Business Events

EVENT HOST: Sanctuary Cove
LOCATION: Sanctuary Cove

Welcome to Australia's must-see boating blockbuster!

The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is the greatest show afloat. The Southern Hemisphere's marquee marine event with a superstar lineup of more than 300 exhibitors across everything from the latest marine gadgets and must-have technology to a massive display of trailer boats, sail boats, motor yachts and superyachts plus a raft of exciting new product launches.

The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show promises plenty of showstopping moments from exclusive VIP experiences in The Lagoon Beach Club to boatloads of activities, including live entertainment stages, fishing demonstrations, street performers and a fun-filled kids activities. Get along to the biggest and best boating lifestyle show with over 820 boats and thousands of marine products.

Don't miss this full-on, four-day, action-packed event of all things aquatic.

EVENT HOST: Queensland Government
LOCATION: Mercure Gold Coast Resort, Carrara

The Queensland Small Business Month expo is free to attend and tailored to suit businesses at every stage of their journey, providing practical solutions and insights to support growth and success.

What to expect at the expos:

• Small business services exhibition: Access information and services from selected key government agencies and business groups. Explore and discover opportunities linked to major projects like the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Specialised business support: Get one-on-one advice from Mentoring for Growth program business mentors, financial counsellors and cyber security experts. Spots are limited and additional questions to tailor this support to your business needs will be asked on registration.
• Presentations: Learn from industry leaders through panel discussions and practical sessions.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with experts, network with peers and access the tools needed to thrive.

EVENT HOST: Cohort Innovation Space
LOCATION: Southport

Looking to meet like-minded builders, experiment with AI, and actually create something from scratch? Got ideas but not sure how to bring them to life? This is your moment.

Join this high-energy two-day hackathon designed specifically for NextGen students, where you will learn how to use AI tools in a real-world context, collaborate with talented peers, and build something you can be proud of.

EVENT HOST: Australia Local Business Networking Group
LOCATION: The Galley, Coomera

Join the Coomera Business Networking Group for a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow your business in a supportive, friendly environment.

Why Attend?

• Grow Your Network: Meet and collaborate with like-minded business owners and professionals in your local area.
• Learn & Thrive: Every meeting includes a business education session featuring a guest presenter or workshop on topics like Branding, SEO, Digital Marketing, Finance, Sales, and more.
• Valuable Connections: Share experiences and gain insights from members with diverse backgrounds and expertise to help grow your business.
• Supportive Community: Be part of a group focused on helping each other succeed personally and professionally.
• Every Membership makes a difference: Hive Networking Groups is proudly owned by the Kids4Kids Foundation, meaning every membership directly supports children in need.

EVENT HOST: RDA Gold Coast & the Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce
LOCATION: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

RDA Gold Coast in partnership with the Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce are proud to deliver Winning Work, a seated luncheon designed to connect local businesses with the people, insights and opportunities that matter most.

This collaborative event brings together senior government representatives, industry specialists and funding bodies in one room for a practical, outcomes focused afternoon.

Hear directly from senior specialists and elected representatives as they unpack the key challenges impacting Southern Gold Coast businesses right now, including fuel supply and cost pressures, workforce relations, employment regulations, ATO obligations, payday super readiness, procurement opportunities, and access to grants and funding.

A curated series of activation tables also provides rare, direct, face to face access to government agencies, funding bodies and specialist advisors who can make a real difference to your business, helping you walk away with clear connections, practical advice and next steps you can act on immediately.

EVENT HOST: Industry Capability Network
LOCATION: Helensvale

Learn how to elevate your Gateway by ICN profile, ensuring your business is well positioned to capture industry opportunities.

The Queensland Manufacturing Hubs and Industry Capability Network (ICN) Queensland invite you to a Queensland Government Supplier Readiness and Gateway by ICN Profile Improvement Workshop tailored for regional manufacturers.

This interactive workshop provides manufacturers with practical guidance on how to clearly present their capability, capacity and expertise on Gateway by ICN for major project supply opportunities across both Queensland and nationally. It also addresses key buyer expectations, including how to communicate sustainability benefits and local supply chain value within profiles and EOI responses. The session includes guided activities and live profile review, supporting participants to refine profile content, address common visibility issues, and strengthen readiness for EOIs.

EVENT HOST: Qld Department of State Development - SEQ South
LOCATION: Southport

Are you a regional Queensland business? Want to stand out from your competitors and improve your chances of winning tenders?

This practical and interactive workshop will help you to prepare comprehensive and conforming bids to tender for government and private sector contracts, large and small.

You’ll learn how to write an effective tender response that outlines the expertise, experience and value-add activities of your business to procurement managers who are responsible for assessing if you are the right fit for their supply chain. The workshop will cover:

• how to interpret tender documentation
• how to prepare responses to key criteria
• understanding the importance of non-price criteria vs price
• common pitfalls and traps
• where to look for current and upcoming tendering opportunities
• how to conduct market research to maximise your chances of success

Reimagine innovation for your manufacturing business!

Join Queensland Manufacturing for an exclusive breakfast session in partnership with UQ, featuring Professor Sarel Gronum, a leading expert in innovation and business growth.

What’s in it for you?

• Gain fresh ideas and insights to redefine innovation for your team and business.
• Develop innovative ideas to commercialise growth strategies for your business.
• Learn practical strategies to boost productivity and competitiveness.
• Explore how to leverage innovation to tackle workforce challenges and unlock growth opportunities.
• Connect with industry peers, experts, and government representatives during dedicated networking opportunities.
• Enjoy a light breakfast while engaging with like-minded professionals.

EVENT HOST: Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce
LOCATION: Southern Cross University, Bilinga

The Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce is excited to present the 2026 Masterclass Series, a collaborative offering in conjunction with Southern Cross University, designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of our members. This series aims to address the key challenges faced by businesses today and provide practical solutions through expert-led sessions.

Global uncertainty is increasingly shaping how businesses plan, invest, and manage risk. This session offers practical, evidence‑based insights from policy, markets, and the energy transition to support confident decision‑making in business.

EVENT HOST: BNI Gold Coast & Tweed Shire
LOCATION: Shearers Arms Tavern, Ormeau

Grow Your Business with BNI Ormeau

Join this free information session to discover how Business Network International (BNI) helps business owners generate consistent referrals, increase visibility, and build powerful local partnerships. This is your opportunity to become a founding member of the new Ormeau chapter and secure your professional category.

EVENT HOST: Water Industry Operations Association of Australia
LOCATION: Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, Nerang

Get ready for WIOA’s premier and largest annual gathering of the water industry operations sector! Returning bigger, better, and bolder in 2026!

Whether you’re an experienced operator, emerging professional, or passionate about innovation in the water sector, this event is your opportunity to connect, learn and grow with the best in the industry.