The Sunshine Coast’s business community is celebrating after 133 businesses were named finalists in the 2026 Sunshine Coast Business Awards, with the contenders selected from 247 entries across 19 categories.
The strong field highlights the depth and diversity of the region’s business community, with this year’s finalists now vying for top honours at the Sunshine Coast Business Awards Gala Dinner to be held in November.
Sunshine Coast Business Awards chair Jennifer Swaine congratulated all 133 finalists on reaching this stage of the program. “Reaching this stage is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the hard work, resilience and ambition behind each business,” she says.
“One of the things we love most about the awards is seeing so many new businesses come through the program each year. “It’s a real sign of the strength and constant renewal of the Sunshine Coast business community.”
This year’s program also introduced a new category, the Corporate Community Champion Award, which recognises for-profit businesses that demonstrate a genuine and strategic commitment to supporting the community through structured and sustained initiatives.
“These are businesses that are embedding community contribution into their operations and culture and playing a vital role in strengthening the social fabric of the Sunshine Coast,” Jennifer says.
Sunshine Coast Business Awards judging chair Wallis Westbrook says the process remains rigorous, with written submissions and interviews with a panel of volunteer judges who donate hundreds of hours to assess entries across all categories.
“With 247 entries this year, our judging panel faced an incredibly difficult task narrowing the field down to finalists,” he says. “The standard across every category was exceptional, and it’s a real credit to our volunteer judges, who gave up so much of their time to assess each entry so thoroughly.”
Export, Sustainability and Business of the Year, along with Corporate Community Champion winners will be selected from category winners.
In addition, Advanced Aquarium Technologies, Sunny Rays Catering, Laguna Pest Control and Alex Surf Club will also be inducted into the event’s Hall of Fame.
Finalists will now progress to the next stage of judging, presenting in person to the judging panel ahead of the November 28 gala to be held at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre.
Popular actor and comedian Shane Jacobson will return as master of ceremonies for another year, as the region prepares for what promises to be a celebration of business excellence.
