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‘What Works’ conference targets growth
Innovative strategies used to promote economic and jobs growth in other regions of Australia will be showcased at the Sunshine Coast’s inaugural “What Works” conference on Friday 12 November.
This interactive conference, jointly organised by the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast Council, will be held at USC’s Innovation Centre Auditorium from 8am to 5.30pm.
It will be the first of a planned annual conference series called “Sunshine Coast Futures”.
The event will bring together key regional stakeholders, academics and professionals from across a wide range of disciplines to contribute their expertise to supporting a sustainable economic future for the Sunshine Coast.
Access Economics Macroeconomic Group director Chris Richardson will deliver the keynote address on the “prosperity equation”, linking sustainable property and job growth with research, education and training.
Conference organiser and USC’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement Professor Mike Hefferan said the event would feature economic and jobs growth strategies and structures used in several comparable regions in Australia.
“There will be a particular emphasis on how partnerships accelerate economic and jobs growth, and how lessons learned might be applied to the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“It will be all about what’s worked well elsewhere, and what might also work well here to enhance a sustainable economy.
“Anyone who has an interest in and commitment to the region and its future, and a willingness to contribute their own expertise, should attend this conference.”
“What Works will provide new, evidence-based research and presentations that can help guide the chambers of commerce, the business council, industry groups, the Sunshine Coast Council and the University in assessing ways forward in economic sustainability and jobs growth in both our existing and emerging sectors and firms,” he said.
“There will be a lot of opportunities for people to give input, to discuss and see distilled the matters which have been agreed upon and discussed on the day.”
Register online for the conference via the University’s website at <www.usc.edu.au>.
– Terry Walsh