Sunshine Coast aims to break The Today Show’s biggest crowd record

It was a welcome like no other – in fact “the best in the world” – for The Today Show crew when they arrived on the Sunshine Coast last October and the local community is ready to roll out the welcome mat once again when the popular television breakfast program returns on March 10.

Presenters Karl Stefanovic, Lisa Wilkinson and Richard "Dickie" Wilkins and the rest of the Nine Network’s Today crew will fly into Sunshine Coast Airport on Wednesday, March 9 and broadcast live from Mooloolaba Beach the next morning.

Sunshine Coast Council has partnered with Sunshine Coast Airport, Visit Sunshine Coast and Tourism and Events Queensland to bring Today back to the Sunshine Coast.

Lisa and Karl are looking forward to returning to the Coast for their “We Love Australia” series.

"We just love bringing the show to the Sunshine Coast. The people are great, the beaches are amazing, and we always have the best time,” Lisa said.

Karl said last year’s Caloundra broadcast “was one of our all-time best shows, and Mooloolaba is going to be epic”.

“We want everybody to come down and help us break the record for the biggest crowd ever.”

Sunshine Coast Council CEO Michael Whittaker said the national coverage was priceless with some four million Australians watching at least five minutes of Today each week.

“We pulled out the bangs and whistles and even the brass band to welcome the crew last time and huge crowds turned up at Moffat Beach to show Australia we are proud to live on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Whittaker said.

“That broadcast was a ratings winner, attracting more than 280,000 viewers, making it the most popular of the ‘We Love Australia’ series.

“Enticing Today to return to the Sunshine Coast for their ‘We Love Australia’ series is a real coup and the short and long-term benefits this coverage will provide cannot be underestimated.

“It’s a great chance to promote a range of our business and tourism opportunities and to highlight this year’s 'Welcome to the Sunshine Coast' campaign where we will roll out the welcome mat to 150,000 guests competing and participating in more than 60 sporting and lifestyle events.

“We’ll also get the chance to celebrate Mooloolaba Beach being rated the sixth best beach in Australia by TripAdvisor.

“Today viewers will be given a close-up of our beautiful hinterland and beaches and a taste of our spectacular food culture including our Mooloolaba prawns.”

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Simon Ambrose said the Today team had advised “the Sunshine Coast broadcast at Moffat Beach last year was the best of the "We Love Australia"series because of the incredible enthusiasm shown by locals and the support they received from tourism businesses across the region”.

“The broadcast showed the Sunshine Coast at its absolute best,” Mr Ambrose said.

“It highlighted the diversity of the region, the incredible talent of its chefs, the richness of its activities and attractions and the genuine charm and character of its countryside and people.

“To be invited to host a second ‘We Love Australia’ broadcast so soon after the first reflects how much Lisa, Karl and Dickie enjoyed their experience, and we will be going all-out to make the Mooloolaba outside broadcast even more memorable.”

Combined Chambers Alliance Sunshine Coast President Michael Shadforth said this national coverage was not achieved easily and businesses had to grasp the opportunity and undertake clever marketing with and around The Today Show.

“Those who were really smart during The Today Show’s last outside broadcast benefited greatly from the publicity,” Mr Shadforth said.

“They understood this was an investment in their future and demonstrated the belief they have in that future.

“We need to look where we can offer our visitors quality service. We need to shine and it’s time to get out there and show people we are not only open for business, we are hungry for business.

“This is great for the region because it puts us on the national map and we need to show we are proud to live and work here on the Sunshine Coast.

“So I’m encouraging business owners to make sure they are at Mooloolaba on March 10 and that they support our Sunshine Coast.”

You can join the live outdoor broadcast at Mooloolaba near Loo with a View from 4.30am.

Fans who attend the outside broadcast will also have the chance to be part of Dickie’s Double Dip Cash Giveaway.