If people aren’t living on the Sunshine Coast of Australia already they might very well be talking about moving there at some stage in their lives. Such is the pull of this iconic destination that, like the nearby Gold Coast, it is one of the richest regions for those seeking a seachange.
And it’s not me that is saying it. Figures on the number of people moving to the Sunshine Coast each year is a clear indicator that this destination has something that many people aspire to.
Thankfully, the appeal of the destination in this way is of great value to the business events industry because it helps the region to develop in terms of facilities, accommodation and experiences.
And, as the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau’s conference and incentive manager Anne-Marie Coulton explains, tourism operators are working together to ensure the longevity of the destination and all it stands for is retained, even as the population continues to increase.
“There are fundamental environmental considerations and the ever-present need to be aware of the long term impact newcomers have on what the Sunshine Coast is famous for,” she says.
“We want to protect our assets and the unspoilt, laid back, sophisticated hippy-chic persona the region has whilst still delivering world class business event facilities and support services.
“Tourism leaders across the region are embracing a whole of destination management approach to tourism and business events, working collaboratively to maintain a healthy balance and ensure what everyone loves about the Sunshine Coast is protected for the future.”
Ms Coulton says part of the changes most noticeable are the many new roads which are making the region easier to access, several new resorts and venues with meeting space which have opened in the past two years, new conference support services suppliers, and the enormous increase in flights into the Sunshine Coast.
“Three years ago we averaged 5000 seats a week. We now enjoy an average of 13,000 seats each week on direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
“Aside from beautiful beaches, rainforests and a very competitive food scene the Sunshine Coast has a diverse range of experiences to offer – with more than 60 activities suited to groups, ranging from horse riding on the beach, cooking schools in Thai-inspired retreats, all manner of water sports, yachting regattas, and even a circus school where delegates can learn acrobatic techniques in a matter of just a few hours.”
“What’s more, the Sunshine Coast is a very safe destination, demonstrated by its ability to host high profile conventions including CHOGM and in the future the 2007 APEC Finance Ministers Meeting. Organisers can certainly feel very comfortable about the personal safety of their delegates.”
Moving forward
With its superb new branding created and launched in 2006 (see page 99), and the recent release of their new convention and incentive planner, the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau has big plans for 2007 and beyond.
A great range of new products, venue upgrades and fantastic experiences (outlined over the following pages), gives the Sunshine Coast a lot to sing about, and they will certainly be doing so throughout 2007. As Ms Coulton explains, the immediate aim is to further develop the region’s conference and incentive markets domestically and internationally.
Business from Sydney and Melbourne is hot right now, and New Zealand is a market that has used and looks set to continue to use the Sunshine Coast for more incentive-style events.
“We are planning several familiarisations over the coming months, bringing PCOs, corporate and association decision-makers into the region in small numbers (a maximum of 10 at a time), and showcasing the very best of what we have to offer. A first-hand experience [of our destination] can’t be beaten.
“Recently the SCCB hosted another great famil for New Zealand PCOs who were treated to the very best of the Sunshine Coast. Aside from visiting the markets, some of our favourite restaurants and spas, the group also enjoyed participating in some high-flying trapeze action with the Circ Espace circus school.
“As well as the opening of new facilities, like the Noosa Springs Resort Day Spa, refurbishments of existing facilities, like the Novotel Twin Waters Resort, and many more, we have the added benefit of being home to some major events, such as the Australian PGA [golf] and the Noosa and Mooloolaba triathlons.
“The year ahead is looking very positive indeed.”
Noosa Springs Resort
Just three kilometres from Hastings Street Noosa Springs is now more than just a golf resort, offering stylish apartment accommodation, a superb day spa and fitness centre, and flexible meeting facilities. The hype surrounding the opening of the spa and fitness centre has much to do with the European-influenced pampering and therapeutic treatments and the most comprehensive fitness facilities the region has seen. The facility is linked to the Noosa Springs Clubhouse and continues the stylish Mediterranean architectural theme that characterises the whole of Noosa Springs. The treatment suites have outdoor courtyards and water features with separate and private access for both males and female patrons. Additionally there are nine massage rooms, steam rooms, infrared saunas, blitz showers, relaxation rooms and a fully equipped beauty salon. If this wasn’t enough there is also the unique hydro massage pool (whose benefits have to be experienced to be believed) and a flotation pool all set in a most harmonious and relaxing setting. Noosa Springs Resort also offers a variety of meeting rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 200 delegates theatre stye or 300 for cocktails. Smaller rooms act as break-out facilities, and there is a large number of areas throughout the resort that can be utilised for special events. As well as its championship golf course Noosa Springs Resort has four floodlit tennis courts. For further information phone (07) 5440 3333, email resort@noosasprings.com.au or visit www.noosasprings.com.au.
