The 137 successful 2023 Sunshine Coast Business Awards finalists came together with Awards sponsors at a special storytelling masterclass and cocktail party celebration at Noosa Springs yesterday.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said the event was always a very special one, bringing together everyone to celebrate ahead of the Awards Gala in November, but it was extra special this year.

“This year, we wanted to evolve the Finalists Event, so the Awards committee looked at the event objectives, which is to celebrate the finalists and bring them all together along with our sponsors, as well as to help them make the most of their status as finalists, Mrs Swaine said.

“In the past, we have always had a media master class, but this year we focussed specifically on the importance of storytelling – for both the individuals involved and as a business. We also increased the engagement and networking opportunities between our finalists and our great supportive sponsors through some new networking activities.

After hundreds of hours of judging, the finalists’ results are in for the 2023 Sunshine Coast Business Awards.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said this year saw more entries submitted than ever before.

“We are very excited to announce this year’s finalists. Overall we have 137 across 16 different categories,” Mrs Swaine said.

Mrs Swaine said this year’s entries were again of a very high calibre.

“Year on year, we see higher and higher quality entries, and it is very clear entrants are working hard on their applications, so I would like to congratulate this year’s finalists and also thank everyone who entered,” Mrs Swaine said.

Buderim Garden Club deputy president Michael Sax and President John Lyons are looking forward to this year’s Festival and Open Garden Program featuring Michael’s Island View Court garden

The best Buderim gardens, garden sculptures, plants and flowers will all be showcased at the anticipated annual Buderim Garden Festival in October.

The Festival, from Friday 13^th to Sunday 15^th October, is the showcase event of the Buderim Garden Club, which has been a Buderim institution since 1946, and the Festival itself dates back to 1975.

Buderim Garden Club president John Lyon said this year’s festival was coming together better than ever, with a busy three-day schedule including Open Gardens, the Garden Sculpture Exhibition, the Spring Flower Show and Photographic Display, the Church Floral Display, as well as the always popular plant markets.

Just completing a Sunshine Coast Business Award can have a significant impact on your business, according to past winners and finalists, so now is the time to get to work on your application.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said there was a lot of excitement about the Awards this year, with over 250 businesses having already started their applications in the Awards online entry system.

“When people think about the Awards, they often think about our great Gala, but even the process of completing the written application can have great benefits for your business but don’t just take my word for it,” Mrs Swaine said.