IAN SOLOMON
Ian is a long established Gold Coast business identity with private interests in real estate, finance, facilities management and the commercialisation of new technologies.

Following a number of trips to the Middle East and as the only private sector representative of the 2004 Sister City Delegation, Ian has been the prime-mover in establishing a specific Gold Coast City - Dubai Chamber of Commerce and setting about entering a formal MOU with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to founding and holding a position of inaugural Director of the new Chamber, Ian has had a lengthy and broad involvement across a wide range of community service and economic development fronts including 6 years as President of Southport Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., Queensland's longest established chamber of commerce and representing some 300 business operators, 2000 employees and 8,000 dependant family members.

Ian was at the fore of the Chamber's efforts bringing about a renewal to the business heart of Southport, Gold Coast City's primary business area. Many cranes on the skyline are testament that Southport, after many years of stagnation, is once again making forward strides. An innovative new town plan and sustained expansion of Chamber membership and diversity of activity were milestones of his Presidency.

In addition to the Chamber of Commerce, Ian has been active holding executive positions in many areas including the Liberal Party of Australia, the Police Community Consultative Committee, Budds Beach Community Association, and four years as a Council member of the South East Queensland Regional Electricity Council (a State Government Ministerial appointment). He has served on several Gold Coast City Council advisory committees including Town Planning, Centre Improvement Program, Vision 2020 Harbour Study (delving into how to fix and fund management of the Gold Coast harbour and its surrounds), and City Image (how Gold Coast is perceived by corporate and Government decision-makers in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra).

Ian has been the recipient of a Hospitality Award for services to the City’s Tourism Industry, and is an Honorary Life Member of Southport Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc.

He has lived on the Gold Coast for 22 years, is married to Kim Elliott and lives in Surfers Paradise. In his spare time Ian enjoys fine wine, current affairs, travel and surfing his PWC in the Pacific Ocean.



ROB BALANDA
Rob Balanda is one of Queensland’s leading legal practitioners and a founding partner of the Gold Coast firm McDonald Balanda established over 30 years ago.

An accomplished presenter, published author and lecturer, Rob is acclaimed for his expertise in the areas of property and project development, asset and businesses sales and purchases, planning and environment law, corporation law and body corporate management law.

His list of clients includes many prominent developers and financiers of an extensive list of landmark projects as well as often acting for the Gold Coast City Council including all of the legal work in relation to the last Whole of City Town Planning Scheme.

Major project involvement has included rezoning, construction, road closure, car parking requirements, sealing of plans, etc. for many A-list properties including West Burleigh Shopping Centre, Oasis on Broadbeach Shopping Centre, the Pan Pacific Hotel, Niecon Plaza, Victoria Square, Gold Coast International Hotel, The Marriott Surfers Paradise Resort Hotel, Grand Mecure Hotel and the 600 lot Byron Hills Estate at Byron Bay.

In addition to his legal practice, Rob has been Vice President of the Citizens Advice Bureau, President of Gold Coast Toastmasters, and is a past Chairman of the Gold Coast Technical and Further Education College Association.

His best-selling book “Clauses Made Simple”, a legal precedent of clauses to assist people prepare real estate and business sale contracts, has become an industry standard and has been complimented by audio and CD versions. He is also published in the areas of asset protection and Joint Ventures and lectures both locally and internationally at seminars, industry functions and conventions.

As a regular contributor to Australasia’s leading “Australian Property Investor” magazine on legal topics as well as numerous other contributions to a host of publications, Robert is Australia’s most read and listened to lawyer.

Having acted for many international clients, Rob is keen to further international relations, investment and trade opportunities with Dubai through his role as a foundation member of this Chamber and a member of the Steering Committee.

Rob lives on the ocean at Mermaid Beach, is married to Caroline and enjoys the beach, fine dining, music, travel and reading.


ANDREW CRONIN

Andrew Cronin Andrew is one of two resident Australian Directors and General Manager of Bose Pty Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the giant premium audio supplier, Bose Corporation.

In addition to the corporation's Australasian and Pacific region activities, Andrew is responsible for Bose South Africa and the Middle East. The Bose Middle East office is located in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone. Andrew is a frequent visitor to Dubai and neighboring countries including Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

Andrew was a founding member of this Chamber and a participant in the April 2005 Mission to execute the MOU with Dubai. He was subsequently elected to the Chamber's Management executive in May 2005.

Bose Pty Limited and Bose Middle East have as their core business premium audio solutions including domestic (home) and commercial sectors encompassing large venues, hotel and hospitality, automotive and marine. Bose is also an industry leader with immerging products to support multimedia and information technology areas.

Prior to joining Bose, Andrew was the proprietor of a distribution business based in Gold Coast City, following a 15 year finance and administrative career with major private and public listed companies, mostly based in Sydney.

In addition to his business activities, for the past six years, Andrew has been Chairman of Marymount College advisory council\school board. Marymount is one of the largest private schools in Queensland.

He has lived in Gold Coast City for eleven years, is married to Susan and has three children. In his spare time he focuses on family, is an avid sports follower particularly football and enjoys surfing at the world famous Burleigh Heads and Kirra Point surf breaks.