Sunshine Coast Business Awards celebrates excellence

The Sunshine Coast’s business community gathered in style at the 2024 Sunshine Coast Business Awards Gala on Saturday 9 November to celebrate the region’s most outstanding businesses, with Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) crowned as Business of the Year. 

AAT also took out the awards for Export and Building and Construction (large business). They design, build and operate major public aquariums worldwide and are recognised as a leader in the public aquarium development industry with projects completed in UAE, Asia, Europe, America, New Zealand and Australia.

The night was filled with entertainment and excitement with around 850 attendees recognising the 130 finalists from 239 entries as 38 trophies were awarded. 

Sunshine Coast Council has been a supporter of the Awards since their inception almost 30 years ago and has been a proud Platinum Sponsor for the past 13 years.

Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine shared the significance of this year’s event, noting the support of the awards’ nine-month program is made possible by sponsors, judges, volunteers and the business community.

“The event was a tremendous success and a fantastic chance for the Sunshine Coast to recognise and reflect on our diverse and growing business community," Mrs Swaine said. 

"Many businesses have had a tough year competing with cost of living pressures and other external factors so the awards provide an important platform to celebrate excellence across multiple sectors,” said Swaine. 

“Each year the awards get bigger and better and we look forward to next year which will mark 30 years of the program which runs over nine months and includes multiple networking opportunities for businesses."

Both Sunshine Coast and Noosa Mayors were on-hand to congratulate the winners with Emcee Shane Jacobson and entertainers 7 Sopranos and Amplify keeping up the energy in the room as they collaborated in performing Queen’s global hit Bohemian Rhapsody. 

This year’s gala event had an increased focus on locally grown and produced food and beverage with the awards’ first ever Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Bar and a menu featuring Mooloolaba prawns, Sunshine Coast saltbush, Peachester limes and more. 

Four businesses were inducted into the Hall of Fame, recognised for winning their categories over three consecutive years. The new inductees - White’s IGA, Narrows Escape, Aussie Tiny Houses and Stymie were recognised on stage. 

The 2024 Sunshine Coast Business Award Winners are: 

Accommodation, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Airport

• Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters (large)
• Glen Eden Beach Resort (small)

Advanced Technology, sponsored by Sumup

• GreaseBoss (large)
• Inform Ag (small)

Building and Construction, sponsored by Walker Corp

• Advanced Aquarium Technologies (large)
• Nyblad Constructions (small)

Business Services, sponsored by Coraggio

• Digital Nomads HQ (large)
• Noosa4Sale (small)

Clean Technology, sponsored by Noosa Council

• CDC Solar and Electrical (large)
• Mineral Fox (small)

Creative Industries, sponsored by AV Partners

• Your Brand Crew

Education and Training, sponsored by Pacific Ford

• Neurodivergent Empowered (large)
• The Eighth Mile Consulting (small)

Experiences, sponsored by Opals Down Under 

• Amaze World (large)
• Saltwater Eco Tours (small)

Food and Agribusiness, sponsored by Turbine 

• Maleny Dairies (large)
• Green Valley Fingerlimes (small)

Health and Wellness, sponsored by SunCentral

• Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group (large)
• Activate Body - Physio, Health and Fitness (small)

Hospitality, sponsored by Portable Creations

• Alex Surf Club (large)
• Sunny Rays Catering (small)

Manufacturing, sponsored by Sunquest Signs

• The Mattress Company (large)
• First Light Fabrication (small)

Professional Services, sponsored by Travis Shultz & Partners

• Animal Emergency Service Tanawha (small)
• InDepth Accounting (large)

Retail, sponsored by JudoBank

• En Mina Leather (small)
• Kawana Flooring (large)

Social Impact, sponsored by ADFX

• ECOllaboration (small)
• SunnyKids (large)

Trades and Services, sponsored by Catton & Tondelstrand Family Lawyers

• Laguna Pest Control (small)
• MOXY Services (large)

Export, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council 

• Advanced Aquarium Technologies

Sunshine Coast Business of the Year, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council 

• Advanced Aquarium Technologies

Hall of Fame, sponsored by Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast

• White’s IGA
• Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat 
• Aussie Tiny Houses
• Stymie