As we head into October the Whitsundays has certainly turned it on for the School Holiday and Golden Week period with our many visitors basking in some of most glorious weather you can imagine.
A great time for our region with the main street abuzz with people, charter boats out by the hundreds and day trip boats full of smiling happy tourists, and countless images of our iconic beaches and region being blasted out to the world on Instagram, tweets and social media posts.
Speaking of great first impressions, congratulations to all involved in the Whitsunday Coast Airport Upgrade which was official opened a couple of weeks ago. Flying back home last week, and chatting to a family from Brisbane, they were stunned by the transformation from a few years ago and couldn’t speak highly enough of the improvements. It is a fantastic asset for our region.
Golden Week is upon us and presents an opportunity to reverse declining Chinese tourist numbers over the Chinese New Year period. All businesses need to make an effort, and you will be amazed how easy it is and the rewards you will get. Learn a few basic greetings (Hello – Ni Hao, Thank You – Xie Xie), have menus, instructions or specials translated in simplified Chinese – don’t be shy ! Just these few small things can have a huge impact!
On a potentially divisive issue, Council Division Boundaries are being reviewed by the Local Government Change Commission for ECQ in an attempt to balance up the population in each Division. Currently Division 2 has by far the most people but only one councilors’ vote. The Mayor has done a great job unifying the region and The Chamber supports any proposal that results in fair representation for the constituents of our region. Division Boundaries need to evolve and reflect changes in the population of the region.
Looking forward, The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is just around the corner (November 8-10) . Don’t miss out! Get your tickets and be part of the action. The town certainly come s alive with a great atmosphere and quality entertainment everywhere. An iconic event bring economic benefit and raising the profile of our region.
The Main Street survey responses flooded in and it was a fantastic number in the end. We have now closed off the survey and are collating the results. We will publish them on our website shortly.
In other news, if you’re a small-to-medium manufacturer, Made In Queensland (MIQ) funding can propel your business into the future, helping you become an advanced manufacturer focusing on innovative systems, processes and strategies and leading-edge technologies.
Round 3 of the MIQ manufacturing grant is now open for Expressions of Interest. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a detailed application between November 8, 2019 and December 20, 2019. Contact MIQ at madeinqueensland@dsdmip.qld.gov.au And if you’ve been thinking about exporting, this is the workshop for you.
Learn how to expand your business into overseas markets with a free Export Ready Workshop, in Mackay, on October 24 (8.45 am-2.00 pm). Includes morning tea and light lunch. The subsidised workshop is being delivered by Trade and Investment Queensland, the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning and the Export Council of Australia as an initiative of ‘Advancing Trade and Investment’. Email info@export.org.au for more information.
Our next event will be the Chamber Christmas Party, at the end of November – so join now and meet your fellow Chamber members in style at the Christmas end-of-year celebration!
The new aquarium at Whitsunday Coast Airport
Chamber Chat – Thursday, October 17, 2019