The Sunshine Coast’s eco credentials are not just getting noticed – they’re the driving force behind a growing sector of visitors.
The region’s official designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in June has seen interest from organisations seeking eco-conscious destinations to stage major conferences.
The latest event is the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) Connect Conference being held from October 10-12 at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort in Twin Waters.
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council is a member-based, purpose-led peak body working in Australia and New Zealand to promote sustainability in infrastructure development.
ISC chief executive officer Ainsley Simpson said her organisation was very excited to host the conference on the Sunshine Coast.
“We see this conference as an opportunity to bring together leading industry professionals who are advancing sustainable outcomes in our communities and regions,” she said.
“This is our decade of action for people, the planet and the economy, and we look forward to decision makers and action takers uniting at Connect to lead us through the major challenges of our time, sustainably.”
The Connect Conference brought together sustainability professionals and leaders from the infrastructure sector together for a technical training day, two days of conferencing, exhibition hall, a certification dinner, a gala dinner and awards night.
The conference will help showcase and explore national and global leading practice, using the 2032 Olympic Games as a case study in how to implement sustainability ambition in infrastructure projects.
Guest speakers include Nova Peris, Olympic Gold Medallist and the first Aboriginal woman elected to federal parliament.
Visiting delegates from across Australia and New Zealand will also focus on local leading sustainability practice, as the region transforms ahead of participation in the 2032 Olympic Games, being staged across southeast Queensland.
The ISC Connect Conference is being supported by the Sunshine Coast Business Events Assistance Program, facilitated by Visit Sunshine Coast in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council.
The program offers funding support to attract conferences, meetings and exhibitions, which raise the profile of the region as a destination for business events.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, who co-hosted the Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Scheme Certification Dinner on October 11, welcomed the staging of the four-day conference in the region.
“This reflects the region’s commitment to sustainability and its recent designation as a UNESCO Biosphere,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“Sunshine Coast Council has two speakers on the conference program: CEO MS Emma Thomas and manager environment and sustainability policy Dr David Moore.
“This is an exciting opportunity for them to share council’s long-term strategic direction to deliver a healthy, smart and sustainable environment and liveable Sunshine Coast.”
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said sustainability was one of the core values of the community and was central to the way the region was promoted in attracting likeminded visitors.
“Our sustainability credentials are appealing to both our business event and leisure markets and increasingly are becoming a point of difference for why people choose to visit the region,” he said.
“The Sunshine Coast has a world-class reputation as a nature-based destination with leading eco-friendly activities and experiences that not only immerse our visitors in nature, but also provides the perfect backdrop for business events that have sustainability as a core principle.”
For more about the Business Events Assistance Program, go to the website.
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily!
