Forward Fest Impact Report 2023

Impact Report

Presented by: Supported by:

Executive Summary

Presented by Craig ‘CJ’ Josic, Co-Founder of Silicon Coast

Forward Fest 2023, held on the Sunshine Coast on the 2nd and 3rd of August, was a landmark event marked by its resilience in the face of significant challenges. Despite these challenges, the festival not only prevailed but also celebrated significant achievements, underlining the community’s capacity for innovation and teamwork.

Challenges and Triumphs: The transition to a new event system, alongside financial constraints, initially posed a significant challenge. However, through innovative solutions and strong teamwork, Forward Fest 2023 successfully overcame these adversities, setting a precedent for future events.

Marketing Innovation and Impact: The festival’s marketing strategy effectively leveraged radio, print, and digital platforms, culminating in notable media coverage, including a feature on the front cover of My Weekly Preview. This strategy led to substantial organic engagement and elevated the profile of both Sunshine Coast and Silicon Coast at the state government level.

Diversity and Engagement: Forward Fest 2023 attracted 780 unique guests, showcasing over 100 diverse speakers, including both local and international talents. The integration of the Sunshine Coast Council’s “Thriving Through Change Expo” into the festival underscored the event’s commitment to diversity and innovation.

Achievements and Areas for Improvement: The festival facilitated connections between individuals unlikely to meet otherwise, enhancing the Sunshine Coast brand and fostering long-term conversations. Despite its success, there is room for improvement in areas such as role definition, program planning, budgetary planning, marketing, evaluation metrics, and system efficiencies.

Legacy and Impact: Forward Fest 2023 has become an indelible part of the Sunshine Coast’s history, embodying innovation, collaboration, and perseverance.

Future Prospects: With Forward Fest 2024 and 2025 secured under Advance Queensland, there’s an optimistic outlook for continued innovation and regional competitiveness. This commitment ensures the festival’s legacy and impact will resonate through the Sunshine Coast, fostering a spirit of innovation and community cohesion.

Conclusion: Forward Fest 2023 stands as a testament to overcoming adversity through resilience, innovation, and community cohesion. As we embark on the journey toward Forward Fest 2024, we remain committed to turning challenges into stepping stones for greatness, fostering a spirit of progress and transformative impact in Queensland. We extend our gratitude to Sunshinne Coast Council and our partners and look forward to continued collaboration in shaping a brighter future for the Sunshine Coast community.

4

110

32 Sessions

780

27 Partners

199

217

317+

60+

81

1500+

85

“When I first met CJ and heard the vision about the coast becoming like the Silicon Valley, the Silicon Coast of Australia, I loved it... There are businesses and innovators here who are batting above their weight globally with their ideas and the innovation.”

Daniel Flynn, CO-FOUNDER of THANK YOU

Attendees had the opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals, also offered masterclasses on AI & Facebook, & keynote sessions with renowned speakers like Daniel Flynn & Chris Riddell.

110

32 Speakers Sessions

Event, activation, project

Forward Fest, emerged as a transformative platform, offering a plethora of sessions, networking opportunities, & insights, setting a benchmark for future business festivals.

Advance Queensland investment

The Advance Queensland investment ensured the successful execution of the event, facilitating high-quality sessions, attracting a diverse audience & amplifying the event to wide audience.

“Connect with like-minded people to make big things happen.”

Feda Adra Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer of Mettlesome

“Seeing Forward Fest evolve and really push the community in and around this space forward and bring the inspiration is just awesome to be a part of”

Ben Johnson, Founder of Flower Group

Forward Fest 2023 is a transformative business

festival that serves as a platform for business owners, entrepreneurs, researchers, teachers, & students to come together.

The festival focuses on upskilling in 5 areas:

01. Innovation

04. Marketing

02. Technology

03. Customer Experience

05. Future Skills

It offers a variety of sessions, including keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, & networking opportunities. This year, the festival incorporated the “Thriving Through Change Expo.”

“It’s so impressive to see the work that Silicon Coast is doing to put on a community based event up here on the Sunshine Coast.”

“forward fest, It’s people getting together, looking at how to grow the region and looking where opportunity is.”

wayne gerard, Operating Partner at QIC and previous Queensland Chief Entrepreneur

Chris Riddell, futurist

“The stories that I’m loving from Forward Fest is where people are meeting each other, and that’s just the right person that they needed for their next step in their business.”

