The destination organisation has partnered with six local charities that are ready to work business events for the initiative. The charities are SunnyKids, LifeFlight, Smart Pups, Wishlist, Wildlife Warriors and Lookout 07.
Between them, these charities support vulnerable children, healthcare and critical care, wildlife, youth mental health and young people who need assistance dogs to manage autism, epilepsy, diabetes or mobility challenges.
“Business events have always delivered significant economic benefits for the Sunshine Coast, but increasingly organisers are looking to create a meaningful legacy as well,” said Visit Sunshine Coast’s head of business events, Ali Thompson-Ennis.
“This initiative makes it easy for event planners to connect with local charities and causes that align with their values, helping conferences and incentive groups leave a positive impact on our community while enhancing the delegate experience.
“It’s another way the Sunshine Coast is demonstrating that we are the responsible choice for business events.”
Through the new initiative, the bureau will connect event organisers directly with a charity so they can work together to develop a legacy specific to the event group.
Past business events on the Sunshine Coast, alongside an existing partnership between Visit Sunshine Coast and sustainability organisation Reforest, have already delivered positive impacts, however the new program provides a structured pathway for conferencing or corporate groups to leave a local legacy.
The CSR program was launched at an event on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month, with 100 Visit Sunshine Coast members and representatives of the six charities in attendance.
