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Celebrating Small Business Month
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May is Queensland Small Business Month - a time dedicated to recognising and celebrating the contributions of small business to our local economy and communities.
The theme this year is "Recharge, Renew and Rebuild," with a packed program of events and activities designed to support and inspire business owners.
Events and activities throughout May will be designed to provide assistance and resources for local businesses to grow and succeed including the Small Business Month Breakfast to launch the 2025 Sunshine Coast Small Business Awards.
See all the events and workshops happening in May under the Events section below.
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Entrepreneur festival back with a splash
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Sunshine Coast’s flagship entrepreneur festival, FWD>>>FEST 25, is back from May 7–9, bringing together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors, policymakers, creatives and corporates.
Held across three days at Bokarina’s Venue 114, Maroochydore’s Altitude 9 and Mooloolaba’s Pier 33, the festival has something to offer for everyone, from first-time founders to seasoned business owners.
This year’s theme, ‘Riding the Wave,’ comes to life with keynote speaker Mark Visser who is a world-renowned big wave surfer, author and high-performance mindset coach to elite athletes and business leaders.
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Don't miss Sunshine Coast's first ever Music Awards!
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The Sunshine Coast’s music community is gearing up for its biggest night of nights with tickets now on sale for the inaugural Sunshine Coast Music Awards
There has been an overwhelming response, with the Awards receiving over 180 nominations!
The Awards will be held at Birtinya live music venue The Station on June 1.
Don’t miss this rare networking opportunity - where you will be rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of the music industry on the Sunshine Coast and beyond.
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Sunshine Coast Innovators, is your groundbreaking idea ready to make a real-world difference?
EOIs are now open for Advanced Queensland's Ignite grants program.
The program empowers innovators to tackle critical challenges and build a better future for Queenslanders.
Ignite grants fuel the development and commercialisation of solutions in key areas including tourism, managing waste, protecting the Great Barrier Reef and conserving private land.
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Caloundra now has two brand-new smart city kiosks in the heart of the CBD.
The interactive kiosks are designed to be a dynamic community information hub, making it easier for locals and visitors to explore all that Caloundra has to offer.
By attracting visitors at key times, the kiosks drive foot traffic throughout the CBD, assisting the business community.
The content on the kiosks will evolve over time, keeping information fresh and relevant.
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Small Business Month Breakfast
May 1
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The annual Queensland Small Business Month 2025 breakfast is the perfect forum to join your fellow small business professionals in sharing stories of success, strategies for growth and to reflect on the past 12 months.
Hear from Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb as the guest speaker and join 300 other local business leaders for networking, insights and celebration as past Sunshine Coast Business Awards winners share their business journey.
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Keynote Breakfast with Dave Clare
May 7
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Join for the Day 1 Breakfast Keynote where Dave Clare will challenge the way we think about leadership, purpose, and business success.
This isn’t your average keynote — it’s the wake-up call every entrepreneur, founder, and changemaker needs.
Wednesday 7 May | 7.30AM
Coffee, connection & clarity to kickstart your festival.
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Building Business Excellence Masterclass
May 8
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Are you losing ground to competitors who are quicker to digitally transform?
Join Professor Ashish Sinha from The University of Queensland (UQ) for a FREE Building Business Excellence Masterclass on competing in the age of digital disruption.
Visiting the Sunshine Coast as part of the 2025 UQ Regional Roadshow, this interactive session will explore the true potential of digital transformation and help you manage the risks while capitalising on digital opportunities.
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Doing Business with Council Workshop
May 13
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Are you a business looking to build strong relationships with government and enhance your chances of becoming a valued supplier?
Council is providing Sunshine Coast businesses with a valuable opportunity to learn what it takes to become a regular supplier to government.
The Doing Business with Council workshop on 13 May is being delivered to build capability in businesses to become a competitive supplier.
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Buy Local Day launch
May 14
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Businesses are being encouraged to make the most of the upcoming Buy Local Day campaign which kicks off on Wednesday 14 May.
Leading up to Buy Local Day on Saturday 28 June, the Sunshine Coast community will be inspired to throw their support and spend behind local independent businesses.
This campaign allows businesses to make meaningful engagement with new and current customers. Keep an eye out for more details via Council and your Chambers of Commerce.
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What is my bottom line telling me?
May 23
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Are you struggling to get a handle on your business financial data?
Join the Queensland Government Business Concierge team for a FREE financial literacy workshop to help small business owners to get a handle on their business data.
This half-day workshop will provide general information and guidance on financial literacy, as well as the opportunity for small business owners to chat one on one to financial counsellors, business wellness coaches and mentors.
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Young and Thriving Youth Forum
May 28
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What do you like about the Sunshine Coast? What needs to change?
Share what is important to you and your ideas to make the Sunshine Coast a better place to live!
We’re calling on young people aged 12-24, living on the Sunshine Coast, to help us develop a Youth Action Plan for the next five years.
Join the Young and Thriving Youth Forum happening on 28 May
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Noosa Power and Energy Conference 2025
June 24-25
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The Cleantech Network is hosting the Noosa Power and Energy Conference 2025 to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators and experts to explore the critical role of Regional Australia in driving the national energy transition.
The event will feature thought-provoking sessions highlighting the most pressing topics in Australia's energy transition.
This is a great opportunity for local Sunshine Coast businesses to exhibit or sponsor the event.
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May 7-10
May 9
May 12-25
May 23
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The Big Pineapple Festival is set to celebrate its 10-year anniversary with a blockbuster event on Saturday, November 1.
Marking a decade of championing homegrown music talent, the festival will return to the iconic Pineapple Fields in Woombye with its signature all Aussie lineup (with a few exceptions).
This milestone comes on the heels of the Big Pineapple Festival being named Best Music Festival at the 2025 Queensland Music Awards – its fourth time receiving the honour, following a triumphant 2024 comeback after a three-year hiatus.
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