Forward Fest 2 - 3 August 2023

2-3 AUGUST 2023 FULL PROGRAM

AbouttheForwardFestival

Forward (FWD) Fest is a transformative business festival organised by Silicon Coast, a local nonprofit, in partnership with Advance Queensland | Queensland Government, Sunshine Coast Council, Dataminr, CSIRO,QueenslandInvestmentCorporation(QIC),Data#3,DESBT,localChambersandIndustryGroups

ThankyouforsupportingForwardFestandpleasefindbelowkeyinformationonhowtogettoVenue114and aboutthetwo-dayfestivalwhichfeaturesmorethan90expertspeakersandover25industrygroups,thatwill provideawealthofknowledgeandexpertise.

Forward Fest also incorporates Thriving Through Change, highlighting to the Sunshine Coast business communitytheexpansivenetworkofsupportavailabletohelpbuildresilienceandopportunitiesforgrowth.

FWD>>>EXPO&InnovationShowcase

The two day expo brings together innovative startups and established businesses to showcase their products,services,andideas.

Withinteractivedisplays,engagingpresentations,andnetworkingopportunities,FWD>>EXPOservesasa catalystforcollaboration,inspiration,andgrowth,empoweringentrepreneurstoconnect,thrive,andmake alastingimpact.

Needtoknow:Withtheexceptionofthebreakfastandthe eveningnetworkingevents,foodisnotincludedinthe ticketprice.Foodanddrinkswillbeavailableforpurchaseon-site.

ParkingatVenue114

Thereislimitedoff-streetparkingavailableinapubliccarpark adjacenttoVenue114andampleon-streetparking However, withtheKawanaAquaticsCentre,KawanaStateCollege,Lake KawanaandSunshineCoastStadiumincloseproximity,parking canbeinshortsupplyatanygiventime.Carparkingisfree, however,ensureyoucheckCouncilsignageonthesurrounding streetsfortimelimitsorparkingrestrictions.

Pleasefindbelowalltheinformationyouneedaboutspeakersandsessionstimes. IfyouhavequestionspleaseemailForwardFest@siliconcoast.org.auorvisitforwardfest.co

SiliconCoastandpartnerspaysourdeepestrespecttotheTraditionalCustodiansofthiscountry;theKabiKabiandJinibara peoplesofthecoastalplainsandhinterlandsoftheSunshineCoast,aswehonorthemastheoriginalstorytellers,innovators, andcustodiansofthisland,embracingtheirwisdomtoinnovatewhilerespectingthesacredgroundonwhichittakesplace

7:00AM

DAYONE-MORNING

WEDNESDAY 2 AUGUST

BREAKFWD >>

BroughttoyoubytheDepartmentofEmployment,SmallBusinessandTraining

EMCEE: Julia Spicer, Queensland Chief Entrepreneur

Speakers: Mayor Mark Jamieson, Sunshine Coast Council

Tracey Gosling, Director (APAC), Dataminr

Craig "CJ" Josic, Co-Founder, Silicon Coast

Keynote: Daniel Flynn, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Thankyou

FWD >> EXPO & INNOVATION SHOWCASE

The two day expo brings together innovative startups and established businesses to showcase their products, services, and ideas.

The EXPO is free of charge for all attendees and guests

FWD >> ACCELERATE

FWD >> SME

FWD >> BUSINESS 32

9:30AM

9:00AM4:30PM 10:45AM

10:30AM 11:45AM

'Scaling your Business - if it was easy everyone would do it'

Speaker: Will Schrapnel, Helimods

''The RedEye story: a Case Study - from startup to significance'

Speaker: Wayne Gerard, Former CEO & Co-Founder, RedEye

'Smart Business in a Smart City - think different for a smarter future'

PanelModerator: Brendan Bathersby, Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce

Speakers:

Peter Saba, Walker Corporation

Amanda Yeates, SunCentral

Michael Whereat, Sunshine Coast Council

Brett Mills, Ken Mills Toyota

Richard Turnbull, SC Tech Industry Alliance

FWD >> ACCELERATE

'Collaboration for Success - turning visionary ideas into actionable plans'

Speakers: Feda Adra, Spur

Trisha Rwagaju, We are the Movement

FWD >> SME

'Demystifying Cyber Security - the threat is real'

PanelModerator: Tracey Gosling, Dataminr

Speakers: Angela Lisle, TAFE Qld

Lachie Smart, Smartline Medical

FWD >> THINKING FWD >> BUSINESS 32

'Think like an Award Winner - your business depends on it'

PanelModerator: Jennifer Swaine, Sunshine Coast Business Awards

Speakers: Adam Cheshire, AmazeWorld

Brigid Woolnough, Kokopod

'Mental Wellnessbeing better in business'

Speakers: Emerald Well-being Program, Caloundra Chamber of Commerce

Feeling Better in Business Program, Coolum Business & Tourism

PM

DAYONE-AFTERNOON

WEDNESDAY 2 AUGUST

FWD >> ACCELERATE

BYO LUNCH PANEL'How AI impacts YOUR industry'

PanelModerator: Chris Boden, Peregian Digital Hub

Speaker: Representative of Queensland AI Hub Representative from Coding from Beach

This session includes a comprehensive Q&A that will allow you to ask all of your AI questions!

