From cyberspace to outer space: Coast’s global gathering
More than 100 delegates gathered at Maroochydore CBD on July 3, travelling from Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and across the Sunshine Coast to attend an exclusive tech event.
Sunshine Coast Council’s sold-out 'Testing Tech in Paradise’ event showcased opportunities for business collaboration and investment across sectors including space, smart city applications, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection and advanced manufacturing.
The event started with a behind-the-scenes tour at NEXTDC’s data centre, a presentation on the Maroochydore City Centre project by Walker Corporation and a Smart Cities tour at Sunshine Coast City Hall.
An exclusive sundowner event followed from the rooftop of Maroochydore’s Altitude Nine where delegates delved into the future of business and investment opportunities on the pristine Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine Coast Council’s Deputy Mayor Maria Suarez opened the event and emphasised Council's strategic investment in the undersea cable.
"This event demonstrates that Council’s initial and ongoing investment in the undersea cable has paid off,” Councillor Suarez said.
“We can now offer careers to our youth and others in industries that were unimaginable at the start.
“Sectors like geospatial intelligence, remote space operations, cyber security, drones and robotics are now benefiting more than ever before.
“Maroochydore City Centre is a beacon of commercial confidence in our region, supported by organisations like NEXTDC, Walker Corporation and NASDAQ-listed company, Genpact.
“These companies are all investing right here in Maroochydore and promoting our region to the world.”
The keynote speaker, Craig Scroggie, CEO and Managing Director of NEXT DC said the Sunshine Coast had emerged as a pivotal market and digital gateway in Australia.
“The Sunshine Coast is a digital gateway thanks to significant investments in cable infrastructure and the establishment of state-of-the-art data centre services," Mr Scroggie said.
“This region offers organisations a unique opportunity to undertake digital transformation, ensuring that cutting-edge services are delivered precisely where their customers and citizens need them most.”
Guests also heard from an expert panel including:
- Gerrit Oliver, Chief Scientist at Fleet Space Technologies
- Peter Williams, General Manager of Sales at Southern Launch
- Tim Kelly, Director at MEF Sunshine Coast
- Simon Webster, Executive Manager at Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
- Caroline Patton from Accuteque
- Mark Billing from Geospatial Intelligence
- Michael Whereat from Sunshine Coast Council
- Dave Biggar from Cure Marine
- Matthew Nevin from Cybermerc, and
- Matt Hobson from CAVU.
View some snaps from the event.
This event was the second in a series focused on inspiring technology-driven industries to test and trial new tech in a real-world environment on the Sunshine Coast.
The Testing Tech in Paradise series is a partnership with MySecurity Marketplace and a collaboration between Sunshine Coast Council’s Economic Development and Smart Cities teams, aimed at delivering business and community outcomes under the Sunshine Coast International Broadband Network Leverage Program.