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According to the CEO of Tourism Sunshine Coast, John Fitzgerald, Tourism Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau furthered its destination management approach for the region in 2007 and will maintain this focus going forward in 2008.
The development of the Regional Tourism Investment and Infrastructure Plan and Product Development Plan were due for completion in December 2007.
“These will underpin the focus of tourism and business events development in the region going forward,” he said.
“It will include an emphasis on business events infrastructure and product for the region in the years to come.”
To further strengthen Tourism Sunshine Coast’s intentions, a destination management officer joined the organisation in January, designed to engage across all levels of government and the private sector to take investment and infrastructure aspirations for the region forward.
“A Skills Formation Strategy (SFS) is also being implemented over two years,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“The SFS will be driven by industry to identify and address key workforce issues including professional development of our industry.
“To ensure that we are measuring and managing the sustainability of our region, a Sustainability Benchmarking Model (SBM) is currently being developed by TSC-SCCB. The SBM will be taken forward in partnership with the industry and local government to ensure we are monitoring and measuring the triple bottom line impacts of our industry.”
With the changes, reports and studies, and new staff appointments within the Tourism Sunshine Coast the clear message is that those working in the tourism industry in the destination are very firmly entrenched in developing the business events segment further.
Local events are certainly helping to give the destination a boost both in terms of visitor numbers and national profile.
The Australian PGA played at Hyatt Coolum is now a firm favourite on the national golfing calendar, while the Noosa and Mooloolaba Triathlons, and the Noosa Food and Jazz festival are not only attracting good visitor/participant numbers but helping to create a buzz within the destination.
New Zealand continues to be a key market for the Sunshine Coast while the bureau is looking further afield for new business, in 2007 hosting an educational for eight meeting planners from the United Kingdom in conjunction with Etihad Airways and Tourism Australia.
The 2007 – 2008 Sunshine Coast Meeting and Incentive Navigator is said to be the definitive guide to sourcing business event products on the Sunshine Coast. Contact the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau for a copy on email navigator@tsc.com.au, telephone (07) 5458 8888 or visit www.sccb.net.au to download your copy.
 Air access to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has improved out of sight in recent years. There are now on average 20,000 seats each week into the destination on direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide using JetStar, Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways.
In resort news, Surfair Resort Marcoola is now part of the US based Wyndham Hotel Group while major refurbishments are underway at Novotel Twin Waters Resort (see further details on page 150).
Another new player to the resort market is Outrigger Hotels & Resort which has secured a significant jewel in Noosa’s five-star resort crown, following the announcement it had reached an agreement in principle to manage the $300+ million Viridian Resort & Spa.
Currently under construction and due to open in 2009, the 192-unit Viridian Resort & Spa is located on Noosa Hill, bordered by the Noosa National Park and overlooking the internationally-acclaimed Laguna Bay and Hastings Street precinct. When completed, the Viridian Resort & Spa will feature 11 buildings centred around the resort’s premier leisure facilities, including two swimming pools, a theatrette, poolside dining, bar, restaurant, gym/sauna, day spa and the largest conference facilities in the region.
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Joint venture developer, Bob Borger of Leighton Properties said: “The Viridian Resort & Spa is a unique project set in a special part of the world. We have entrusted Outrigger Hotels & Resorts to share the beauty and quality of our resort and of Noosa worldwide.”
Outrigger’s vice president Oceania, Cliff Olson, said following the announcement that Outrigger has “always wanted to manage a five-star property in Noosa but properties of Viridian’s calibre are very few and far between. Noosa continues to be a preferred holiday playground and we aim to build on Noosa’s leading status through our extensive international sales and marketing networks,” he added.
Away from the big city lights, Palmyra Estate, about 20 minutes from Noosa, offers a great setting for off-site dinners for up to 500 delegates. The private estate is set over several acres of manicured gardens and rolling green lawns.
