Annual General Meeting 2025

Zoe Sparks

Zoe Sparks has been firmly entrenched in events, tourism and events throughout her career and has resided primarily on the Sunshine Coast since 1988. Since 2000, Zoe has run her event management company and travel agencies here on the Sunshine Coast, and was contracted as the Jetset Travelworld’s Group Conference Manager (now helloworld) for 19 years, building extensive networks and contacts in the industry she loves.

In recent years, Spectacular Events has really come of age in the events and festival space, and Zoe has worked on events such as The Curated Plate, Horizon Festival and REMIX Conference Sunshine Coast in region, and major events out of region such as Beef Australia 2024.

Zoe’s business, Spectacular Events Pty Ltd also t/a Spectacular World Travel was inducted into the Sunshine Coast Business Awards’ Hall of Fame in 2005. Zoë herself has been recognised as a 2017 IML Owner / Entrepreneur Leader Regional Finalist, a two-time Telstra Business Women’s Qld Finalist and a former Sunshine Coast Outstanding Business Woman of the Year. Zoe has also held a number of Board and committee positions and is a GAICD.

In addition to VSC she is currently the Co-Lead of the Business & Tourism Committee for Sunshine Coast 2032, and serves as a Judge for the Queensland Tourism Award, Telstra Business Women’s Awards and Sunshine Coast Business Awards. Zoe is passionate about ‘supporting local’ wherever possible and helping others to excel in her dynamic tourism industry and local Sunshine Coast business community.

Josh Donohoe

Josh is a passionate advocate for tourism in the Sunshine Coast region and currently runs a tourism consulting business and destination management company. Over the past 10 years Josh founded, scaled and sold Creative Tours, an award-winning business recognised for showcasing the region’s best food, drink and agritourism experiences.

With a strong background in leadership, strategy, and collaboration, Josh brings a solid understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing local tourism operators, hospitality and agritourism businesses.

Throughout his career, he has successfully led community engagement initiatives that strengthen regional partnerships, support local producers and drive sustainable economic growth.

Josh is an active member of multiple tourism organisations, local community groups and current Director on the Visit Sunshine Coast board. He regularly represents the Sunshine Coast at various industry events, volunteers as a tourism industry mentor and judges for the Queensland Tourism Awards.

With a proven track record of building partnerships and driving sustainable regional outcomes, Josh brings both strategic insight and hands-on experience to the table. He’s passionate about supporting local operators and believes collaboration is the foundation of long-term tourism success on the Sunshine Coast.

Clive Pickering

• I’m a Royal Navy Veteran who served during the 1982 Falklands Conflict aboard HMS Broadsword. That experience shaped my lifelong outlook on teamwork, resilience, and service under pressure.
• Hospitality entrepreneur — former owner of a 200‑seat café‑restaurant in Perth; winner, Restaurant & Caterers Association “Café of the Year” (WA), 2019.
• Currently Resident in‑house Manager & Caretaker, Pumicestone Blue, Caloundra — hands‑on operations, guest experience, owner relations and asset uplift.
• Elected Committee Member, Caloundra Chamber of Commerce — active community advocate and collaborator.

What I’ll Bring to the VSC Board

• Financial acumen: Experience in Multi‑unit budgets, willingness to embrace new technologies.
• Community engagement: ‘Vertical Village’ ethos at Pumicestone Blue; rooftop and local‑business activations. Charity and community participation through ‘Containers for Change’ saving over 30,000 bottles and cans from landfill to date.

Commitment & Governance

• Ready to serve on Audit & Risk, People & Culture or Digital Committee.
• Committed to transparent, best‑practice governance and measurable outcomes.

Why I’m Standing

I will bring a practical operator’s lens to Board decision‑making — balancing sustainable growth, high‑quality visitor experiences and strong returns for the Sunshine Coast’s visitor economy. As a Veteran and small business owner, I’m outcomes‑focused, collaborative and unafraid to roll up my sleeves for the region I now proudly call home.

Caloundra has welcomed us wholeheartedly. I’m passionate about giving back by representing its operators, promoting the Sunshine Coast brand, and helping ensure our region continues to thrive as a world‑class, welcoming and resilient destination.

Tanya Alison

Tanya Alison brings extensive experience in tourism, agribusiness and stakeholder engagement across the Sunshine Coast region. As Marketing and Customer Experience Manager at Maleny Cheese, a member of Visit Sunshine Coast Hinterland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council(QTIC), Tanya leads initiatives that enhance visitor experiences, drive regional tourism and showcase local produce, drawing on expertise in digital marketing, social media and customer engagement.

Prior to Maleny Cheese, Tanya was a Senior Leader at Maleny Dairies, also a Visit Sunshine Coast member, where she oversaw agritourism initiatives, product development and customer experience. This role strengthened connections between regional producers and tourism operators—including accommodation providers and attractions—supporting sustainable business growth while promoting the Sunshine Coast’s local produce and experiences.

With a Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management, Tanya combines academic expertise with practical experience in delivering high-impact tourism projects. She has been involved with the Food and Agribusiness Network for 9 years and, prior to COVID, worked as Project Manager with the Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance, overseeing major regional projects and fostering collaboration to optimise economic benefits. She also brings strong financial acumen, having managed multiple budgets, in her roles with Maleny Dairies and the Queensland Government.Tanya maintains strong tourism industry and local government networks, as well as community and stakeholder relationships, ensuring her work is informed by collaboration and insight. In November, Tanya will represent the Sunshine Coast region at the 2025 International World Cheese Awards< in Switzerland, highlighting her commitment to promoting regional excellence globally.