Chamber Chats

Innovation, entrepreneurialism and start-ups have been some of the biggest BUZZ words in business over the past few years and there has been a real push from the government to foster these elements, this is the space where the SCRIPT $1million initiative for the Sunshine Coast region was conceived…Throughout the week we have been speaking with businesses and industry experts about the issues and elements mostly affecting established businesses, but today we are turning this on its head and will focusing our attention on the innovation ecosystem surrounding start-ups, particularly looking at the impact of technology. Today we will be talking to Coby Sullivan the Regional Innovation Coordinator at SCRIPT – the initiative dedicated to fuelling innovation on the Sunshine Coast.

In this episode of Chamber Chats the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce will be looking into ‘smart cities’ what they are, what they require and how small business can connect with the latest tech and grow with the newest ideas. Joining us is Merrick Spain and William Shrapnel. Merrick Spain is an emerging technologies expert, currently leading strategy and market engagement in Australia for Telstra in the Smart Cities and Communities space.Merrick has led the strategy and engagement for a number of organisations in emerging technology markets throughout his career, including Wireless and Mobility, RFID, Robotics, and various vertical-industry software technologies and lives in Pelican Waters in Caloundra and works across the country. Will Shrapnel founded Caloundra business Helimods which provides special mission solutions to Helicopters and does this on an international level. Helimods were the winners of Telstra’s Queensland Business of the Year last year and through Will’s leadership and industry knowledge are going from strength to strength.

Not one to mince words, Steve Baxter talks through some of the major elements of business and tech today from agriculture, flying cars and NBN to online mattresses - everything is up for grabs. In this episode of Chamber Chats, President of the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce Michael Shadforth speaks with one of Australia’s most successful tech entrepreneurs, a mentor to startups, QLD’s previous chief entrepreneur, an active investor and Australia’s favourite panellist on the hit show the Shark Tank – Steve Baxter. In this episode, we will look into the top challenges and opportunities to running a business and everything in between.

In this episode the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce is joined by CEO of the Sunshine Coast Airport, Andrew Brodie to discuss the enormous opportunities being made available to small business on the Sunshine Coast. Airports play a significant role in economic development in their ability to not only increase accessibility and the tourism dollar but also provide enormous freight and export opportunities. The reduced costs and shortened timeframes offer some businesses the ability to scale their operations on an international level.In addition, the Sunshine Coast has seen an increasingly sophisticated and industrious Agribusiness sector on the Sunshine Coast. This high-value industry is perfectly situated here on the beautiful Sunshine Coast to leverage these exciting opportunities made available through the expansion of the region’s airport.

In Part One of this episode, the Caloundra Chamber will take your business to new heights as we learn about the exciting opportunities and outcomes made available through the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project with a particular focus on the rise of local agribusiness. On this topic we are so pleased to be joined by the CEO of Sunshine Coast Based agribusiness COYO Andrew Eves-Brown. In the past few years there has been a number of intersecting developments on the Sunshine Coast that have given rise to the profile of Agribusiness opportunities here. From the Airport Expansion Project currently underway, the mounting success of the Food and Agribusiness Network and the growth of some incredible local businesses – it is clear that there is a bright future ahead for this identified high-value industry on the Sunshine Coast.