For something special the “Studio” at “The Farm” is another exciting new product to consider when looking for an interesting off-site option, product launch or out-of–the–box meeting venue on the Sunshine Coast. Owned by art collector Philip Harding who developed and owns Noosa Blue Resort, the Pavilion is situated atop a hill on a magnificent 90 acre property next to Mt Cooroy, some 20 minutes inland from Noosa Heads. Seating 120 (or 200 stand up) with large decks for pre-dinners surrounding the main building, the Pavilion is ultra-modern in design and affords breathtaking 360 degree views across the ranges and rolling green valleys of the Sunshine Coast hinterland and back to Noosa and the ocean.
The Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa is one of the oldest properties in the region but certainly not the most dated, undergoing an extensive refurbishment program, adding its own AQUA Day Spa, and changing 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. For details telephone (07) 5449 4888, email noosa.reservations@sheraton.com or visit www.sheraton.com/noosa. /
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. In late 2007 the property was named Best Australian Golf Resort at the Luxury Travel & Style Magazine 2007 Gold List Awards. This accolade is an addition to Hyatt Regency Coolum’s other recent award successes including being named Australasia’s Leading Golf Resort at the World Travel Awards, and the 2006 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship, (held at Hyatt Regency Coolum), was the winner of the Major Festivals and Events category at the Queensland Tourism Awards. It has 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. For details telephone (07) 5446 1234, email coolum@hyatt.com.au or visit www.coolum.regency.hyatt.com
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 enters its final phase. Already a popular conferencing destination with a key location just moments from the airport and Queensland’s Mudjimba Beach, Novotel Twin Waters new design reflects the hotel’s desire to deliver creative conferences that inspire a thoughtful balance between business and pleasure. The hotel’s director of sales & marketing, Judy Holland, says Novotel’s stylish and modern refurbishment extends to key elements of the resort experience – from guest accommodation to restaurants and venue spaces. “Relaxed, revitalized and refreshed are words that will soon be used to describe not only how guests and delegates feel after visiting Twin Waters, but how the whole hotel now appears as a complete and integrated C&I venue,” Ms Holland says. New-look guest rooms now feature modern LCD flat screen televisions and broadband for maximum convenience in addition to comfortable and contemporary beds that feature triple sheet linen for a second to none sleep. Refurbished rooms now feature natural wood tones and soft colours that blend perfectly with the resort’s natural surrounds. For details telephone (07) 5448 8000, email conference@twinwaters.com.au or visit www.twinwatersresort.com.au.
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.
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.
Noosa Blue Resort continues to be one of the more favoured venues for boutique business events. Perched high above the Noosa CBD, and just minutes from Hastings Street and Noosa’s main beach, Noosa Blue Resort has 65 stylish one bedroom spa suites and penthouses. All suites feature a balcony and individual spa while the penthouse suites offer spectacular views 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 certainly well suited to more boutique-style meetings. For details telephone (07) 5447 5699, email conference@noosablue.com.au or visit www.noosablue.com.au for further details.
Q. What changes have you seen during your time on the Sunshine Coast?
A. I’ve been on the Sunshine Coast for about 20 years. When we built the Big Kart Track there was virtually nothing here outside the Big Pineapple and Australian Reptile Park. It’s gone from a lovely sleepy coastal town to a vibrant cosmopolitan area. And we can have a decent meal now!
Q. What’s one of your favourite places to chill out?
A. Obviously the whole of the Sunshine Coast. If we’re talking beach Mooloolaba and North Shore, my place in Woombye (my little place of tranquility), the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, stretching out to Montville, [is lovely].
Q. What’s your top pick restaurant?
A. I’m the regional chair of judges for the RTA – my personal favourites include Hungry Feel in Buderim, very top cuisine on a casual basis, fine dining at The Wine Bar in Maroochydore, The French Room in Woombye, and some great restararants in the Noosa area.
Q. When is the best time to visit the Sunshine Coast?
A. Springtime between September and November. There are two reasons for this: the weather is absolutely beautiful and it’s outside (peak) season.