FWD >> ACCELERATE

'Accelerating your business future'

PanelModerator: Simon Kaplan, SC Tech Industry Alliance & Silicon Coast Speakers: Panel to be announced

'Marketing & Strategy - standing out in the crowd'

PanelModerator: 4556 Chamber

Speakers: Lizzie Henebery, The Organised Creative Ellie DeGreaves, Go for Zero

DrJacqueline Burgess, School of Business & Creative Industries UniSC

FWD >> BUSINESS 32

BYO LUNCH PANELthe time to get ready for the future is now!'

PanelModerator:Owen Bowling, Coach Welly

Speakers:

Elia Hill, Director of Sports Technology, Queensland Government

Grantley Switzer, Sunshine Coast Council

Jennifer Swaine, Sunshine Coast 2032

Bryton Wishart, Vinti Tech & Silicon Coast Megyn Carpenter, Cleantech Industries SC Kris Carver, ENTAG

FWD >> THINKING

'Advancing Queensland - how it impacts your organisation'

Speaker: Jacqueline Steel, Director Regional Engagement, Innovation Engagement and Delivery, Advance Queensland

FWD >> BUSINESS 32

'Exporting - the opportunity is real'

PanelModerator: Kim McCosker, 4ingredients

Speakers: Jacqueline Cartwright, Silver Sea Seafoods Peter Condoleon, Greaseboss

Tim Eldridge, Advanced Aquarium Technologies

Mick Fielding, RAIDER Targetry

FWD >> ACCELERATE

An exciting announcement to come soon

FWD >> SME

Talent Attraction & Development

Speaker: Adelaide Renee Coman, Stanford University & Silicon Coast

TECHCONNECT

FWD >> THINKING FWD >> BUSINESS 32

FOUNDERSONLY SESSION

Speaker: WayneGerard, OperatingPartnerfor QueenslandInvestment Corporation(QIC)

'The Future is NowChange, Challenge and Disrupt for Success'

Keynote:

Liam Mayo, Futurist and Change Strategy Specialist

The Sunshine Coast Tech Industry Alliance (SCTechIA) invites you to join them for networking, beverages and nibbles to celebrate the first day of Forward Fest -anditisonthem!

FWD >> SME

DAYTWO-MORNING

ALL DAY

FWD >> EXPO & INNOVATION SHOWCASE

The two day expo brings together innovative startups and established businesses to showcase their products, services, and ideas.

9:00AM

FWD >> NETWORKING

Come and join the Manufacturing Excellence Forum (MEFSC) as they exhibit the latest in advancements, robotics and engineering in the FWD>>COURTYARD. All welcome and an excellent opportunity to bring school students and the future of manufacturing to meet industry leaders and innovators

9:30AM

9:45AM

FWD >> ACCELERATE

'Technology for Sustainability'

Speaker: Jan Oostendurp, Kilcoy Global Foods

THURSDAY 3 AUGUST 10:30 AM 10:45 AM

'The Reverse Vending Machine Concept'

Speakers:

Julien Craeye, Ecoboxtec

Scott Hansen & Vince Adrait, Corematic

FWD >> SME

'The power of regional entrepreneurship'

Keynote:

Julia Spicer, Queensland Chief Entrepreneur

FollowedbyapanelmoderatedbyJulia

Spicer:

Elana Morrow, Accessibility, Sensory needs + Inclusivity Index

Jordan Josic, Silicon Coast Youth Ambassador & Start-up Weekend Facilitator

Brad Chesham, Bundle of Rays

Rob Steffler, Delorean Project & Silicon Coast

This session includes a Q&A on how to get involved in the Silicon Coast StartUp Weekend

FWD>> VENTURE SCIENCE

MINIHACK-A-THON

Theme: food loss, food waste and feeding the planet

Are you interested in food loss, food waste and feeding the planet?

These are wicked problems to solve. If you are interested in experimenting with solutions, come to our mini hackathon!

'The never-ending pursuit of a happy and productive team'

PanelModerator:

Hamish Procter, Kawana Chamber of Commerce

Speakers:

Bevan Gibbs, Kilcoy Global Foods

Dirk Britz, ComLink Australia

Alister Eiseman, Pacific Motorgroup

'Raising capital for growth'

PanelModerator:

Sarah Morgan

Speakers: Georgia Barkell, Sprint Ventures

Shahirah Gardner, Skalata Ventures

Steve Barnes, SunCoast Angels

This session includes a comprehensive Q&A that will allow you to ask all of your capital & investment questions!

