Held at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort & Sunshine Coast Convention Centre
Event Overview
In August 2024, Australia’s leading sporting and leisure goods retailer brought together over 350 of its national store teams, Home Ground support office, and key trade partners for a high-energy annual conference on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Running from 19–23 August, the event was designed to realign business priorities, celebrate success, and energise teams for the new financial year.
The conference was hosted at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, with full buyout of the resort and exclusive use of the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre. This allowed the brand to completely transform the property into a fully immersive environment, delivering an unforgettable delegate experience aligned with their bold and dynamic identity.
Key Highlights
Exclusive Use of the Resort
With exclusive access to the resort, every space—from accommodation to breakout areas—was customised to meet the event’s objectives. The resort’s flexibility meant it could cater to all elements of the program, including keynote presentations, supplier showcases, team-building sessions, awards ceremonies, and casual networking.
Immersive ‘adidas Stadium’ Activation
A standout activation was the ‘adidas stadium’ experience—brought to life through a creative collaboration with KOJO and adidas. The transformation of the event space into a high-energy sports arena-style setup created a strong visual and emotional connection to the retailer’s brand, making a lasting impression on all attendees.
Celebrating Culture & Performance
Throughout the four-day program, individual and team successes were celebrated across a mix of formal dinners and casual gatherings. Awards such as “Safety Store of the Year” and “WA Store Manager of the Year” were presented in elegant yet relaxed settings, reinforcing the sense of community and recognition.
Seamless Collaboration Behind the Scenes
“This conference is always special for us,” said Brooke Te Huia, Sales Manager at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort & Sunshine Coast Convention Centre.
“It’s a brilliant example of what happens when internal event teams, professional conference organisers, production agencies, and AV specialists all work in sync. There’s a real shared vision—and it shows in every detail, from the creative design to the delegate experience. Our venue becomes a blank canvas, and watching it come to life at this level is incredibly rewarding.”
Space to Energise and Engage
The venue’s spacious convention centre and resort grounds offered a perfect blend of structure and flow. From the main plenary stage to informal zones for spontaneous catchups, the environment kept energy levels high and engagement strong throughout.
Accommodation & Amenities
Onsite accommodation allowed delegates to stay connected to the event from start to finish. The balance of comfort, convenience, and access to nature ensured attendees remained refreshed and fully immersed in the experience.
Preferred Venue Status
Following the conference’s success, the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort is now proud to be the preferred venue for this leading national retailer. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and delivering unforgettable brand-aligned event experiences.
Conclusion
The 2024 National Conference showcased what’s possible when a brand is empowered with space, support, and creative freedom. With exclusive use of the resort, a high-impact visual identity, and personalised service throughout, the result was an energising, on-brand experience that inspired teams and left a lasting impression.
For organisations looking to deliver standout events that combine strategy with celebration, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort offers the perfect stage. Whether it’s a full resort buyout or a tailored business retreat, this is where big ideas come to life on the Sunshine Coast.
