlife Economy Commissioner.  

Excerpt from the QLD Gov’s announcement 

The role would work with local entertainment businesses and venues to support, promote, and advocate for key aspects of the night life economy, with an emphasis on partnerships that encourage the growth, sustainability, and vibrancy of the diverse local businesses that underpin this important sector.

While Brisbane is a focus, the role is designed to bring positive change and economic growth to all our communities–whether that’s supporting a local pub in Toowoomba, a music festival in Cairns, or nightlife spots on the Sunshine Coast.

The announcement was an important moment for the local industry which had been dealing with some significant headwinds with the closure of venues, festivals and entertainment dependent business across the state.  It will help shape the future of our home state!

It got me thinking about the impact we (CAST) want to have across the state.  So I started to brain dump everything we’d spoken about in setting up CAST and it began to form somewhat of a plan of how we believe Queensland can become the entertainment technology capital of Australia.  

Here’s more or less my cover letter for the role of the Nightlife commissioner. I wanted to share this as a conversation starter, the first bit of paint on a blank canvas.  The more ideas we throw around, the greater plans we can develop.  

My vision for Queensland is to be the entertainment capital of Australia.  A city where technology and entertainment converge seamlessly thanks to a culture of innovation and experimentation, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit that is fostered through private and public partnerships.  

This vision can be delivered through a thriving and sustainable creative, arts, and hospitality scene, future-thinking sporting facilities, linked through entertainment precincts across Queensland - all connected through an ecosystem made of industry, peak bodies, innovators, researchers, venture capital, and all levels of government.  A home for venue owners, event organisers, entrepreneurs, creatives and athletes to leverage collective efforts, learn side by side to share knowledge, master their craft and, together, create the future of the entertainment industry.  

Delivering this vision will require a review of the current regulatory and legislative environment, identifying barriers and opportunities to ensure that relevant frameworks best support the growth of Queensland’s night economy and broader arts and entertainment industry, as well as mitigating risk for broader societal considerations. 

A critical component in building Queensland’s night economy and entertainment industry is refocusing current efforts to make fans a priority.  The fans of sport, the fans of art, the fans of entertainment, the diners and nightclubbers - the ones who put their hands in their pockets to support new hospitality ventures, buy the tickets, attend the events, buy the merchandise, and ultimately vote with their feet on whether venues, events, city precincts, and sections of the entertainment industry live or die.  How can we as an industry claim back our time and energy from day to day tasks that shift our focus, to bring us back to our customers… the fans?  And what supporting mechanisms are needed - from a legislative or regulatory perspective, through to the role innovation and technology play in enhancing the fan experience and profitability for the industry?

After recently presenting a white-paper and subsequently being invited to give evidence as part of the federal Parliamentary inquiry into the live music industry, some key takeaways were there’s very little ‘new money’ coming into the live music industry, even less new ideas, and no notable private investment.  There haven't been many industries that have stood the test of time without those three things.  The facts paint a picture of an industry that needs to evolve by learning from what has been but, more importantly, looking to what can be.

For there to be real change and evolution, various aspects of the entertainment industry cannot continue to operate in silos,  which is why the role of the Night Time Economy Commissioner is such an exciting opportunity and important role.  It is the first time that there’s been a single point of connection between all parts of ‘entertainment’.  

For the industry to survive and thrive, it can’t only be about a venue owner, a restaurant owner, the tourism industry, the events industry, the sporting industry; it has to be about what makes all of these industries possible…  the humans who want to enjoy special moments with family, friends and total strangers who are brought together for the love of entertainment. There is a key opportunity to explore how the currently siloed industries better connect and collaborate for more seamless fan experiences which will increase attendance across all industries.

This is a golden moment to attract new money, new ideas and new investment to create a thriving nightlife economy here in Queensland, particularly with the backdrop of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We can make Queensland a magnet for the most exciting entertainment technology from across the world.  What does that look like?

• The NightLife Economy Commissioner is a connection between each part of the ‘entertainment industry’. Someone who can be above the noise of the day to day and isn’t wedded to the current status quo for the survival of their own business interests but rather is able to be open to the changes that may be required for the to industry flourish now and in the future.

• Visibility and awareness across sectors on entertainment technology

• Prioritising  innovation and experimentation of new technologies as part of existing government grants.

• Creating clear pathways for the trial and adoption of new technologies through private and public partnerships.  

• Incubation of ideas and attraction of talent. (eg: Audible programs in New Jersey). 
  
  

These five steps lay the foundation for the creation of a culture in Queensland that has innovation and technology adoption baked into it.  

I’m incredibly excited about what’s possible here in Queensland over the coming decade and truly believe we can be a global magnet for the most exciting entertainment technology.