A major highlight of the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference will be the dynamic plenary session Working Better Together: From Vision to Impact, showcasing how strategic partnerships are creating real, measurable outcomes across the Whitsundays.
Hosted by the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the session will explore how collaboration across sectors—government, business, community, First Nations and environmental groups—is transforming the region’s capacity to deliver high-impact projects and long-term liveability improvements.
The panel will feature local leaders actively involved in some of the region’s most exciting initiatives:
- Terry Archer, Whitsunday Sailing Club – sharing how the Club is leveraging partnerships to create an Olympic legacy and world-class marine infrastructure.
- Justin Butler, Whitsunday Sportspark – discussing the journey to securing $4.5 million in specialist lending to improve sports infrastructure, and the role of shared vision in reducing risk.
- Carol Norris, Greater Whitsunday Communities – presenting outcomes from the Housing Alliance Project and how coordinated efforts across employers, developers and government are addressing workforce housing and investment challenges in Mackay and Bowen.
“Partnerships are how we move from idea to action,” said Chamber President Allan Milostic. “This session will give businesses real insight into how collaboration, not competition, is shaping the future of our region.”
The plenary will highlight how rethinking traditional business relationships is delivering mutual benefit, improved community outcomes, and smarter resource allocation.
The 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference takes place on Thursday 28 August at TAFE Queensland’s Whitsunday Campus. The full-day event will feature expert speakers, concurrent workshops, and networking opportunities.
Full Program
Conference Details
What: The 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference
When: 9am-5pm Thursday 28 August 2025
Where: TAFE Queensland Whitsunday campus, Cannonvale
Conference Tickets
We’re officially at capacity for full-day tickets to the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference – thank you for the incredible response!
To ensure more of our business community can still benefit from the day, we’re now offering morning or afternoon-only program tickets.
Morning (9am-12:30pm) and afternoon (1:15pm-4:45pm) only tickets include either morning or afternoon tea, not lunch.
- Chamber and Tourism Whitsundays member: $20 per person morning or afternoon program.
- Member of our Association Partners: $25 per person morning or afternoon program.
- Non members: $35 per person morning or afternoon program.
Thanks!
The Chamber wishes to thank our major sponsors and media partner for their generosity and support of the 2025 Whitsundays Business Conference:
Chamber members participate in Whitsunday Planning Scheme – Short-term Accommodation Amendment roundtable