 Hyatt Regency Coolum
The Hyatt Regency Coolum is one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-known resorts, having served the meetings and events industry for many years so successfully. It has been and continues to be one of the region’s most popular venues for events. Located just 10 minutes from the airport the property has 324 accommodation rooms in a range of different configurations, with a total capacity for 900 guests at one time. It has 19 meeting rooms, the largest of which can comfortably seat up to 1000 delegates. The beauty of this resort, which is set on 140 hectares of resort grounds, is that it is so private. The dedicated conference venue blends into the entire resort and is centrally located to the majority of accommodation rooms. Once at the property guests really do have little reason to leave during their stay. They can choose between a range of leisure pursuits, be pampered in the spa, shop, play golf or simply chill out and relax. The property is home to the Australian PGA Championship thanks to its quality golf course and large range of accommodation. Plans are currently underway for updating its conference facilities and the Sun Spa. For details telephone (07) 5446 1234, email coolum@hyatt.com.au or visit www.coolum.regency.hyatt.com.
Australis Noosa Lakes
Australis Noosa Lakes Convention and Exhibition Centre sits on the shores of Lake Doonella and the Noosa River, and is just a few minutes by car north of the Noosa CBD. The property has 188 accommodation rooms which are in studio, one and two bedroom townhouse style. The property offers five meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat up to 320 delegates theatre-style. The dedicated convention facility has natural light, views of the river, and the latest in electronic conferencing technology. As well as this business centre the property has three lagoon-style swimming pools and pool-side barbecues, which can be utilised by groups. For details telephone (07) 5447 1400, email functions.noosa@australishotels.com or visit www.australishotels.com.
Caloundra Cultural Centre
The Caloundra Cultural Centre offers one of the largest meetings facilities on the coast, with meetings capacity for up to 900 delegates. It has a total of six meeting rooms including a fully equipped theatrical centre. Located in the heart of Caloundra the Caloundra Cultural Centre offers full catering for events and technical facilities, including state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment. A verandah and courtyard is well suited to small or large-scale functions, or as a break-out area for morning and afternoon tea breaks. For details telephone (07) 5491 4240, email culturalcentre@caloundra.qld.gov.au or visit www.caloundracentre.com.au.
Novotel Twin Waters Resort
The Novotel Twin Waters Resort has been a stalwart of the region’s tourism industry, and is set to be even more so when its $15 million refurbishment program is completed towards the end of this year. The refurbishment program encompasses all existing 360 rooms and suites, dining areas, and meetings facilities. As well as its 13 meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat 1000 delegates, Novotel Twin Waters Resort also has a range of outdoor event spaces and a professional team who are recognised for their exceptional theming and event delivery. Befitting its waterside position the property offers a wide range of recreational activities including catamaran sailing, windsurfing and kayaking (all free to guests). It also offers a unique team-building option – Cirque Espace (Circus School), which is a great way for conference delegates to step outside their comfort zone. For details telephone (07) 5448 8000, email conference@twinwaters.com.au or visit www.twinwatersresort.com.au.
Noosa Blue Resort
One of the continuing strong performers in the Sunshine Coast for boutique business events is Noosa Blue Resort, overlooking the Noosa CBD, and minutes from Hastings Street and Noosa’s main beach. The property has 65 stylish one bedroom spa suites and penthouses. All suites feature a balcony and individual spa while the penthouse suites offer spectacular views overlooking Noosa from private roof terraces, each with a barbecue, entertaining area and heated spa. The property has a total of three meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat just over 200 delegates. It is well suited to more boutique-style meetings. As well as its reputation for providing excellent service Noosa Blue Resort is also recognised for its high quality cuisine. For details telephone (07) 5447 5699, email conference@noosablue.com.au or visit www.noosablue.com.au for further details.
Ramada Pelican Waters
The Ramada Pelican Waters is one of the Sunshine Coast’s newest property, and is being positioned as a four-and-a-half star venue well suited to the meetings, conference and event market. The property has 116 accommodation rooms made up of one, two and three bedroom suites and apartments. It also has seven well-appointed meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat up to 270 delegates theatre-style, and offers a wide range of areas for outside dining and event experiences, including a spectacular lawn that is already providing to be popular with groups. For those who don’t want to play a round on the 18-hole Greg Norman designed golf course the Vida Health & Spa is sure to entice delegates. For details telephone (07) 5437 4666, email events@ramadapelicanwaters.com.au or visit www.ramadapelicanwaters.com.au.
Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa
The Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa is one of the oldest properties in the region, however, has undergone extensive refurbishment in recent times, added its own AQUA Day Spa, and changed some of its accommodation rooms to more stylish spa suites. There are a total of eight meeting rooms, the largest of which can comfortably seat 350 delegates. It also offers a wonderful undercover outdoor area overlooking the centrally located pool that is well suited to events in the open air. The Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa is centrally located in Noosa, just a walk across the road to the beach, restaurants and Noosa attractions. Indeed, its location is certainly one reason why it has maintained its popularity. For details telephone (07) 5449 4888, email noosa.reservations@sheraton.com or visit www.sheraton.com/noosa.
Kingfisher Bay Resort
If you are seeking a venue a little out of the ordinary and away from the hustle and bustle of the Sunshine Coast proper, it is hard to go past Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. This venue – along with the destination – must be seen to be believed. The four-star resort has 152 hotel rooms overlooking lakes and bushland and 110 two and three bedroom self contained villas with bush and sea views. It caters wonderfully well for the meetings market, with a main ballroom capable of seating up to 300 delegates theatre-style, which is also divisible by three. A number of smaller break-out rooms round out its conference offerings. For those who love the great outdoors Kingfisher Bay Resort is tailor-made. There is an abundance of things to see and do in the great outdoors - a great destination for active delegates but equally as good for those who simply want to unwind. For further details telephone (07) 3032 2805, email marketing@kingfisher.com or visit www.kingfisher.com.
• Judy Holland is the new director of sales and marketing at Novotel Twin Waters and Deborah McDiarmid is the new director of sales and marketing at Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa. Deborah has made the sea change to Noosa from Sydney.
• Rachael Spencer (ex Central Hotel Group) is now the director of sales and marketing at the stunning new Ramada Pelican Waters Resort which sits alongside the championship Greg Norman designed golf course.
• The Caloundra Cultural Centre (also known as the Sunshine Coast Events Centre) has a new director of sales and marketing - Karen McMichael, who has returned to the Sunshine Coast after several years in the UK.
• Peter Currey, sales and marketing manager of Noosa Springs Golf Resort and Spa is delighted to announce the appointment of Emma Ciavarella as sales and marketing executive. Emma has been appointed to the newly created position to concentrate on the growing conference market.
Australia Zoo
The home of the late great Steve Irwin, Australia Zoo is a must see for visitors to the Sunshine Coast. In true Steve Irwin style, activities at the zoo are described as the following: “We pack in stacks of wildlife action every day and move at a great rate of knots – there are always plenty of exciting wildlife shows to see, friendly zoo keepers to chat with, and heaps of drop-dead gorgeous animals that can’t wait to get up close and personal with YOU!” Australia Zoo is located at Beerwah, which is pretty close to everything on the Sunshine Coast. Telephone (07) 5436 2000 or visit www.crocodilehunter.com for further details.
Big Kart Track
For those seeking to shake away the cobwebs in-between conference sessions then it’s hard to go past the thrill of kart racing. The Big Kart Track is located at Landsborough, just a short drive from the majority of accommodation venues on the Sunshine Coast. The Big Kart Track is said to be the largest and fastest go-kart track in Australia. Tailor-made races can be created for groups. For details visit www.bigkart.com.au.
Noosa Oceanrider
Another great adrenalin-charged activity can be found taking a spin with Noosa Oceanrider, a speedboat with attitude. Oceanrider is said to help overworked delegates blow away the conference cobwebs and really let their hair down. Adrenalin-charged wave jumping action and high speed manoeuvres will apparently have groups laughing and screaming with delight. And if it doesn’t have them laughing then perhaps they’ll be screaming! Visit www.oceanrider.biz for further details.
Outdoor Latitude
Let Outdoor Latitude arrange your group’s team-building activity while your holding your meeting or conference on the Sunshine Coast. The company can arrange experiences including abseiling, rafting and rock climbing. Packages include refreshments and transfers, all safety gear, excellent instruction and friendly, experienced outdoor leaders. Activities are designed to push the boundaries of delegates, and are sure to be a memorable break from the conference room. For details telephone (07) 5432 2858, email info@outdoorlatitude.com.au or visit www.outdoorlatitude.com.au.
