Powering Up Regional Business: 2025 Whitsunday Regional Conference program announced

The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry has today released the full program for the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference — a flagship event designed to inspire, inform, and connect the region’s business leaders, operators, and entrepreneurs.

Held as a full-day conference in Cannonvale, the program showcases an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, industry panels, practical sessions, and networking opportunities tailored to the needs of the Whitsunday business community.

Mayor Ry Collins will officially open the event, including a major announcement confirming Whitsunday Regional Council’s formal commitment as a Small Business Friendly Council, reinforcing the region’s dedication to creating a more supportive environment for local enterprise.

Leading the day’s discussions is acclaimed business coach Judy Porter from Shiift, delivering the keynote address Get Out of Your Own Way — a call to action for business owners and leaders to step into their potential and drive purposeful growth.

A feature panel discussion, Working Better Together – From Vision to Impact, will bring together regional leaders to explore how collaboration is delivering real outcomes in infrastructure, housing, investment, and community development. Panellists include Elizabeth Hackett (Whitsunday Skyway), Terry Archer (Whitsunday Sailing Club), Justin Butler (Club Whitsunday), and Carol Norris (Greater Whitsunday Communities).

A networking segment will follow — Get Connected: Who’s Here to Help Your Business? — that will provide businesses with direct access to regional agencies and programs offering growth and support solutions.

Throughout the day, attendees will participate in four streams of concurrent sessions covering essential topics:

Round One

Thriving Leadership with Judy Porter/Shiift
Business & Community: Partnering for Positive Impact case studies with Rebecca Woods/Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, Annika and Ian Thomson/Ocean Crusaders, and Coutrney Quinn-McCrabe/Tassal and Libby Edge/Eco Barge.
From Solo to Scalable: Building a business that works with you, with Corrina Lindby/The Answer is Yes and Kate Tullett/Th3rd Dimension Media
Round Two

Ask An Expert: Money Matters for Modern Business with Gus Walsgott/Rural Financial Counselling Service, Kim Jamieson/APW, Justin Butler/Eclipse Financial Planning, Luke Sheppard/Bendigo Bank Business, Doug O’Connor/Option Insurance Brokers, and Fiona Erquiaga/Smooth Sailing Finance Consulting
International Recruitment & Migration: Driving Business and Regional Growth with Alana Hopkins, Workforce Abundance
Unlocking Motivation: Leading with Purpose and Impact with Brian Ward/BRIAN8
The Power of Storytelling: Using Personal Branding to Grow Your Business with Rachael Smith/Mackay and Whitsunday Life
Round Three

Ask An Expert: Local Marketing That Works with Melanie Laas/EMME Influence, Courtney Casey/Southern Cross Austereo, and Trish Jandt/Mackay and Whitsunday Life
Tendering: Top Ten Tips with Ros Weche/Queensland Department of State Development and Infrastructure
The Dying Art of Customer Service: 12 Rules for Success with Rick Brown
Ask An Expert: Smarter People Management for Small Business with Mark Lipkin/Airlie Group
Round Four

Leveraging AI and VR for Business Innovation and Social Impact with Simon Lowe/People Tech Revolution and Rachel Cliffe/Telstra Regional Australia
Future Skills, Regional Career Pipeline with Georgia Lavers/Greater Whitsunday Regional Jobs Committee
Ask An Expert: Finding Support Before You Need It with Cassandra Walsh/My Pathway
A networking segment titled Get Connected: Who’s Here to Help Your Business? will provide businesses with direct access to regional agencies and programs offering growth and support solutions.

The conference will close with an energising plenary, Power Up: What’s Next for Your Business?, a motivational finale focused on next steps and sustaining business momentum.

The 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference promises to be an unmissable event for anyone seeking practical knowledge, strategic insight, and meaningful business connections.

Conference Details

What: The 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference

When: 9am-5pm Thursday 28 August 2025

Where: TAFE Queensland Whitsunday campus, Cannonvale

Registration: Tickets can be shared within your team, allowing you attend what you can. Tickets include morning and afternoon tea, and lunch. Early bird registrations close 30 June, starting from $79: https://www.whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au/whitsundays-business-conference/

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