The Sunshine Coast’s business community gathered in style at the 2024 Sunshine Coast Business Awards Gala last night to celebrate the region’s most outstanding businesses, with Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) crowned as Business of the Year. AAT also took out the awards for Export and Building and Construction (large business). They design, build, and operate major public aquariums worldwide and are recognised as a leader in the public aquarium development industry with projects completed in UAE, Asia, Europe, America, New Zealand and Australia.
The night was filled with entertainment and excitement with around 850 attendees recognising the 130 finalists from 239 entries as 38 trophies were awarded.
Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine shared the significance of this year’s event, noting the support of the awards’ nine month program is made possible by sponsors, judges, volunteers and the business community.
“Last night was a tremendous success and a fantastic chance for the Sunshine Coast to recognise and reflect on our diverse and growing business community. Many businesses have had a tough year competing with cost of living pressures and other external factors so the awards provide an important platform to celebrate excellence across multiple sectors,” said Swaine.
“Each year the awards get bigger and better and we look forward to next year which will mark 30 years of the program which runs over nine months and includes multiple networking opportunities for businesses,” she added.
Both Sunshine Coast and Noosa Mayors were on-hand to congratulate the winners with Emcee Shane Jacobson and entertainers 7 Sopranos and Amplify keeping up the energy in the room as they collaborated in performing Queen’s global hit Bohemian Rhapsody. This year’s gala event had an increased focus on locally grown and produced food and beverage with the awards’ first ever Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Bar and a menu featuring Mooloolaba prawns, Sunshine Coast saltbush, Peachester limes and more.
This year, four businesses were inducted into the Hall of Fame, recognised for winning their categories over three consecutive years. The new inductees – White’s IGA, Narrows Escape, Aussie Tiny Houses and Stymie were recognised on stage.
“The Sunshine Coast Business Awards celebrates our thriving business community, showcasing local talent and recognising businesses whose efforts help shape our region,” said Swaine.
“Our finalists, winners and Hall of Fame inductees are a testament to the innovation, resilience, and success that defines our local economy” Swaine concluded.
The 2024 Sunshine Coast Business Award Winners are:
Accommodation, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Airport
Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters (large)
Glen Eden Beach Resort (small)
Advanced Technology, sponsored by Sumup
GreaseBoss (large)
Inform Ag (small)
Building and Construction, sponsored by Walker Corp
Advanced Aquarium Technologies (large)
Nyblad Constructions (small)
Business Services, sponsored by Coraggio
Digital Nomads HQ (large)
Noosa4Sale (small)
Clean Technology, sponsored by Noosa Council
CDC Solar and Electrical (large)
Mineral Fox (small)
Creative Industries, sponsored by AV Partners
Your Brand Crew
Education and Training, sponsored by Pacific Ford
Neurodivergent Empowered (large)
The Eighth Mile Consulting (small)
Experiences, sponsored by Opals Down Under
Amaze World (large)
Saltwater Eco Tours (small)
Food and Agribusiness, sponsored by Turbine
Maleny Dairies (large)
Green Valley Fingerlimes (small)
Health and Wellness, sponsored by SunCentral
Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group (large)
Activate Body – Physio, Health and Fitness (small)
Hospitality, sponsored by Portable Creations
Alex Surf Club (large)
Sunny Rays Catering (small)
Manufacturing, sponsored by Sunquest Signs
The Mattress Company (large)
First Light Fabrication (small)
Professional Services, sponsored by Travis Shultz & Partners
Animal Emergency Service Tanawha (small)
InDepth Accounting (large)
Retail, sponsored by JudoBank
En Mina Leather (small)
Kawana Flooring (large)
Social Impact, sponsored by ADFX
ECOllaboration (small)
SunnyKids (large)
Trades and Services, sponsored by Catton & Tondelstrand Family Lawyers
Laguna Pest Control (small)
MOXY Services (large)
Export, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council
Advanced Aquarium Technologies
Sunshine Coast Business of the Year, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council
Advanced Aquarium Technologies
Hall of Fame, sponsored by Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast
White’s IGA
Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat
Aussie Tiny Houses
Stymie
