20 August 2024
Save the date: Thriving Through Change
Thriving Through Change Business Expo is back on Tuesday 29 October.

Sunshine Coast Council and local business leaders invite you to this FREE event to connect, learn and collaborate with other businesses and support networks.

Access Chambers of Commerce, Industry groups and government agencies in the exhibition; build capability with two engaging Masterclasses; expand your horizons with nationally renowned keynote speaker. 

Registrations will open soon, but for now save the date!
Advocacy priorities
Sunshine Coast Council was pleased to take part in the Queensland Government Community Cabinet on August 7 to discuss our region’s advocacy priorities.

As one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, an investment in our innovation ecosystem is an investment in future career choices for school and university leavers.

Our advocacy priorities are to secure measured and meaningful contributions to:

➡ deliver TURBINE, Queensland’s collaborative food and beverage manufacturing precinct;
➡ deliver the Sunshine Coast Innovation Network in partnership with UniSC;
➡ put the Sunshine Coast region on the same footing as the Gold Coast and five other regions, by supporting an advanced manufacturing hub through the Manufacturing Excellence Forum;
➡ deliver NEO – the national centre for immersive reality.

Watch industry leaders talking about the priorities for our region on our LinkedIn channel.
See election priorities
Talent program launches
The official launch of the Collaborative Regional Innovation Skills Pilot (CrISP), also known as Talent
Accelerate, was held last Wednesday at Manufacturing plant, Blackflag Brewery in Coolum Beach industrial
estate.

Talent Accelerate aims to empower local youth aged 15-25 by equipping them with practical skills and
an innovative mindset crucial for advancing the regional manufacturing sector.
Register interest here
Building confidence soars
 Sunshine Coast Council’s latest 2023-24 Development Indicator Report shows that the value of construction building approvals hit $2.3 billion, a record high for the region and up $100 million from 2022-23.

 A total of 1,600 new lots were created over the previous financial year and were made available to the market through Council and State Government approval processes - up 14 per cent compared to 2022-23.
Read more
Record numbers for Marathon
 The 2024 EVA Air Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival, held on Sunday, August 11, saw record-breaking participation with 12,000 runners.

The event delivers a strong economic return for our region with an estimated economic benefit this year worth more than $7 million, with half of the participants coming from outside our region. These opportunities strengthen our economy, now and in the future.
Read more
Have your say: The Curated Plate 2025
Silver Lining Strategy are conducting a strategic review of The Curated Plate on behalf of Sunshine Coast Council, to inform the direction of the region’s food and drink festival into the future.

To gain a better understanding of the impact and importance of the festival to the local industry and community, we invite you to take part in a brief survey – whether you have participated in the festival before, or not.
Have your say
 
Business women honoured
Congratulations to the best and brightest women in business who were celebrated at the 25th Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network annual awards night.

The event highlighted and celebrated these exceptional women who make a significant impact across numerous industries in the region.

Outstanding Business Woman of the Year: Jenny Lawson, Successful Grants

 Sustainability 2024 Business Woman of the Year: Jodi Salmond, Reef Check Australia

Micro Small Business Woman of the Year: Teneille Newton, Noosa Black Garlic

Corporate Business Woman of the Year: Rochelle Callard, NumberWorks’nWords Sippy Downs

Professional Business Woman of the Year: Katherine Nichols, Comlink Australia

Young Business Woman of the Year: Samantha Rillie, Real Life Skills Support Services
Read more
Register now
The Future of the Sunshine Coast
August 21
Join this event, hosted by Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce, to hear an update on the Sunshine Coast Council's latest Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) review and gain insights into current and upcoming projects spearheaded by Council's Economic Development team.
Register now
GovHack
September 6-8
GovHack, the largest Government open data hackathon in the Southern hemisphere is back on the Sunshine Coast on September 6-8.

Prepare to engage in a weekend filled with creativity, teamwork, and transformative ideas.

The event brings together top minds from Australia and New Zealand. 
Nominate now
Business Awards
November 9
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to stand out and celebrate your achievements with our supportive community.

There are 17 categories to cover the wide variety of businesses, and within each category there will be a winner for large and small businesses.

If you haven’t started your entry yet, it’s not too late to work on your nomination.
Entries close August 26. Finalists announced September 19
IRONMAN 70.3 - Business Benefits
Get ready to make the most of the increase in local resident and visitor spend across the IRONMAN 70.3 next month on September 6-7.

What will make those participants and spectators stay in the area?  What will make them walk into your business?

We have come up with some tips and information to help your business benefit from this major event.
Tips to help your business
September 7 & 8
IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast | Mooloolaba

September 21-29
Pacific Club Football Championships | Maroochydore

September 27-29
AOCRA Trans-Tasman Gubbi Gubbi Championships | Mooloolaba

October 2-6
Australian Rugby Shield | Caloundra

October 11 & 12
AFL Qld Schools Cup Final | Maroochydore

October 12 & 13
All Schools Triathlon and Aquathlon | Lake Kawana

October 19
Blackall 100 | Mapleton
Big Pineapple Festival | Woombye

October 26 & 27
Sunshine Coast MultiSport Festival | Landsborough