Sunshine Coast shines in national awards

Council’s Economic Development Branch was recognised for its efforts in boosting local business and attracting investment for the 2024 Economic Development Awards for Excellence.

The winners will be announced at a national conference in Melbourne on 17 October 2024.

Council’s first ever Buy Local Day initiative earned a finalist spot in the category of "Economic Development Recovery & Resilience".

The Testing Tech in Paradise campaign was also named a finalist in the "Economic Development Through Partnerships & Collaboration" category.

Economic Development Recovery & Resilience: Buy Local Day

In response to the need for local business recovery, Council’s Local Business Support team delivered the Buy Local Day campaign.

This eight-week initiative, which culminated on June 22 with a region-wide Buy Local Day event, encouraged the community to support local businesses and generated significant engagement with over 10,000 businesses involved.

Buy Local Day builds on the various Buy Local campaigns that Council has delivered over the past few years which aim to increase positive community sentiment towards buying from a local business.

The campaign was delivered in partnership with the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding through the Locally-led Economic Recovery Program.

Uptown Hair Studios owner Rhonda Billett with staff getting behind Buy Local Day.

Economic Development Through Partnerships & Collaboration: Testing Tech in Paradise

Council’s Testing Tech in Paradise campaign, led by the Investment, Trade and International unit, aims to attract technology businesses to the Sunshine Coast and stimulate job growth.

To promote the program, the campaign produced a multi-channel marketing effort including a downloadable whitepaper, ideation sessions, webinars, tech tours and a tech summit that connected more than 100 international and local industry leaders.

Key partners in this initiative included Council’s Smart Cities team, Queensland Government, University of the Sunshine Coast and peak bodies, publishers and industry leaders.

More than 100 delegates gathered at Maroochydore CBD for the Testing Tech in Paradise event.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli said Council was extremely proud of the work undertaken by the Economic Development Branch.

“Being a finalist in these awards demonstrates to our community that Council is leading the way in economic development initiatives,” Mayor Natoli said.

“This recognition is a testament to the everyday work Council officers undertake for our community by steadfastly progressing toward the 2033 goals of the Regional Economic Development Strategy.

“It’s a wonderful achievement to be recognised as a finalist at this level and I wish the teams the very best of luck at the awards ceremony.”

About Economic Development Australia (EDA)

EDA is a nationally recognised network of economic development professionals, fostering prosperity in communities across Australia. Established in 2007, EDA has more than 1100 members across Australia.

2024 Award winners will be announced at a gala event during the National Economic Development Conference in Melbourne on October 17, 2024.

Past EDA Awards

• 2022 – Finalist – Economic Development Marketing & Promotion
• 2022 – Finalist – Economic Development Strategic Thinking
• 2018 – Won – Economic Development Single Event or Activity
• 2018 – Won – Economic Development Marketing & Promotion
• 2017 – Won – Economic Development Single Event or Activity
• 2016 – Won – Economic Development Agent of Change (Head of Investment, Trade and International)