Min SWAN, Founder of WHI and President of the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network

Quantitative Impact

Contributions: Advance Queensland provided both financial and in-kind support, including funding, resources, and promotional assistance. Partners also contributed through cash, capital, pro-bono work, and ticket sales.

Return on Investment: The ROI was significant, with the event not only turning a profit but also establishing itself as a landmark event on the Sunshine Coast. The exact percentage or dollar amount would need to be calculated based on the total investment and returns.

Participants: The event witnessed 780 unique attendees over two days, with a total of 1,200 participants. This included a diverse range of stakeholders from various industries.

Reach: The event had a broad reach, with participants coming from various locations. It also leveraged media exposure through radio, print, and digital platforms, further expanding its reach.

Impact Metrics: Several impact stories emerged from the event, showcasing its success and influence. Survey results would provide more detailed insights into the event’s impact.

Industry Priorities: The event aligned with government priorities, focusing on innovation, technology, and business growth. It also catered to various industries, from manufacturing to digital marketing.

780 unique attendees over two days, with a total of 1200 participants

“I think it’s really important that we can support organisations like Silicon Coast beyond an event. It shows the dedication and the fact that the Government and Advance Queensland are willing to come to the table and work with regional organisations like Silicon Coast.”

Julia Spicer, Queensland chief entrepreneur

Forward Fest 2023 bridged critical barriers, igniting transformative conversations, fostering business opportunities, enhancing skills, & showcasing innovative strategies, thereby empowering both the event’s stature & its diverse audience.

The opportunity will Unlock and Empower

Event, activation, project: Forward Fest 2023, in its essence, was a beacon of innovation and resilience. Despite facing challenges such as funding uncertainties and leadership changes, the event emerged as a transformative platform, unlocking new avenues of business growth and collaboration. The integration of the “Thriving Through Change Expo” showcased the festival’s adaptability, addressing barriers of change management and business evolution. The event also fostered conversations of consequence, with sessions revolving around pivotal themes like innovation, technology, and the future of business. The presence of over 100 expert speakers and the diverse range of sessions ensured that innovation was not just discussed but also demonstrated and developed throughout the festival.

The keynotes, especially from visionaries like Daniel Flynn, Chris Riddell & Spot the robot

Audience: Forward Fest 2023 was an empowering experience. Addressed barriers by providing practical skills and insights, enabling businesses to adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape. Attendees were privy to invaluable conversations, with sessions sparking discussions on the latest in technology, marketing, and customer experience. The event also facilitated business opportunities and leads, with networking sessions fostering collaborations and partnerships. The keynotes, especially from visionaries like Daniel Flynn and Chris Riddell, further empowered the audience, encouraging them to reimagine their businesses and prepare for a future. The festival’s organic engagement and the resonant messages it delivered underscored its profound impact on the audience, inspiring them to innovate, collaborate, and thrive.

LEGacy

The success of Forward Fest has set the stage for future events, with Forward Fest 2024 & 2025 already secured under AQ. The event’s legacy is evident in its ability to drive business growth, foster innovation, and promote community cohesion. The long-term impact includes potential business collaborations, increased investments, and the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem on the Sunshine Coast. Tracking legacy would involve monitoring the growth & success of participating businesses, and attendees, The event’s success serves as a call to action for businesses to innovate, collaborate, and thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

“The importance of Forward Fest lies in its ability to foster human connections in an era where technology is everywhere. It’s about bringing people together to explore the potential of our region.”

CRAIG ‘CJ’ JOSIC CO-FOUNDER of silicon coast

Will Shrapnel, Founder of Helimods

“These events create more conversations that lead to more ideas that then, you know, scale our region’s capability and capacity in the innovation ecosystem.”

“Sunshine Coast Council Congratulated Silicon Coast for the key role they played in fostering innovation and delivering a successful event now in its second year. ”

Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson

Relive the magic of Forward Fest click on the QRCode and watch the “Forward Fest Rewind 2023” video. It’s a celebration of the remarkable people, inspiring speakers, and memorable moments that defined Forward Fest 2023! WWW.FORWARDFEST.CO

Advance Queensland Sunshine Coast targets

Contribution to Long-term outcomes

Thriving and resilient ecosystems

Pervasive system and solutions

Reinforce culture of collaboration

Strong reputation and multi-level capability

Advanced Queensland & Sunshine Coast Economy Roadmap alignment

Capital

Attraction

Innovation

precincts & places

Talent, skills & new tech

Sustained regional-led growth

Innovative & sustainable solutions