State of the Region 2026

Next date: Friday, 08 May 2026 | 08:00 AM to 11:45 AM

The Whitsundays is entering a growth phase and this is your opportunity to be part of it.

Join business leaders, industry experts, government decision makers and inspiring voices from across the country for a dynamic morning designed to challenge thinking, spark ideas and unlock opportunity.

This is not just another forum, it’s a conversation about the future of our region, and how we seize it.

Attendance is free but registration is required.

Why You Should Attend

Gain insights into the region’s growth pipeline and economic future
Understand how Brisbane 2032 will create real opportunities for local businesses
Hear directly from leaders shaping investment, tourism and infrastructure
Walk away with practical ideas to grow, adapt and think bigger

State of the Region

Hear from Mayor Ry Collins as he outlines the current state of the Whitsundays and the opportunities ahead.

This session provides a snapshot of the region’s economic outlook, key projects and growth priorities.

Panel Sessions

Olympic Panel: Olympic Mindset – Leadership, Performance & Opportunity

Hear from Olympians and Paralympians who have performed on the world stage and discover what it really takes to think big.

This session goes beyond sport, unpacking the mindset, resilience and leadership required to perform at the highest level and turn opportunity into results.

Featuring:

Dominique Lamb
Cate Campbell
Cedric Dubler
Al Vinney
Sam Tait

The discussion will explore:

High-performance thinking for business and leadership
Lessons in resilience, discipline and adaptability
How to prepare for opportunities like Brisbane 2032
Real insights into thriving under pressure

Moderated by Tash Wheeler, this session will also include audience Q&A, giving you the opportunity to hear directly from those who have performed at the highest level.

Industry & Investment Panel: Turning Opportunity into Action

This is the session that connects the big picture to what’s possible in the Whitsundays.

Hear from industry leaders working at the centre of tourism, major events, and investment.

Panel Speakers Include:

Bernie Hogan – Chief Executive, Queensland Hotels Association
Stuart Field – Managing Director, Oztix
Additional industry and investment speaker to be announced

Together, they will share what’s driving growth, where the opportunities are in the Whitsundays, and what needs to happen to attract investment and make the most of what’s ahead.

The discussion will cover:

Where the biggest opportunities for tourism and investment are in the Whitsundays
How we can attract and enable investment locally
The role of major events and tourism in growing the Whitsundays economy
How local businesses can expand and capitalise on upcoming demand
What the Whitsundays needs to do now to make the most of Brisbane 2032

If you’re a local business, operator or investor, this session will give you a clearer picture of where things are heading and how to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Local Leaders Panel: What This Means for the Whitsundays

This is where the conversation turns to what it all means for the Whitsundays.

Bringing together key regional leaders across tourism, government, industry and agriculture, this panel will focus on the real opportunities in front of us and the action needed to move forward.

Panel featuring local leaders from across:

Tourism and destination development
Government and infrastructure
Business and industry
Agriculture and the regional economy

Moderated by Mayor Collins, this discussion will reflect on the key insights from the morning and what they mean for the Whitsundays now and into the future.