The Redland Coast Chamber of Commerce has grown its membership by more than 14 per cent in the past financial year, while its incoming committee faces the task of translating that growth into stronger event participation.
The Chamber ended the 2025/26 financial year with 290 members, up 14.2 per cent on the previous year, after welcoming 81 new businesses.
Outgoing president Suzie Tafolo said the result reflected more than recruitment, with members continuing to see value in staying connected to the organisation.
“It has been another busy year for the Chamber, with plenty happening across our membership, events, advocacy and partnerships,” Ms Tafolo said in her President’s Report.
The Chamber staged 16 events during the year, the same number as the previous financial year, attracting a total of 1,383 attendees.
However, overall attendance fell 7.9 per cent, an issue Ms Tafolo said the Executive Committee would monitor.
“We want to make sure the events we run are the events our members want to attend and that they continue to provide real value and opportunities to connect,” she said.
The Redlands Business Excellence Awards remained the Chamber’s largest single event, with 237 attendees, while a networking event with the Queensland Government Cabinet drew 124 people.
Connected Business Breakfasts attracted 399 people across five events, Redland Women in Business events drew 342 attendees, membership events attracted 121 people and other Chamber events accounted for 576 attendees.
Ms Tafolo said sponsors remained critical to the Chamber’s work, particularly the Business Excellence Awards, which continued to attract strong backing from the local business community.
The report also highlighted several initiatives beyond networking events, including the launch of the Eyes on the Street business watch program with Queensland Police Service.
The Chamber has also established a local supplier list aimed at connecting members with local procurement opportunities, and begun work to help businesses become “Olympic ready” ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It continues to hold the contract for the Regional Jobs Committee, delivering the Queensland Government’s workforce strategy locally across tourism and hospitality, construction, emerging industries and technology, and the marine sector.
Health workforce shortages and construction opportunities were identified as two key focus areas during the year.
A health-focused Regional Jobs Committee event brought together specialists, nurses, aged-care providers and health businesses to discuss workforce solutions, while construction work has examined ways to help local subcontractors and small businesses secure work on major projects, scale their operations and create youth employment pathways.
The Chamber also completed a Major Events Plan aimed at attracting and leveraging events that bring visitors into the region and encourage spending in local business areas.
“The aim is not simply to bring more events to Redlands,” Ms Tafolo said.
“We want the right events – the ones that bring people into our region, get them out into our business areas and encourage them to spend locally.”
Ms Tafolo said the work would help position local businesses to benefit from events already scheduled for the region, while building towards the opportunities expected from Brisbane 2032.
She thanked the Chamber’s executive committee, staff, sponsors, subcommittees and members for their contribution during the year.
