‘On world map’: region secures three global honours
The Sunshine Coast’s passion for innovation, growth and commitment to community has been highlighted with three major international awards. Read more.
Sunshine Coast Council won three Gold awards at the 2024 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) awards ceremony held in Denver, Colorado, in the United States.
Council’s Testing Tech in Paradise program and Sunshine Coast Incentive Assistance Program earned top accolades for innovation in marketing, technology and economic recovery efforts.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the wins reinforced the great work undertaken by Council.
“It also recognises Council’s ongoing efforts in advancing towards the goals set out in Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Strategy,” Mayor Natoli said.
“Our region is on the world map and these awards highlight how the Sunshine Coast is leading the way in innovation and growth.
“We’re not just competing on the global stage - we’re winning.”
Video-led campaign’s huge success
Testing Tech in Paradise showcased the Sunshine Coast’s high-tech capabilities, nabbing Gold awards in two categories: Multimedia Promotion and Paid Advertising Campaign.
The video-led marketing campaign, created with support by local business Macneil & Co., featured futuristic AI video avatars which attracted more than 890,000 views, over 1.2 million impressions and generated 312 new investment leads over three months.
It consisted of The Connected Worker video which took viewers behind the scenes of a technology trial of augmented reality headsets supplied by project partner, the AVR Lab, and the Sports Tech video which positioned the Sunshine Coast as the ideal test site for sports tech in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Adding to the medal haul was the Sunshine Coast Incentive Assistance Program (SCIAP), which won Gold in the Recovery, Resilience and Mitigation category for its role in re-building the local economy after the COVID-19 downturn.
SCIAP helped expedite shovel-ready projects like Country Chef's new facility at Sunshine Coast Industrial Park, Caloundra (pictured below) to start as soon as possible to rapidly increase capital expenditure and job creation. Outcomes of the program included five completed projects with 12 still underway and a total economic impact (direct and indirect) of $411.8 million and 1271 new jobs.
The IEDC is the largest non-profit organisation serving economic developers with more than 4,300 members.
IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle praised the Sunshine Coast’s achievements.
“Sunshine Coast Council is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with its Testing Tech in Paradise and SCIAP projects,” Mr Ohle said.
“These awards highlight Council’s commitment to its community and demonstrate the transformative impact of economic development.
“It is with great pride that IEDC presents these awards to Sunshine Coast Council, celebrating their leadership and innovation in the field of economic development.”
Awards Summary
Project Name: Testing Tech in Paradise
Award Level: Gold Winner
Award Category: 5. Paid Advertising Campaign
Award Population Size: Population between 200,000 - 500,000
Project Name: Testing Tech in Paradise
Award Level: Gold Winner
Award Category: 3. Multimedia Promotion
Award Population Size: Population between 200,000 - 500,000
Project Name: Sunshine Coast Incentive Assistance Program (SCIAP)
Award Level: Gold Winner
Award Category: 19. Recovery, Resiliency & Mitigation
Award Population Size: Population between 200,000 - 500,000