Thriving Through Change Business Expo - 5 August

The Thriving Through Change Business Expo brings together local business owners, industry experts and support organisations for an afternoon of practical advice, focused insights and valuable networking opportunities. Secure your spot now.

Event Details

Location | Maroochy RSL, 105 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore
Date | Wednesday 5 August 2026
Cost | Free

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Businesses across Australia are navigating rising costs, changing consumer expectations and rapid technological change. Thriving Through Change has been designed to help Sunshine Coast businesses stay informed, adapt confidently and identify new opportunities for growth.

Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, practical advice or valuable business connections, the afternoon offers something for every stage of business.

Program Overview

Expo | 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Keynote | 4:00pm
Leaders Panel | 5:00pm
Networking drinks | 5:45pm

Why Attend?

The Thriving Through Change Business Expo has been designed to help businesses:

Understand emerging economic and consumer trends
Explore growth opportunities and new markets
Learn about AI, automation and digital tools
Access funding, grants and business support services
Strengthen workforce capability and skills
Build resilience and prepare for future challenges
Connect with business leaders, industry experts and support organisations
Expand professional networks across the Sunshine Coast business community

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leading speakers, learn from successful local businesses and engage directly with more than 35 exhibitors offering practical advice, resources and support.

The Full Program

3:00pm - 7:00pm - Registration Open & Expo Access

Connect with over 35 exhibitors offering advice, resources and support for your business across key areas:

AI & Automation
Marketing & Digital Upskilling
Business Planning & Strategy
Networking & Ecosystem Connections
Funding, Grants & Financial Support
Workforce & Skills
Disaster & Risk Preparedness

4:00pm - 5:00pm - Keynote Presentation

Effie Zahos, Finance Editor, Commentator, Finance Literacy Campaigner
Adjusting your business to meet consumer spending trends
Does all the doom and gloom talk keep you awake as a business owner? Are you finding that consumer spending has dropped (or worried that it will soon)? Have you wondered whether the economic information you consume is true or false?

Join us for this keynote as one of Australia's most respected financial commentators, Effie Zahos reviews the current economic landscape, how it has impacted consumer sentiment and what it means for small business. Drawing on her expertise in consumer behaviour, spending trends and financial markets, Effie will explore where Australians are spending their money, how customer expectations are evolving and the emerging opportunities businesses can leverage to stay competitive. Through practical examples and real-world insights, you'll gain a clearer understanding of the factors influencing consumer decisions and how you can adapt your products, services and operating models to respond to changing market conditions.

You'll leave with actionable ideas to better position yourselves for growth, attract customers and build resilience in an evolving economy.

5:00pm - 5:45pm - Leaders Panel

Discovering Your Market, facilitated by Roz White, Director White's IGA.
Following Effie Zahos' insights into changing consumer spending trends and market conditions, this panel explores how successful Sunshine Coast businesses have responded to those changes to find, attract and retain the right customers. Hear from local business leaders who have built strong brands, identified new opportunities and created loyal customer communities in an evolving business landscape.

Through real-world experiences and practical examples, panellists will share how they identified shifts in customer behaviour, uncovered market opportunities, differentiated themselves from competitors and navigated growth through changing economic conditions.

The panel includes:
Rob Rand, Founder & CEO, Knobby
Karmin Kenny, Founder, Mineral Fox
Tony Kelly, Founder, Restaurant Group (Rice Boi, Market Bistro, Bocca)

Following the panel discussion, you'll have the chance to put your questions directly to the panellists during a live Q&A session, diving deeper into the insights shared by both the Leaders Panel and Effie Zahos, and exploring what they mean for your business.

5:45pm 7:00pm - Networking Drinks & Expo

Grab a drink and a canape and continue the conversation with exhibitors, speakers and fellow business owners. Build valuable connections, discover new opportunities and access the support available to help your business thrive.

The Exhibitors

Explore the diverse range of exhibitors between 3 - 7pm, offering expert advice and practical resources across key business areas: