Applications for the 2026 Sunshine Coast Business Awards have closed, with 247 businesses putting themselves forward in one of the strongest years on record.
Sunshine Coast Business Awards chair Jennifer Swaine says the categories attracting applications are particularly interesting, with shifts that reflect changes underway across the Coast and Noosa business communities.
Applications in Accommodation Tourism and Education and Training doubled compared with 2025, while Trades and Services and Health and Medical have overtaken traditional application leaders Professional Services and Business Services.
“We’ve always found the awards provide a fascinating snapshot of the Sunshine Coast economy, and often the trends we see coming through in applications are ahead of the curve,” Jennifer says.
The judging process will begin ahead of finalists being announced and the 2026 Sunshine Coast Business Awards Gala Dinner in November.
