Why ‘The Curated Plate’?

Food tourism is growing, and the Sunshine Coast has plenty to offer in this sector.

Hosting an annual food celebration gives our region the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the wide range of quality food and beverages produced on the Sunshine Coast to a national audience, amidst the setting of our unique coastal and hinterland locations.

Across the Sunshine Coast, we will celebrate the contrast between the organic produce and the nature it comes from, through culinary expertise and artistry. 

TCP offers an opportunity for local businesses - big or small, to showcase the region’s food and agri-industry as well as our wide range of tourism offerings. 

Businesses that participated in 2022 have provided some great feedback with the festival offering a new avenue to share their products, produce, venues and more.

What kind of marketing support will I receive as an Industry Partner?

All events will be listed on the website, and be included in the overall campaign to promote food tourism in the Sunshine Coast region. The event will be actively promoted via multiple channels including print, digital and radio, as well as PR opportunities. It is also a condition of participation that Industry Partners promote their own events via owned channels as a minimum, with participation in the program presenting a great opportunity to engage with and grow audiences both locally and outside of the Sunshine Coast region.

Can I run a competition to help generate awareness of my business and its involvement in The Curated Plate, eg. to win tickets to my event?

Yes, you are welcome to promote your event by offering incentive opportunities such as the chance to win tickets. This allows you to grow your database or following, and generate awareness and excitement around your event and The Curated Plate as a whole. Note that the cost of ‘free’ tickets or prizes is your responsibility to cover, and should be considered in your overall event budget. Please ensure that you have the appropriate terms and conditions in place for any promotions.

Can people purchase tickets via The Curated Plate website?

All Industry Partner's will use Humantix as their ticketing platform so their events can be featured on the event program. You are responsible for your own ticketing, which means that you must provide a link on your listing on the The Curated Plate website that will take visitors through to purchase tickets on Humantix. This is not required until March. The Cuarted Plate team will assist in guiding Industry Partners on using and setting up Humantix. 

My event is free – can I still participate?

Yes!, however you must make this clear on your event listing on the website. You will also still be required to set up ticketing via Humantix so your event can feature in the program online, and you will still be required to provide the festival with information about your audience and number of attendees. If you have a prevision of tickets for 'walk in', you will be able to collect your attendee information via displaying a QR Code at the entrance to your venue to assist with post-event analysis and future planning.

What can I ask for assistance with?

A dedicated co-ordinator is available to discuss your event – the timing, format etc, and also suggest possible partners and collaborators. Please enquire with a concept in mind! Get in touch with The Curated Plate Program Co-ordinator, Zoë Sparks at - thecuratedplate@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

All events will be promoted on the event website. The Curated Plate will be supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign promoting the full program.

Why do you need to know how many attended my event and their postcodes?

This data is vital to understanding our audiences and assists with post-event reporting and future planning.

Why do Industry Partners need to complete the intermittent surveys in June and July?

These will be a very short survey to gauge how Industry Partners are going with the planning of events and if there is any assistance required. It also provides a good indication of how ticket sales are going, and how we will shape the remainder of the event’s marketing campaign. When your event is sold-out, we need to ensure it is listed as such on the website and review any targeted marketing planned.

I already do farm tours and open days – how else can I be involved?

Applicants may wish to propose a special offer, entertainment, tastings, small gift with purchase – something that makes your offering a bit more unique and creative in celebrating all-things Sunshine Coast as part of The Curated Plate.

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For all enquiries contact Program Co-ordinator Zoe Sparks zsparks@spectacularevents.com.au.