There’s something special about holding a conference or an incentive on the Sunshine Coast that immediately attracts a positive reception.
It’s more than just the sunny name and it’s even more than the ‘vibe’. It’s the fact that an ‘exotic’ destination dominated so much by nature can be so accessible for conference organisers, being less than two hours from most of the east coast centres and just three hours from Auckland.
Even better, delegates can be discussing the conference program with their toes in the water and a chilled drink in their hands minuties after touching down at Sunshine Coast Airport.
As you land, you have the sea almost within a pineapple’s throw of the tarmac, and to highlight the destination’s rich diversity, the dramatic craggy Glass House Mountains form a backdrop to the west that adds to the exotic attraction, while being just half an hour away.
Befitting such a nature-based destination, conference and event organisers know they can combine serious business with distinctive and attractive experiences.
That’s why the region has already established itself as one of Australia’s leading destinations for ‘incentive trips with a purpose’, inviting groups to ditch the stresses of modern life and get back in touch with nature.
That’s not to say that’s it all beer and skittles on the Sunshine Coast (though it is the Craft Beer Capital of Australia). The region takes business events very seriously and in 2026 and beyond, the Sunshine Coast will welcome new hotels that will elevate the conferencing capacity significantly.
New internationally branded upscale accommodation
The region’s first major new branded leisure hotel in over 30 years will launch in April 2026, overlooking one of the region’s most iconic beaches.
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel will feature 180 rooms, three distinctive bars and restaurants, state-of-the-art meeting, conference and function facilities with 180degrees water views for up to 250 guests. Leisure facilities include AvaniSpa and AvaniFit facilities, and a spectacular rooftop pool.
Known worldwide for the brand’s cool, contemporary styling, laidback ambience and impeccable service, the new Mooloolaba property will be the first full-service Avani hotel in Australia.
Another new name to have arrived on the Sunshine Coast accommodation scene is Elysium, though the hotel itself has been an icon for many years. After completing a multi-million renovation, the Sofitel Noosa Beach Resort has been relaunched as Elysium Noosa Resort.
Elysium Noosa
All 175 hotel rooms and suites have been fully reimagined and redesigned by Melbourne based Interior Architecture & Design studio, Mitchell & Eades, while the city’s celebrated restaurateurs Alessandro and Anna Pavoni have brought award-winning Italian dining experience Cibaria to Hastings Street, alongside coastal-inspired Bar Capri.
The renovation included the hotel’s event spaces, the largest of which is the ballroom, with its expansive LED wall and floor-to-ceiling windows, that can seat 350 delegates in theatre mode.
And with the Sunshine Coast co-hosting the 2032 Olympic Games, there is an impressive pipeline of hotels in development or in planning statges, including the famed Calile brand for Noosa and a Crowne Plaza for Maroochydore.
Sunshine Coast Airport spreads its wings massive upgrade begins
Sunshine Coast Airport has commenced its $170 million terminal redevelopment project, which will expand the domestic departure lounge threefold, and introduce new technology such as 18 self-check-ins and 10 automatic bag drops.
This massive upgrade comes as the airport grows its connectivity to Asia for the first time. Beginning in March, a new Jetstar service will connect the Sunshine Coast with Singapore (via Bali). This is in addition to year-round direct services from Auckland and seasonal Air New Zealand services from Auckland.
Domestically, the Sunshine Coast has direct connections from Adelaide, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney.
From sleepy holiday destination to thriving hi-tech growth centre
Beyond the picturesque coastal beaches and stunning Hinterland, the Sunshine Coast is a leader in future industries, digital innovation, and medical institutions.
The dramatic change in the Sunshine Coast business landscape has been aided by the fact that Maroochydore is home to several new underwater communication cables, including the recent landing of the Tabua cable, which connects Australia directly to the United States via a new Pacific route. This is in addition to the Japan-Guam-Australia South (JGA-S) cable that landed there earlier, which connects to Asia.
These new cables significantly improve internet speeds, reliability, and data costs for the region, establishing Maroochydore as a key international digital hub and data centre location.
The new Maroochydore CBD is already well established with plans for a game-changing events centre that will double as a venue for the 2032 Olympic Games. A new hotel is also planned to complement the project.
The precinct already plays host to large and small corporations, as well as Sunshine Coast Council, making the rooftop Altitude Nine function centre a popular choice for
meetings and events.
Visit Sunshine Coast Business Events team delivers the sunshine
The Visit Sunshine Coast Business Events team acts as a connector and advocate for the region, helping event organizers plan and book corporate events, conferences, and incentives by offering impartial advice, local knowledge, and event-planning support.
The dynamic team is a powerful resource for PCOs and event organisers, with full access to a range of accommodation and venue providers to ensure the best possible options for business events organisers.
The team are firm believers in the ‘tour of the factory floor’ approach, meeting with business event organisers and then building tailor-made itineraries of the Sunshine Coast so that organisers can experience this gem of a place first-hand.
A full suite of information, itineraries and contact details is available on ou website.
