Join more than 150 business leaders, entrepreneurs, industry representatives and government stakeholders at the 2026 Whitsunday Business Conference – the Chamber’s flagship event dedicated to practical ideas, future opportunities and meaningful connections.
When: 8:30am-3:00pm Thursday 27 August 2026
Where: Club Whitsunday and PCYC Whitsundays, Airlie Beach
This year’s program brings together keynote presentations, interactive workshops and panel discussions designed to deliver real-world value for regional businesses. Key themes include leadership, workforce, AI, business growth, communication and financial resilience.
The program has been intentionally designed to move beyond theory and into practical application, with deeper sessions, increased interaction, and insights that can be implemented immediately in business settings.
Program Highlights
The Conference will open with a plenary session featuring highlights from the Chamber’s Vision for the Whitsundays project, alongside a Rising Stars Panel showcasing local young employees, trainees, and apprentices discussing the future workforce and what they value from the “Whitsundays workplace”.
Award-winning media and communications expert Ian Cohen (Cozalive Media) will deliver the keynote presentation on building a brand that stands strong under pressure, drawing on decades of experience across major global sporting events, media, communications, and reputation management.
Concurrent sessions throughout the morning will allow delegates to tailor their conference experience across a range of business-critical topics.
Round One sessions include:
Building your brand. Protecting your reputation. Increasing your worth. Growing your communication.
Join Ian Cohen for an engaging keynote that challenges conventional thinking about media, marketing, and brand strategy. Through real-world case studies, practical insights, and a touch of humour, discover how effective communication can build brand awareness, strengthen reputation, and create tangible commercial opportunities.
Building your brand. Protecting your reputation. Increasing your worth. Growing your communication.
Join Ian Cohen for an engaging keynote that challenges conventional thinking about media, marketing, and brand strategy. Through real-world case studies, practical insights, and a touch of humour, discover how effective communication can build brand awareness, strengthen reputation, and create tangible commercial opportunities.
Future-Ready in Practice: Simple Strategies for Smarter Business Systems and AI
Join Rachel Hay and Naomi Porter from James Cook University to explore practical ways to build a future-ready business. Learn how systems, AI, and work-integrated learning can streamline workflows, reduce administrative burden, improve productivity, and strengthen workforce capability through simple, achievable strategies that deliver real business outcomes.
Connecting with Big Business
A panel discussion featuring the Australian Agave Project, Abbot Point Operations, and Bowen Rail Company, focused on how regional businesses can better connect with large-scale industry opportunities and own more of the value chain.
Breakout sessions in Round Two include:
The Future Workforce: Creating Teams That Speak Up, Contribute and Innovate
Join Michele Tocci to discover how psychological safety helps teams speak up, share ideas, and perform at their best. Learn how everyday leadership behaviours influence engagement, innovation, and retention, with practical strategies to build trust, encourage contribution, and create workplaces where people feel confident to add value.
Busy but broke? Profitable on paper but short on cash?
Join Gus Walsgott from the Small Business Financial Counselling Service North Queensland for a practical session exploring the financial traps that catch out many businesses. Through real-world examples, discover how to improve cash flow, strengthen profitability, identify warning signs early, and avoid common mistakes that can undermine even successful businesses.
Your Brand in Action
A marketing-focused panel featuring Tolita Dukes (8 Seconds) and Melissa Ardern (The Creek Whitsundays) discussing visibility, AI, marketing systems, and what is currently working for regional businesses.
The Conference will conclude with an interactive Long Lunch, proudly supported by Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine, featuring business exhibitor showcases, activations and activities, networking opportunities, and major announcements.
Conference Details
What: The 2026 Whitsunday Business Conference
When: 8:30am-3:00pm Thursday 27 August 2026
Where: Club Whitsunday and PCYC Whitsundays, Airlie Beach
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