As we hit the halfway mark of 2026, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what has honestly been a cracking first six months for our Chamber, and share a bit of a look ahead at what’s coming.

But first, a brief word about January.

Coming off the back of what was a really tough year for a lot of businesses in 2025, we noticed January was a slower start than usual. And honestly, that was no surprise. Business owners needed a bit of breathing room, a chance to recharge and find their footing again before stepping back into full stride. Our Chamber felt that too. But from February onwards, the energy well and truly returned, and what followed has been one of the most active and rewarding periods in Greater Springfield. 

Here’s a look at what your Chamber has been up to.

Events

International Women’s Day, March

In March we had the absolute honour of hosting Jelena Dokic as our keynote speaker for International Women’s Day. To say she captivated the room would be an understatement. Jelena’s story of resilience, courage, and finding her self-worth genuinely moved our attendees. It was one of those events that stays with you well after you’ve headed home. We are so proud to have brought an experience like that to the Springfield business community.

Behind the Scenes at Mater Hospital, April

In April we gave our members an exclusive behind the scenes look at the new Mater Hospital before it opened its doors. This was a really special moment for our Chamber. We have long advocated for this facility in our community, so to actually stand inside it and see what had been built for the people of Springfield and the surrounding areas was genuinely moving. Our members were among the very first to experience it.

Grand Opening of Mater Hospital, May

The following month we attended the official grand opening of the Mater Hospital to celebrate this incredible milestone alongside the broader community leaders. This is exactly the kind of outcome our advocacy work is all about. You push for the infrastructure and services your community deserves, and then you get to turn up and celebrate when it actually happens.

Monthly Business After Hours and Coffee Catch-Ups

Our regular Business After Hours and Coffee Catch-Up events have continued to bring our business community together, with solid attendance and some really great guest speakers along the way. We’ve heard from:

• McNamara Law on Commercial Leasing
• BizGuard on AI and Cyber Security
• Purple Bunny Marketing on Social Media Marketing

We also spent a great evening at Creative Hearts Co, where we put down the business cards and just enjoyed a night of creativity and good company. A good reminder that some of the best connections happen when you stop trying to network and just have a good time.

AI Workshop with Tracy Sheen, May

One of the real highlights of the first half of the year was our AI Workshop, delivered by the fantastic Tracy Sheen from The Digital Guide. We had over 30 members through the door and the feedback was outstanding.

A big thank you to the Queensland Government for their support in making this training available to our members. We are already planning to deliver more sessions like this one. As AI continues to change the way we do business, making sure our local businesses have the knowledge and confidence to keep up is something we take seriously. More to come on that soon.

Sponsors and Partners

We are really excited to have welcomed two new partners to the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce this year, two businesses that are already contributing meaningfully to our region.

GOA Billboards

A big welcome to GOA Billboards, who have given our Chamber the opportunity to showcase our community across their digital billboard network. But the part our members will love even more is this: every quarter, one of our businesses will have the chance to WIN a week-long spot on the GOA billboard display.

For a community where over 60% of our members are micro and small businesses, that kind of exposure is a big deal. GOA has also come on board as a sponsor of our Media and IT Award at this year’s Business Awards. We are really glad to have them involved.

Llewellyn Motors

We also welcome Llewellyn Motors, a business that has been part of the Ipswich community for over 35 years and is soon to open a brand new dealership right here in Springfield.

Llewellyn Motors have already been incredibly generous to our members, donating lucky door prizes including free car servicing and hot lap experiences at Queensland Raceway. They have also joined as a sponsor of our brand new Emerging Business Award, which recognises the up and coming businesses making their mark in our region. Thrilled to have them as part of the Chamber family.

Advocating for Our Community

Advocacy is one of the most important things your Chamber does. It is about making sure our business community has a voice on the issues that affect how we operate, grow, and get on with it.

A big focus for us in recent months has been the Centenary Highway, and in particular Exits 31, 32, and 33, which are simply no longer able to handle the traffic demands of our growing community. And this is not just a Springfield problem. The impact flows through to White Rock, Redbank Plains, Ripley, South Ripley, Deebing Heights, and Yamanto as well.

Through this process we also identified that the bridge crossing the Centenary Highway between Sinnathamby Boulevard and Augusta Parkway needs upgrading, and that it is actually a key bottleneck holding up the broader highway development. With Brighton Homes Arena identified as a potential venue for 2032 Olympic events, getting this road infrastructure sorted is not just a local priority; it is a regional and national one.

Your Chamber committee has been actively engaging all levels of government on this. We have met with Council, Mayor Teresa Harding, Councillor Nicole Jonic, and Paul Tully. We have also met with Charis Mullen, the State Member for Jordan, and have reached out to the office of Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg, to make sure this upgrade stays front of mind for decision makers. We will keep pushing and will keep our members updated as things progress.

Our Strategic Direction

As a committee we have spent the first half of 2026 doing some really important thinking about the Chamber’s strategic direction, where we are headed, who we are here for, and what we want to achieve.

2027 is a big year for us. The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce turns 20. That is worth celebrating, but it is also a great opportunity to go into that milestone with a clear sense of purpose and ambition.

Over the coming months we will be sharing more detail on our priorities, but in short, our focus areas are:

• Member Growth, with a real focus on expanding our membership base and making membership genuinely valuable for businesses at every stage. 
• Member Engagement and Retention, delivering more targeted events and training that actually help your business grow in our region
• Advocacy, with a particular focus on helping our businesses understand and take advantage of opportunities connected to the 2032 Olympic Games
• Community and Future Impact, including launching a Youth Chamber program and building a stronger partnership with the Springfield Regional Jobs Committee to help develop the next generation of skilled workers for our workforce

We are genuinely excited about what is coming. Stay tuned.

Changes in Our Committee

Our committee is made up of people who give their time, expertise, and energy because they believe in this community. This year we have said some heartfelt goodbyes and welcomed some great new faces.

Kath Manby from VM Family Law stepped down from the committee earlier this year after many years of dedicated service, including her time as our Secretary. Kath gave a huge amount to this Chamber and we wish her all the best as she focuses on her business and family. Thank you, Kath.

We are very pleased to welcome Louise Wilson, Director at Strategic 360, as our new committee Secretary. Louise has already brought a wealth of knowledge and energy to the role and we are glad to have her on board.

We also want to properly acknowledge Rebekah Sanfuentes, who stepped down from the committee in mid June. Rebekah has been a cornerstone of this Chamber for years, serving as a committee member, as a Vice President, as MC at countless events, and as someone who would always show up early to help set up and stay late to make sure everything ran smoothly. She is stepping back to focus on her family and on the continued growth of McNamara Law, which has just opened a Brisbane office. Congratulations to Rebekah and the team at McNamara Law. We will still see her at Chamber events and she will no doubt still be up on the mic from time to time. On behalf of the whole committee, thank you.

We are pleased to welcome Jake Cho from McNamara Law to the committee. Jake is an Associate specialising in Commercial Property Law and will be a brilliant addition. Welcome, Jake, really glad to have you.

Looking Ahead

The second half of 2026 is shaping up to be even better. The events calendar is filling up, our advocacy work is gaining traction, and our strategic direction is becoming clearer every month. The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is in a really strong position to serve our business community, and we are not slowing down.

If you are not yet a member, now is a great time to get involved. And if you are already a member, thank you. Your support is what makes all of this possible.

Here’s to a big finish to 2026.

Neil Coupland

President | Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce