The Sunshine Coast is seen as the ‘entrepreneurial capital’ of Australia, and it is the reputation for hard work and dedication that the Sunshine Coast business community will celebrate at the annual Small Business Month Breakfast in May.
The event on Thursday 4 May, presented by the Sunshine Coast Business Awards, Sunshine Coast Council and Regional Development Australia (RDA), Sunshine Coast, will also see the 2023 Sunshine Coast Business Awards launched.
“With more than 40,500 small businesses, contributing to more than 50 per cent of all employment for the region, it is no wonder that we are the envy of other regions,” Sunshine Coast Business Awards chair Jennifer Swaine said.
“We have such a rich diversity of business and industries which is reflected by the business winners and finalists in our Awards year after year.”
RDA Sunshine Coast chief executive officer Paul Fisher said the Queensland Small Business Month breakfast was the perfect forum to join fellow small business professionals in sharing stories of success, strategies for growth and to reflect on the past 12 months.
Mr Fisher will also interview a panel of past Sunshine Coast Business Awards winners, with an opportunity for question and answers. The panel will include:
• Darren McClenaghan – Resort Manager – RACV Noosa Resort
• Rachel Downie – Founder & Director – Stymie
• Thiago Perrone – Managing Director – Aussie Tiny Houses
“Year on year this event is a sell out so book early to avoid disappointment,” Mr Fisher said.
Mrs Swaine said the event was also an opportunity to gain inspiration to enter the 2023 Sunshine Coast Business Awards.
“Now in our 28th year, we are delighted that our first-ever naming rights sponsor LPE, have recommitted to continue their support for the awards.
“Our Awards program and Gala event is among the best in the country, and it just wouldn’t be possible to run without the committed support of our volunteer Awards committee and our sponsors so it is great to see LPE once again leading the way in their commitment to the Awards.
“LPE are Sunshine Coast locals and have a mission to create sustainable, future-forward communities. They are the strata community experts offering Embedded Networks, Centralised Hot Water and Renewable Electricity Solutions. We thank them for their steadfast and continued support of the Sunshine Coast business community.”
This year, immediately after the breakfast, the Sunshine Coast Business Awards will hold the first of its information sessions, designed to give entrants the chance to find out more about the application process and eligibility criteria, find out some tips about submitting a competitive application and have the opportunity to ask questions of the awards team including Head of Judging Bruce Williams.
Mrs Swaine said this year’s Awards categories had been realigned so businesses should check the website for details and enter the category that was right for them.
“There are 17 categories, with small and large for each, so there is one suitable for every type of business, regardless of size, and we want to encourage as many businesses from across the region to enter as possible.”
The 2023 Sunshine Coast Business Awards will open for nominations and entries after the Small Business Breakfast.
To find out more about the Awards or nominate a business visit sunshinecoastbusinessawards.com.au/
To buy tickets to the Small Business Month Breakfast and Sunshine Coast Business Awards Launch go to: trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=1038180&
