It was all sunny side up for business events professionals who flew in from Sydney and Melbourne to sample a showcase of the region’s premier venues and attractions.

The annual Sunshine Soiree was fully subscribed by leading business events bookers, who traversed the region accompanied by the trademarked sunshine and the finest of hospitality.

Beginning in Sunshine Beach – home to former prime ministers and media celebrities – the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club provided a dramatic welcome, with sightings of humpback whales parading past the floor to ceiling windows.

Two of the Sunshine Coast’s most dedicated hotels for business events – Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort and Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas – opened up their properties for a hosted inspection, before the group settled into the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, home to the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre.

The group took in the spectacular Hinterland area with breakfast at Flaxton Gardens, before doing laps at the Big Kart Track, then exploring the event spaces available at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge at Australia Zoo, and completing an action-packed day with live music and cocktails at The Station with gin tasting by Sunshine & Sons.

Other venues experienced by the group included the heritage Yandina Station and Makepeace Island.

The signature Sunshine Soiree Showcase was held at The Sunshine Coast Turf Club, where they were joined by Sunny Coast business events suppliers and buyers from across Southeast Queensland for an afternoon of hospitality that was a galloping success.

“This is our third Sunshine Soiree held on the Sunshine Coast and the fact that we were able to attract such a high-calibre group speaks volumes for the region’s growing reputation as a premium destination for business events,” said Ali Thompson, Visit Sunshine Coast Head of Business Events.

“We were able to highlight the diversity of locations and venue types across the Sunshine Coast, which are all easily accessible from Sunshine Coast Airport.

“The buyers were able to view some of the best credentialed hotels for business events on the Sunshine Coast, and we were able to share the exciting news that these will be joined by a range of new hotels – starting with the Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel in the first half of next year with extensive venues for business events groups.

“I want to thank all our delegates who came for the Sunshine Soiree and all our local venues and suppliers who ensured such a memorable three days.”

Operators participating in Sunshine Soiree included:

1E One Event, Accor, Alexandra Park Conference Centre, Altitude Nine, Be Challenged, Big Kart Track, Epic Ocean Adventures Noosa, Holiday Inn, Kangaroo Bus Lines Kingfisher Bay Resort, Makepeace Island, Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, RACV, Rumba Beach Resort Caloundra, Spicers Retreats, Splash Events, Sunreef Mooloolaba, Sunshine & Sons Premium Spirits, Sunshine Beach SLSC, Sunshine Coast Convention Centre, Sunshine Coast Turf Club, The Events Centre, Caloundra, The Station SC, Tourism Noosa, Your Brand Crew

photo: Your Brand Crew