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Strong interest in State of the Region conference
Strong community interest in major issues facing the Sunshine Coast such as water supply, population growth and changing tourism trends has led to the second annual State of the Region Conference at the University of the Sunshine Coast being booked out in advance.
The conference at the University on Tuesday 31 October will address both the best and worst case scenarios for the environmental, economic and social future of the Sunshine Coast and will involve many of the Coast’s top leaders and decision-makers.
It will have the theme “What if … Scenarios for the Sunshine Coast” and will be co-hosted by USC Faculty of Business and the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) with support by companies KPMG, Investa and Parsons Brinckerhoff.
Keynote addresses will be from Wotif.com CEO and founder Graeme Wood, Parsons Brinckerhoff principal water engineer Dean Toomey, CSIRO sustainable ecosystem program leader Dan Walker and Local Government and Planning principal demographer Alison Taylor.
USC Cultural Studies senior lecturer Dr Karen Brooks will lead the final session of the conference, a panel discussion about “Social futures – dreams or nightmares”. The panel will include Caloundra mayor Don Aldous, Noosa mayor Bob Abbot and Maroochy deputy mayor Zrinka Johnston.
Conference organiser and USC business lecturer David Gration said he was pleased with the response to the event which will feature discussions by business, government, academic and other community leaders and decision-makers who will shape the Coast’s future.
“The conference program is designed to maximise interaction and networking with leading business entrepreneurs in the tourism, retail, building and manufacturing sectors and other key regional decision makers,” he said.
“Last year, the State of the Region Conference ended up being nearly full. This year it has sold out in advance and next year we’ll probably move into a larger venue.’’