Chamber aims to open up

The Noosa Chamber of Commerce is hoping for a big 2015 but, to make it happen, it will need the support of local business and sponsorship.
Noosa Chamber of Commerce president Sarah Fisher said the group received no government funding and would need sponsorship to grow and provide seminars and community projects throughout the year.
“At grassroots levels, chambers largely survive from the help of local businesses, sponsorship and volunteers,” she said.
“The Noosa chamber is hoping to obtain some sponsorship dollar in 2015 in order to employ a full-time secretary.”
Sarah said the chamber plans to grow membership this year through the CCIQ’s Chamber Advantage products as well as work closely with Noosa Council on the Noosa Plan, which will focus on parking, signage and other aspects of Noosa.
The Noosa chamber also has plans to branch into local schools and work with students to help find employment on the coast.
“Noosa chamber will be looking at ways to work with our local schools to encourage our youngsters to stay and work on the coast,” she said.
“We will also work to encourage local businesses to put on apprentices and provide leaning experiences for students.”
A list of educational events are planned for the coming year, with a strong focus on Small Business Week in September.
“The focus will once again be on being town proud and buying locally,” she said.
“Noosa survives on local investment with tourists travelling to the popular holiday destination and hopefully spending up big.
“The Buy Locally Saturday campaign is vitally important to the region and will once again be a focal point.”
Sarah said her best advice to local businesses for 2015 is to “promote tourism heavily” both in Queensland, interstate and internationally.
“Noosa has an advantage over other areas on the Sunshine Coast with its natural beauty, climate and everything on offer, but it cannot sit back on its laurels and expect people to holiday here.
“Noosa must remain the number one hot spot on the tourism calendar and that means 100 per cent support from all businesses.”
Members of Noosa Chamber of Commerce hope to make the organisation bigger and better in 2015 and hope a diverse range of businesses in the area will join and offer their knowledge and expertise to the group to help grow local business.