FWD›››Future

BREAKFAST›››FWD OPENING

Unlocking your entrepreneurial potential

Hot breakfast included

Join Tania Price, Founder & CEO of Entropolis as we unlock your entrepreneurial potential by leveraging Tania’s 30 years of global corporate and start-up expertise. Tania is on a mission to empower the next generation to become more adaptable, employable, productive and competitive and she is going to translate her experience with youth into a vibrant keynote that will kickstart Forward Fest 24 ‘Thriving in Paradise’. Tania will explore how the world of work is changing and how our businesses must change to adapt to the next gen workforce, as well as inspire you to be a leader of the future – setting your business up for success! Putting theory into practice, BREAKFAST>>>FWD OPENING will also feature a youth panel that will share their experiences, views on the world, and how they are innately driven to make a difference in the world. This high energy breakfast will be the perfect kick-starter, preparing you for three days of mindset shifts and action focused learning.

two-day exhibition

Innovation Showcase

Innovative businesses and support services showcase their ingenuity and share unique solutions. Proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council and Advance Queensland, visit the many displays in the TAFE Forecourt. The innovation showcase is a dynamic platform for local and national companies to showcase their cutting-edge products, services and digital solutions.

FWD›››FUTURE

AI > Challenge V Opportunity

Panel

Join this extraordinary panel as they unpack the opportunities and challenges that AI has brought to our business community and in fact, the world!

BYO Lunch & Learn

Understanding the Small Business Lifecycle and Mindset of Queensland small business

BYO your lunch from onsite FWD vendors

Understanding the Small Business Lifecyle and Mindset of Queensland small business featuring Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb and special guests from local business.

NETWORKING

FWD›››CONNECTOR

Canapes and beverage on arrival included

Proudly brought to you by the Sunshine Coast Tech Industry Alliance (SCTechIA). Whether you have been part of Forward Fest for the whole day, or you wish to join just for the end of day connector event, all are welcome to FWD›››CONNECTOR. This networking event may just be where you meet the person who has the solution to your biggest business problem. Forward Fest is built for collaborative collisions and FWD>>>CONNECTOR is the perfect way to experience just that!

BREAKFAST›››DAY TWO

Breakfast @ Innovation Showcase

Continental Breakfast included

We start day two from 7.30am with a flurry of activity as our Innovation Showcase becomes the star of the day. A continental breakfast will be served on the TAFE deck as FWD delegates visit the many and varied exhibitors in the Innovation Showcase. This is your opportunity to support and learn from many innovators that are in our region, and from afar. Thanks to Sunshine Coast Council and Advance Queensland there will be over 20 exhibitors for you to explore. At 8am, those interested in viewing the ‘Innovation Procurement Pitch at Forward Fest’ will be invited into the TAFE theatre to witness over 10 businesses pitch their product or service to representatives from procurement teams from government and industry.

Innovation Procurement Pitch at Forward Fest

Innovation procurement is emerging as an important lever in state and local government strategies for digital, smart places, sustainability solution research and development and as a key economic growth strategy. Governments and economists are increasingly seeing procurement practices as an opportunity to use the power of government as a customer to drive innovation and value chains by making procurement decisions strategically, rather than simply on the basis of cost. What is innovation procurement? “Innovation procurement” is an approach where a public buyer either buys the process of innovation – such as research and development services for a specific problem or need – or buys the outcome of innovation through a novel or emerging product or service. This fast-paced ‘shark tank’ style pitch session will enable local, emerging tech founders to present to a panel of Sunshine Coast and Queensland procurement professionals in front of a live audience. All founders have been vetted beforehand by a panel from the Queensland Ignite Spark program and identified as being well-positioned to present for this session.

FWD›››FUTURE

Xplor the future of an extended reality

A core session designed to explore the future of XR, AI and VR technologies. Firstly, a representative from Meta will focus on AI and XR technology before Craig Frehlich will explore the real-life impacts for all.

BYO Lunch & Learn

Female Founders

BYO your lunch from onsite FWD vendors

This session will be the perfect inspiration you need to take the leap of faith you have been dreaming of! Increase your chance of success by learning from these incredible women who have lived the founder's life. Hear their successes and their mistakes and walk away ready to level up!

NETWORKING

FWD›››COLLABORATE

Canapes and beverage on arrival included

With national and international businesses joining local organisations on Day 2 of Forward Fest, FWD>>>COLLABORATE is proudly brought to you by UniSC. What better way to mix and mingle with industry groups, government departments, and organisations of all levels on the boardwalk at TAFE sharing learnings from the past two days.