Q. What’s something that meeting planners should know about the destination but probably don’t?
A. That we are a can-do destination. Anne-Marie [Coulton from the bureau] and I do a lot of famils together. We always say to our potential customers – we are the can-do destination – everything is here – beach life, casual resorts, hinterland, etc, we can put together whatever you want – just ask! What do you want? We can do it!
Q. What does the destination have that others don’t?
A. At the same time as being a “can-do” destination we can give you total relaxation. We’re not the Gold Coast. The Sunshine Coast has its own character. You want action you come to me, you want to relax, you can do that too!
Q. Why did you decide to settle here?
A. I was looking for paradise (from Belgium originally). In those [early] days it was that the Sunshine Coast was only 100km away from a major capital city.
1. 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.
2. 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. Visit www.oceanrider.com.au for further details.
 3. 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 themajority 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. The operation has 50 karts ensuring there are plenty of opportunities for delegates to get a go. For details visit www.bigkart.com.au.
4. Eumundi Markets
No visit to the Sunshine Coast is complete without a trip to the Eumundi Markets, operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The markets were established in 1979, and have been held weekly since that time rain, hail or shine. They are now run by the Eumundi & District Historical Association. Visitors can view and buy artworks and sculptures by local artists, taste home-made lemonade, freshly baked breads, locally grown produce and fresh seasonal fruit. Bring your money with you because you’ll no doubt find something that you can’t leave without. Visit www.eumundimarkets.com.au for further details.
5. Fraser Island
There are plenty of ways you can explore Fraser Island, and one of the best is in a luxury 4WD. There are quite a number of companies which offer day tours departing from the Sunshine Coast to Fraser Island, taking in Lake McKenzie, Pile Valley and Central Station, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, the wreck of the Maheno, the coloured sands of the Pinnacles, and much more. Contact the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau for contacts on www.sccb.net.au.
6. Golf anyone?
Golf continues to be one of the more popular group conference activities and there is no better place to enjoy a round than on the Sunshine Coast. The destination is full of great courses. Stand-outs are the Hyatt Regency Coolum, which was named in late 2007 as the Best Australian Golf Resort by readers of Luxury Travel & Style magazine, Noosa Springs’ championship layout, and the Greg Norman-designed Club Pelican Golf Course. Visit www.coolum.hyatt.regency.com, www.noosasprings.com.au, and www.clubpelican.com.au for further details.
 7. UnderWater World
If you’re conferencing on the Sunshine Coast with children, or are looking for a venue with a difference for a cocktail party or function then we suggest you take a look at UnderWater World, located in Mooloolaba. The venue recently opened its Crawly Creatures exhibit featuring the world’s largest marine, land and migratory crabs. UnderWater World has some great spaces for groups of 60 or more, with little theming required. Visit www.underwaterworld.com.au for further details.
8. Learn to surf
If you’ve always had a desire to learn to surf but never found the time then maybe you should make time during your conference. This is not only a great fitness workout, it will get your group out and about in the great outdoors and having fun together. There are always plenty of laughs to be had with first-time surfers, and with soft surfboards injuring yourself is pretty hard. Many surf schools can tailor-make the experience to groups of all shapes and sizes. Contact the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau on www.sccb.net.au for help in locating a surf school that best fits your requirements.
9. Pamper yourself
Just as golf is a hot pre- and post-event favourite so too is the spa experience. And there are plenty to choose from on the Sunshine Coast. Many major resorts including the Hyatt Regency Coolum, Sheraton Noosa, Noosa Springs, Novotel Twin Waters and the Ramada Pelican Waters offer spas – each with their own special styles and packages. We suggest that you visit the individual resorts for what they offer in terms of treatment packages, or contact the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau on www.sccb.net.au for further details.
10. Cooking classes
The Sunshine Coast has developed a reputation over the past decade as a great destination for excellent cuisine so why not learn from some of the local masters and take part in a cooking school during your northern sojourn. There are plenty of great options around, and one of the best has to be the Spirit House in Yandina. With a maximum of 16 people this school is hugely popular and bookings are necessary well in advance of any event. Telephone (07) 5446 8977 or visit www.spirithouse.com.au for further details.
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