Markets are part of what makes the Whitsundays tick – supporting local businesses, giving visitors a taste of the region, and bringing people together.
Over the past 12 months, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry has managed the Airlie Beach Cruise Ship Markets in partnership with Airlie Events and has now added back-office support to Tarnia Patton and Ambi Ford for the popular Proserpine Community Markets.
Together, the markets create opportunities for local traders to showcase what they do, reach new customers, and contribute to the wider community.
For the Chamber, it’s about keeping local markets strong and supporting micro and small businesses.
A place to start, test and grow
For many stallholders, markets are an important part of doing business – whether they’re starting out, testing an idea, or reaching new customers.
Makers, growers, home-based businesses, and food vendors can meet customers face-to-face, build their profile, and generate income without the overheads of a traditional shopfront. For hobbyists, a market can also be a way to share a passion and see where it might lead.
The Airlie Beach Cruise Ship Markets provide the added opportunity to connect with thousands of visitors, many who stay connected long after they leave the Whitsundays.
Supporting the people behind the stalls
For Cruise Ship Market stallholders, the past year has brought more support, clearer systems, and a stronger voice in the market’s future.
Regular stallholder meetings, weekly updates, online registration and site allocation, and a dedicated Stallholder Sub-Committee make it easier for traders to stay informed and help shape the market.
The Chamber has also worked closely with Council on practical improvements to support stallholders and visitors, while Chamber’s $99 Market Vendor Subscription provides discounted fees, promotional opportunities, and access to business resources, education, and networking.
Local money, local causes
The benefits don’t stop when the markets close.
Both the Airlie Beach Cruise Ship Markets and Proserpine Community Markets contribute to the Whitsundays Chamber Community Fund, which provides grants to eligible local not-for-profits, community groups and volunteer organisations.
It means some of the money generated through market activity can flow back into the community, supporting local projects, and organisations and creating a cycle of local trade and local benefit.
Keeping Proserpine’s local character
The Proserpine Community Markets have been built over more than five years by founder Tarnia Patton around a simple idea: run by locals, for locals. That local character remains, with Tarnia continuing as on-site Market Manager while the Chamber provides back-office support.
The next Proserpine Community Market is at the Proserpine Show Grounds on Sunday 6 December, with makers, growers, bakers, food vans, retailers, home businesses, services and community groups welcome to apply.
The Proserpine Twilight Christmas Fair will also bring another opportunity for local businesses and community groups, running from 5pm to 8pm on Friday 11 December.
More than a market day
Markets create an accessible pathway for small businesses, home-based operators, makers and hobbyists to share what they do, while giving visitors another way to experience the Whitsundays.
They showcase local products and talent, create opportunities to connect with customers and help keep spending circulating within the community.
For the Chamber, supporting markets is about recognising the many different ways people participate in business – from a market stall or home-based operation to a growing local enterprise – and that these businesses deserve the same opportunity to connect, learn, and grow as any other.
“The Chamber is here to back our market stallholders. Behind every stall is a person, a product and often a small business, and we want to help create opportunities for all of them to connect, trade and grow,” said Chamber Portfolio Manager Cait Fleming.
Contact the Chamber to learn more about our markets via portfolios@whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au
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