11:45 AM

Facilitator: Dean Alle, CSIRO

This session is interactive and designed to find viable solutions to this world wide problem - imagine being part of the solution!

PM

DAYTWO-AFTERNOON

FWD>> VENTURE SCIENCE

'Manufacturing in Action'

>> Converting IC to EV

Speaker: Noah Wasmer, Roev

>>Listening for waterpipe leaks

Speaker: Sara Richardson, Leakstar

BYO LUNCH PANEL'Female Founders - how do they do it!'

PanelModerators: Min Swan & Lizzie Henebery, Sunshine Coast Business Women's Network

Speakers: Naomi Elliott, Concept Labs

Brooke Fenwick, Fenwick Collective

SpecialGuest: Julia Spicer, Queensland Chief Entrepreneur

BYO LUNCH PANEL'Collaboration Lives

Here - taking it to the world'

PanelModerator: Craig 'CJ' Josic, Silicon Coast

Speakers:

Adelaide Coman, Stanford University & Silicon Coast

Jasmine Vreugdenburg, UniSC Innovation Centre

Wayne Gerard, QIC

Dominic Vroliks, MKRS

Peter Laurie, Junta

MOCKDUEDILIGENCE

Have you ever wondered what actually goes on in a serious due diligence discussion Come behind closed doors and see a founder and investors work through the issues with our mock due diligence

Facilitator:

Dean Alle, CSIRO

Speakers:

Anna Tao, CSIRO

Siobhan Coster, CSIRO

Simon Horne, Angel Loop

Gavin Keeley, Flower Group

Mark Gustowski & Philippe Cuelen, Mandalay Ventures

FWD>> VENTURE SCIENCE

MOCKEQUITYAUCTION

'Manufacturing Q&A'

PanelModerator: Tim Kelly, MEFSC

Speakers:

Noah Wasmer, Roev

Sara Richardson, Leakstar

Julien Craeye, Ecoboxtec

Aspire Representative

Exciting announcement coming soon

Property prices have gone up, but guess what, there something is still you can still invest in – a startup! Come along to our mock auction and act like a true investor!

Facilitators:

Dean Alle, CSIRO

Anna Tao, CSIRO

Siobhan Coster, CSIRO

This session is interactive and designed to give entrepreneurs a real life experience of a capital pitch in front of a live audience - YOU!

DAYTWO-AFTERNOON

3:00PM ONWARDS

THRIVING THROUGH CHANGE EXPO & INNOVATION SHOWCASE

Arrive ahead of the Thriving Through Change Masterclass to checkin for the Masterclass, receive your lanyard or name tag, grab a coffee and enjoy the expo

The Thriving Through Change Business Resilience Expo, Masterclasses and Keynote is brought to you by Sunshine Coast Council, in conjunction with the Forward Fest event.

MASTERCLASS - Beyond Facebook and Instagram

Speakers: MattTraversandJessVick

SunnyDigital

What does digital marketing look like in 2023? Find out which growing social media and digital platforms are reaching audiences and fuelling engagement. Learn common mistakes businesses make in their digital marketing and how to avoid them Gather some tips and tricks that will help your ads become more efficient and give you better value on your spend.

MASTERCLASS - AI Tools for Small Business

Speaker: DrKarenSutherland

SFHEASeniorLecturerUniSC

This targeted masterclass will show you why AI tools are something to harness for your business, not avoid. AI creates endless opportunities for businesses to help improve efficiencies and innovate Learn tools and strategies from our expert facilitator that can be easily implemented into your business.

EXPO HOUR! - THRIVING THROUGH CHANGE EXPO & INNOVATION SHOWCASE

The Business Resilience Expo is like placing all of the tools and contacts your business in the one room for ease of access and information Reduce hours of time by visiting this expo and WINPRIZES INEXPOHOUR!

BUSINESS BEYOND 2030

KeynoteSpeaker: Chris Riddell, Award winning futurist

It’s never too soon to prepare your business for the world tomorrow The speed of change we’re experiencing is altering every facet of our lives – and this dramatically different world requires a shift in thinking and a fresh perspective on business, on leadership and on our global community. Chris will speak of preparing your business for this new world by immersing your business and teams in the critical factors that have the power to affect how you do business today and how you evolve and thrive towards the future.

NETWORKING EVENT

THURSDAY 3 AUGUST 3:30 PM 4:30 PM 5:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:00 PM

A networking event not to be missed.

Join us for the business resilience networking event, an evening of connection and collaboration with exhibitors offering tailored support services for your business Engage with other Sunshine Coast local businesses, access support and resources from valuable government agencies, expand your network and unlock opportunities for your business resilience and growth

FWD >> EXPO & INNOVATION SHOWCASE

The two day expo brings together innovative startups and established businesses to showcase their products, services, and ideas

This is your last chance to visit the expo and be surprised by the collaborative collisions that just may occur!