A record-breaking national conference on the Sunshine Coast
Event: FTMA 2026 National Conference & Trade Expo
Destination: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Venue: Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort and Convention centre
Delegates: 264
Exhibitors: 43
Event format: National conference, trade exhibition, networking, off-site activities and conference dinner
The Sunshine Coast provided the backdrop for the biggest and most successful National Conference & Trade Expo in the history of the Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA), bringing together hundreds of industry professionals for a multi-day program combining business, networking and memorable destination experiences.
Held in May 2026, the FTMA National Conference & Trade Expo welcomed 264 delegates and 43 exhibitors from across Australia, creating a significant gathering for the nation’s frame and truss manufacturing sector.
For FTMA, the Sunshine Coast offered more than simply a place to meet. The destination enabled the association to combine a high-quality national conference and trade exhibition with relaxed networking, off-site activities and a strong connection to the local community.
Business events with room to connect
At the heart of the event was a comprehensive conference and exhibition program designed to bring manufacturers, suppliers, industry leaders and partners together.
The conference featured leading Australian speakers and industry experts, with discussions covering the future of housing and construction, timber innovation, business improvement, automation, workforce development and emerging opportunities for the sector.
A major trade expo complemented the conference program, with almost three hours dedicated to exhibition and networking time.
With 43 exhibitors, the expo provided an important platform for suppliers and manufacturers to connect face-to-face, strengthen existing relationships and start new conversations.
The extended networking format was a particular success, with FTMA reporting exceptional networking opportunities throughout the event.
It is an approach that works naturally on the Sunshine Coast, where professional event infrastructure is complemented by the destination’s relaxed atmosphere, creating opportunities for delegates to continue conversations beyond the formal conference environment.
Taking the conference beyond the conference room
One of the advantages of bringing a national business event to the Sunshine Coast is the opportunity to incorporate the destination into the delegate experience.
FTMA did exactly that with its Red Activities Day, giving delegates a choice of activities across the region including golf, a whale watching cruise and much more.
While Queensland’s weather delivered some rain, it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of delegates. Instead, the activities became another memorable part of the conference experience, with participants embracing the conditions and enjoying the opportunity to connect with colleagues outside the traditional business setting.
The program demonstrated how easily a Sunshine Coast conference can transition from plenary sessions and exhibition spaces to shared experiences across the destination.
For associations and organisations looking to encourage deeper connections between delegates, incorporating destination experiences can add another dimension to an event and provide informal networking opportunities that are difficult to replicate inside a conference room.
Connecting with the Sunshine Coast community
The FTMA National Conference Dinner provided another highlight, combining celebration, industry recognition and community impact.
Delegates embraced the evening’s “Your Childhood Icon/Idol” theme, bringing plenty of personality and creativity to the occasion while celebrating the people and achievements of the industry.
Importantly, the event also created a meaningful connection with its Sunshine Coast host community.
A silent auction held during the conference dinner raised close to $10,000 for SunnyKids, a Sunshine Coast charity supporting women and children impacted by domestic and family violence.
The fundraising initiative demonstrated how visiting business events can leave a positive legacy within their host destination, extending their impact well beyond delegate expenditure and room nights.
A destination for national association events
The record-breaking FTMA 2026 National Conference & Trade Expo demonstrates the Sunshine Coast’s ability to deliver business events that balance serious commercial outcomes with genuine opportunities to connect.
For FTMA, the destination supported a diverse event format incorporating a national conference, substantial trade exhibition, networking functions, keynote presentations, social events and activities across the region.
It also gave delegates something increasingly valuable: a reason to engage beyond the formal program.
The Sunshine Coast’s combination of business event facilities, accommodation, accessibility, natural experiences and relaxed coastal environment creates opportunities for organisers to design programs that feel distinctly different from traditional metropolitan conferences.
With delegates and exhibitors travelling from across Australia, the FTMA conference also showcased the destination’s appeal for national association and industry events where bringing a geographically dispersed community together is an important part of the brief.
Where business meets experience
With 264 delegates, 43 exhibitors and the largest event in FTMA history, the 2026 National Conference & Trade Expo was a milestone for the association and another strong example of what is possible when business events choose the Sunshine Coast.
From a busy trade exhibition and industry networking to golf, a bushtucker cruise, social activities and a conference dinner that gave back to the local community, the event made the destination part of the experience rather than simply the location.
For organisations considering where to take their next national conference, association meeting or industry event, the FTMA experience demonstrates the opportunity the Sunshine Coast offers to meet, connect and create memorable shared experiences in one destination.