Human Rhythms
The popular drumming and team building company Human Rhythms has now opened an office on the Sunshine Coast to cater to the increasing number of business events held across the region. Human Rhythms is one of the most popular drumming experiences going around, doing business here and internationally for groups from a handful of keen participants to one or two thousand. In recent times they have conducted large-scale team-building experiences in Asia, with the local people there thoroughly enthralled with the high-energy and interactive nature of the experience. Participants are more often than not surprised and exhilarated at the way in which Human Rhythms can create such fun and excitement with the aid of drums and not much else. Drumming really has taken off as a team-building exercise and Human Rhythms is clearly one of the best companies going around. And now, with their Sunshine Coast office fully operational, their ability to delight and entertain even more conference and meeting groups with their highly participatory experience is assured. Visit www.humanrhythms.com.au for further details.
A new organisation specialising in speakers who call the Sunshine Coast home has been established. Some big names available for conferences include Alan Pease, Lisa Curry-Kenny, marketing man Barry Bull, weight loss guru Annette Sym, radio personality and controversial nutritionist, Cyndi O’Meara, motivational business mum Rachael Bermingham, New Zealand cricketing great Danny Morrison, and many more.
And of course being locals, conference organisers don’t have the extra burden of flights and accommodation to get them to the Sunshine Coast!
Spokesperson Jeannette Kay said the new entity is a brilliant way to raise the profile of the coast as a leading conference and event host in addition to promoting the coast’s own VIPs, speakers and entertainers under the one central booking management of Sunshine Coast Speakers.
“Instead of flying in interstate guest speakers, overseas and interstate conference coordinators can now book an MC, guest speaker and entertainment for their event and save thousands in travel and accommodation expenses as each person or company listed resides locally,” she said.
“Most people aren’t even aware of the calibre of knowledge we have right here on our own doorstep. Many of these speakers spend weeks, sometimes months interstate and overseas speaking at hundreds of events so they are all looking forward to securing more speaking work closer to home.”
You can book a local speaker, MC or entertainer via the website at www.SunshineCoastSpeakers.com or by calling 0404 775 473.
Tourism Sunshine Coast (TSC) and Tourism Queensland (TQ) last year launched a new brand for the Sunshine Coast. More than 12 months in the making, the brand has been developed in partnership with a Brand Working Group in the region and with the creative expertise of internationally recognised agency, cummins&partners.
Heritage status
The Glass House Mountains have become the third site in Queensland to achieve national heritage status. The listing was announced recently by Australian Prime Minister, John Howard at a ceremony in late 2006.
Whale watching
Whale Planet is operating cruises on board the Volante IV for whale watching between July and November. The number of migrating whales is growing annually by more than 10 per cent and humpback whales now regularly visit the coastal waters off the Sunshine Coast. Cruises depart 10:30am and return at 3:30pm. Contact Whale Planet for further details on (07) 5444 7477.
Lake Weyba’s new pavilion
The Pavilion at Lake Weyba is a spacious two bedroom building with open plan living areas and an all weather verandah overlooking the stunning landscaped gardens and lilly pond. Its five star features in all rooms - stone clad fireplace, plasma TV and home theatre - make for a luxurious and comfortable experience. The venue sleeps four and can be used for groups to host dinners or conferences. Visit www.lakeweybacottages.com for details.
Eco-friendly Eumarella
A select number of boutique traditional cottages and contemporary pavilions at Eumarella Shores on Lake Weyba, in the Noosa hinterland have won praise from the Courier-Mail’s QWeekend Escapes feature. New architecturally designed contemporary pavilions have recently been completed enhancing the accommodation choices at Eumarella Shores, and complementing the renovated and refurbished original cottages. Visit www.eumarellashores.com.au for further details.
The Sanctuary Venues
Former Sunshine Coast tourism icon, The Forest Glen Deer Sanctuary is set to become the regions newest function, conference and meeting venue. Re-branded as The Sanctuary Venue the location is gearing up to service the growth within the business events segment in the region. For further information telephone (07) 5445 1644.
Sunshine Coast Castle
The former Bli Bli Castle has just reopened and been renamed Sunshine Coast Castle. The Castle has medieval features such as a Great Hall and dungeon with numerous displays of medieval armoury. The tower which stands 24 metres on top of the castle offers stunning 360 degree views of the h interland, across the cane fields to the ocean. Visit www.bliblicastle.com.
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