FOR THE first time in 25 years, the NAB AFL Draft will be held outside Victoria, with the Gold Coast to host the event this November.

As first reported on afl.com.au in July last year, the southeast Queensland town will hold the draft on Thursday, November 18, in an evening event for the second consecutive year.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said the decision to move the draft for the first time had required careful consideration.

However, a presentation led by Gold Coast Tourism had convinced the league that the location and timing this year was the best place to stage both events.

"The 2010 NAB Draft is only four months out from the biggest step forward in AFL in Queensland since the Brisbane Lions won three consecutive premierships, with the 2011 entry of the Gold Coast football club and an AFL game in the region every round of the 2011 premiership season," Demetriou said.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said it was a great coup for the Gold Coast and Queensland.

"The decision by the AFL to stage key events like the draft on the Gold Coast demonstrates the attractiveness and ability of the region to secure and host successful major events," she said.

"It's also fitting that as we count down to the entry of our second AFL team, Gold Coast Football Club, and the completion of a great new stadium for the community at Carrara the draft is held on the coast.

"Our commitment to the Carrara Stadium redevelopment and recent upgrades to the Gabba proves we're keen to attract more great sporting teams and events to South East Queensland."

Gold Coast's team has nine first-round selections in the draft - including the top three picks - as it looks to enter the AFL competition in 2011.

AFL game development manager Dave Matthews previously said it made sense to hold the draft both on the Gold Coast and a week earlier than normal.

"It makes sense [to hold the NAB AFL Draft earlier], because you couldn't really contemplate a situation where you're going to all parts of Australia and putting together 48 blokes in December 2010 and saying: 'Good luck for 2011'."

The draft will coincide with the three-day 2010 AFL industry conference, which will also be held on the Gold Coast.

Major draft sponsor NAB will be on board again and is also looking forward to the draft being held in the northern state.

"This is an exciting time for Australian football and as proud, long-standing partners of the NAB AFL Draft we are looking forward to the historic move to the Gold Coast this year", NAB group CEO Cameron Clyne said.

The industry conference will set the stage for the next decade of development for the AFL, the clubs, players, partners and broadcasters.

More than 500 people involved in the game from around the country are expected to converge on the Gold Coast for the two events.