RDA Gold Coast

23/10/2026

🛩️From Place to Prosperity: RDA Gold Coast at NEDC26🛩️

Last week, RDA Gold Coast Chair, Nicholas Scott, and CEO, Estella Rodighiero, attended the National Economic Development Australia Conference in Hobart from 13 to 15 October 2026.

Under the theme Place to Prosperity: Innovation, Transition and Investment Attraction, the conference brought together economic development leaders and practitioners from across Australia to exchange ideas and explore opportunities to strengthen regional economies.

Estella was invited to contribute to two key sessions, sharing her insights and experience with fellow industry professionals:
🎤Workforce as Economic Infrastructure: Moderating a discussion exploring workforce capability, SME succession and investment readiness.

🎤The Great Economic Development Debate: Opening for the negative team on the question, “If Amazon called tomorrow, would you say yes?” Estella presented the case against actively recruiting and incentivising major multinational investment.

🏆 Spoiler alert: Estella’s team won the debate!

RDA Gold Coast is proud to be part of these national discussions and looks forward to continuing to work alongside our regional partners and stakeholders to support a strong, resilient and prosperous Gold Coast.

📸Economic Development Australia

22/10/2026

🌱The Sustainable Gold Coast Eco-Series Is Back!🎥

Last Monday, RDA GC CEO, Estella Rodighiero, stepped back into the spotlight as host and interviewer for the second instalment of our Sustainable Gold Coast Eco-Series, this time featuring the incredible team at Currumbin RSL.

With a proud history spanning almost 80 years, Currumbin RSL is much more than a community club. Its commitment to supporting veterans and the wider community goes hand in hand with its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

📅 Coming in early November! The first episode will be released across RDA Gold Coast’s social media platforms and featured in our dedicated Eco-Bulletin.

Subscribe to our e-Bulletin and eco-Bulletin to ensure you don’t miss the launch of episode one ➡️ https://app4.vision6.com.au/em/forms/subscribe.php?db=454576&s=175671&a=78063&k=GtPh6c65_Ap1UCt6i2SlqC_71bqW33t3FJjgtSVnu_s&fbclid=IwY2xjawVGWDFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMWJhU2RzQjhtM0ZhY1NLZlRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeECdmi7O703HaoSI_kOS20dpoFYaSupYpmKVh3pZ8mpkoes0-3yfwndHUAM0_aem_xDr0D9KElTVk8SEZ2IE7Mw

22/10/2026

🌐Gold Coast Small and Family Businesses - curious about which AI tools could actually save you time without putting your client data at risk?🌐

Join the Industry Workforce Advisors for a FREE AI and Cyber workshop to explore practical ways AI can help reduce everyday workloads and simple steps to strengthen your cyber defences.

Event Details:
📆Thursday 5 November
📍TRYP by Wyndham, Southport
🕧12:30-3:30pm
Reserve your spot HERE➡️ https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Ca_clr2qBUeByeo0Z7Wj3875ngH4pTVHthv7UvJNGcRUMENEREVMVkpNTUFPQk1RTzA0MzMwRlNXTy4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl

16/10/2026

👩‍💼What a Morning Celebrating Women in Business!👩‍💼🎉

RDA Gold Coast was delighted to host a table at the 2026 Gold Coast Women in Business Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements, leadership and dedication of women shaping the future of our region.

As an Award Supporter, RDA Gold Coast is proud to recognise the innovation, talent and contributions of women across our local business community. These awards shine a light on the remarkable women driving growth, inspiring change and creating opportunities across the Gold Coast.

Congratulations to our guests on their well-deserved recognition:
🌟Peta Fielding for being the 2026 Diamond Star Honour recipient.

🌟Professor Stefanie Feih, our very own RDA Gold Coast Committee Member, on winning the Innovation, Technology, Advanced Manufacturing & Research Award 2026 category.

🌟Lisa Marsh for being a finalist in the Innovation, Technology, Advanced Manufacturing & Research Award 2026 category.

🌟Leanne Cohens and Judy McLennan for being the Awardees of Merit.

A special thank you to Karen Phillips for organising this wonderful annual event and for her ongoing advocacy for women in business. We also extend our thanks to all our guests for joining us to celebrate the achievements and contributions of these remarkable women.

Here’s to continuing to champion women in business and celebrating the people making a difference across the Gold Coast! 👏💛

14/10/2026

🏆RDA Gold Coast Chair Recognised as a Local Hero🏆

RDA Gold Coast proudly congratulates our Chair, Nick Scott, on receiving the Local Hero Award at the McPherson Honours Awards on Friday, 9 October 2026.

