More than 70 keynote and industry speakers, 50 exhibitors and 250 delegates from across Australia will descend on the Sunshine Coast next May for the National Clean Technologies Conference and Exhibition.
The three day conference will be held at The Events Centre, Caloundra, and will further position the Sunshine Coast as Australia's cleantech industry capital.
The Clean Technologies Conference will also play an important role in bringing key industry stakeholders together, to drive growth, innovation and investment in the region.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the Sunshine Coast was leading the way nationally when it came to clean technology.
"The Sunshine Coast aims to be Australia's most sustainable region – healthy, smart, creative," Mayor Jamieson said.
"We already have one of the highest concentrations of clean technology businesses in Australia and Sunshine Coast Council is driving sustainability as a point of difference within our region.
"Just this month, the Sunshine Coast was recognised in the Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2019, sharing the global spotlight with communities from Canada, Taiwan and the United States.
"The award acknowledges how the Sunshine Coast exemplifies best practice in broadband deployment and use, workforce development, innovation, digital inclusion, sustainability and advocacy.
"This is another demonstration of why our Sunshine Coast is the perfect location for the National Clean Technologies Conference and Exhibition."
Conference director Peta Moore of Nectar Creative Communications said the conference and adjoining exhibition would encompass all clean technology growth areas including energy, waste, water, built environment and transport, and provide a forum for the Australian cleantech community to focus on "national" issues and latest developments, as well as the opportunity to come together to network, learn and do business.
"The cleantech industry has become much more mature, robust and effective in recent years," Ms Moore said.
"We're excited to partner with Sunshine Coast Council and the very strong cleantech industry on the Sunshine Coast to hold this event.
"Together we're empowering more people and businesses, giving them the latest information and cleantech solutions, so they save energy, water and money."
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Simon Latchford said attracting this major national conference would further build the region's reputation as one of Australia's premier business events destinations.
"With business events estimated to be worth $40.8 million to the Sunshine Coast region, showcasing what our region can offer in the clean and green space and collaborating with the best in the business makes good sense," Mr Latchford said.
"We have the benefit of accessibility for delegates and the richness and diversity of the destination.
"That attractive combination is really resonating with conference and event organisers."
Confirmed conference speakers include:
- Barry Du Bois, TV personality and sustainability advocate
- Aaron Wood, City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor
- Jimmy Khoo, Managing Director, Singapore District Cooling/Singapore Power Group
- Tina Perfrement, Economic Development, City of Geelong
- Chris Drake, Founder of Ocean Hydro
- Veena Sahajwalla, Australian Research Council Laureate Professor, SMaRT Centre UNSW
- Dr Tim MacTaggart, Chief Deployment Officer, Redflow Ltd
- Anna Ricketts, Regional Manager, EnviroCom Australia
