Sunshine Coast business identities have raised a toast to the work of one of the region’s hardest-working, high-profile chambers of commerce in celebration of 75 years’ service to the community.
Formed in 1947, the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce cemented itself as an integral pillar in the Sunshine Coast business community, and now supports hundreds of members from South Brisbane to Gympie.
Past and present members will unite on October 20 to celebrate the local business community at the chamber’s 75th Birthday Beach Party on Bulcock Beach.
Caloundra Chamber of Commerce committee member and Helimods founder Will Shrapnel said his innovative aerospace company had boomed since joining the chamber in 2016.
“Caloundra Chamber has helped me in my business growth primarily through connection with other business owners, founders and those that are experiencing similar challenges or working through problems,” he said. “It has been a great lift to my business.”
The chamber team was the driving force behind the creation of the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective: an initiative dedicated to growing the region’s music ecosystem, and the Business Health Check Survey.
Designed to drive better business and community outcomes on the Sunshine Coast, the survey identified mental well-being as a primary concern for business owners.
The results prompted the Caloundra Chamber to secure funding and provide Sunshine Coast businesses with free access to the Thompson Institute’s Emerald program.
From running the Caloundra Markets to building retail trade and marketing the beachside town as a tourism destination, chamber president of 10 years Michael Shadforth said the organisation had dedicated its 75 years to supporting the community.
“We are focused on how we can make a positive impact in our region, not only for better business but for better community,” he said.
Mr Shadforth said while the chamber had enjoyed countless achievements, it was the community that he was most proud of.
“This chamber has achieved so much, not as a chamber but as a group of people, as a community, as a family who just loved and believed in our town,” he said.
“That’s why Caloundra Chamber of Commerce is one of the biggest and most successful chambers in Queensland, it’s because we really know how to connect.”
Your Mates Brewing Co. co-founder Matt Hepburn said the chamber gave his business an opportunity to grow as the Currimundi Twilight Markets’ official beverage partner.
“We are really proud to be supported by the chamber and have those amazing opportunities to not only showcase our product and brand but also experience what opportunities the chamber provides our community,” he said.
4 Ingredients author and founder Kim McCosker has been a member of the chamber for 12 years and said the team continually offered her an insight into what was happening on “Caloundra’s doorstep”.
“We will be members for as long as the Caloundra Chamber will have us and we can’t thank the team enough from the bottom of our hearts for connecting and doing all you do for the businesses of Caloundra,” she said.
Local band Mismo Tempo will give an exclusive show at the beach party where entertainment, food and drinks will be served under the lights on Bulcock Beach.
For more information and to buy tickets, head to the website.
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