The McPherson Honours recognises outstanding individuals, volunteers, businesses, educators, sporting clubs and community organisations who make the southern Gold Coast such a wonderful place to live.

Through his leadership at RDA Gold Coast and his ongoing commitment to community service, Nick embodies the importance of collaboration, volunteering and local leadership in strengthening our region.

👏We are proud to see Nick’s efforts recognised and congratulate him on this well-deserved honour.

30/09/2026

🛠️Fully Funded Leadership Training for Queensland Manufacturers🛠️

Australian Industry Group, in partnership with Manufacturing Skills Queensland, is offering fully funded leadership training for eligible Queensland manufacturing businesses and employees.

The Supervisor Effectiveness program is designed specifically to support supervisors, leading hands and frontline managers in the manufacturing sector to strengthen their leadership capabilities and improve team and operational performance.

This practical, one-day workshop covers:
🔹 Effective frontline leadership
🔹 Change management
🔹 Continuous improvement
🔹 Team performance
🔹 Operational excellence

Workshop Details
📅Tuesday, 10 November 2026
🕘9.00am – 4.30pm
📍Surf Club Burleigh Heads
🎟️Register: https://www.australianindustrygroup.com.au/store/events/manufacturing-skills-queensland---excellence-series---supervisor-effectiveness10/

This one-day, face-to-face program equips supervisors, leading hands, and frontline managers with the essential leadership, change management, and continuous improvement skills required to drive team performance and operational excellence.   The course is highly practical.

24/09/2026

If Amazon called tomorrow, would you say yes?

RDA Gold Coast CEO, Estella Rodighiero, will take the stage at NEDC26 in Hobart this October for one of the conference’s returning highlights, The Great Economic Development Debate.

The debate will explore a critical question for economic development and investment attraction: should regions actively recruit and incentivise major multinational investment, from headquarters and logistics hubs to major facilities and data centres?

Estella will be arguing the case against.

Expect thoughtful perspectives, competing priorities and a robust discussion exploring the opportunities, risks and trade-offs associated with investment decisions of this scale.

To attend the NEDC26, visit here➡️ https://www.edaconference.com.au/

23/09/2026

🚨𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘: 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗬!🗣️

There’s still time to help shape the future of RDA Gold Coast.
If you’ve worked with or engaged with us, we want to hear from you.

⏰ Survey closes Monday, 5 October at 4.00pm AEST
📝 10–15 minutes could make a difference.

Your feedback will help us understand what’s working, where we can improve, and how we can continue supporting the Gold Coast community, businesses and government.

👉 Complete the survey: https://artdconsultants.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a4eVZ2XH8PcvxpI?fbclid=IwY2xjawUgOZhwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTBmcVRGNkV5dGpaRFNFdjdzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeShVB_P_b7Rzz21J3X-h3MCANIVMX0kvQjGs6ZILIk8HSyo8RYqJDTIRjfpw_aem_HOc8If2NQw4cbL8eU618zg

📢 Don’t miss your chance to have your say. The deadline is fast approaching!

17/09/2026

🗣️Have your say and help shape the future of RDA Gold Coast🗣️

Have you worked with or engaged with RDA Gold Coast? We want to hear from you.

Link➡️ https://artdconsultants.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a4eVZ2XH8PcvxpI

The 2026 RDA Stakeholder Survey closes this coming Monday, 21 September 2026 4.00pm AEST, and we would be grateful if you could take 10 to 15 minutes to share your feedback. ⏰

Your feedback will help us understand what is working well, where we can strengthen our engagement and how we can continue supporting the Gold Coast community, businesses and government. 🤝📝

Your insights will also contribute to the Department of Infrastructure’s understanding of how the RDA program can continue to improve its management and delivery across Australia.

👏If you have already completed the survey, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.

If you haven’t yet participated, we warmly encourage you to have your say before the survey closes.

10/09/2026

🗣️HAVE YOUR SAY - The RDA Stakeholder Survey is closing soon!🗣️

If you haven’t completed it yet, now is the time to make your voice heard.

Your feedback will help shape how RDAs engage with business, community and government stakeholders across the national network.

⏰ DEADLINE: Monday, 21 September, 4.00pm AEST
📝 10–15 minutes could make a difference
👉 Complete the survey now: https://artdconsultants.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a4eVZ2XH8PcvxpI

Don’t miss your chance to have your voice!