The Future Belongs to those with the Vision – meet the owner of

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO Those with the vision!

Starting out as an apprentice in a printing shop at the tender age of 15, Tony Scanlon, now Managing Director of Surfair Beach Hotel, Surfair Conferences, Weddings and Events and Scanlon Property Group - has worked his way up the business ladder, using his business and life knowledge to become an entrepreneurial success.

That apprenticeship led him to a bright new opportunity as the costing, estimating and sales manager at another Brisbane printing company, where he stayed for 10 years. But in 1993, when he spotted a gap in the market, Tony set sail on his own journey, starting his printing company, which he eventually sold in 2008.

Mid 2014, Tony and his wife Karyn - along with children Brooke 26, Josh ‘Chops’ 24 and Holly 11 - took over Surfair Beach Hotel and soon after purchased the Surfair Conferences, Weddings and Events sector.

Tony believes that being family owned and operated is a huge advantage in providing the impressive level of customer service Surfair has to offer. When you speak to one of the managers you will always be speaking to one of the family members, who will know what’s going on.

As an opportunist, Tony jumped at the chance of buying Surfair Beach Hotel because of its prominent location with an absolute pristine, patrolled beachfront, just minutes from the Sunshine Coast airport and a short drive for visitors from major locations such as Brisbane, Maryborough and Noosa.

A seamless partnership between Surfair Beach Hotel and Ramada Hotels works hand in hand with the food and beverage service for weddings and events because patrons can park, attend the event and stay at the venue, while enjoying those spellbinding views. This option removes the stress of having to organise transport to and from the venue or going home in scattered groups. And then there’s the recovery breakfast the next day, enjoying fresh sea breezes in the Beach Bistro Bar, before spending the morning at the patrolled Marcoola beach just a few steps away.

Boasting six in-house conference and function rooms, as well as 221 accommodation rooms, the friendly and professional team of 45 at Surfair provide the right balance of creativity and detailed planning for events catering from 10 to 240 guests. Each function room offers built-in AV systems, dedicated wireless Internet, adjustable lighting and technical sophistication

Being family owned and operated is a huge advantage in providing the impressive level of customer service Surfair has to offer.

allowing for multi audio visual presentations.

Locals love heading down to Surfair for a cold one at the pool bar just footsteps away from the surf and adjacent to the 60 metre lagoon pool, as well as heading into the Sports Bar with TAB, Keno and large screens showing the latest and live sporting events.

On days off Tony enjoys surfing, rowing and being active so it is only natural that involvement in the Sunshine Coast sporting community is strong with Surfair sponsoring the local AFL team, Mudjimba and Coolum Board Riders, Northshore AFL and Northshore Traders Association.

However, the favourite event he ever attended was, he said, the 2006 NRL Grand Final, when the Brisbane Broncos defeated the Melbourne Storm 15-8 in front of a crowd of nearly 80,000 at ANZ Stadium.

The feeling of being there and celebrating the victory on the night with son Josh was phenomenal, Tony said.

Tony’s tip for choosing your next event venue is to look for a well organised venue in a great location with excellent customer service.

A forward thinker with the future in his vision, Tony is excited about the growth of the Sunshine Coast, especially in the area south of Coolum and north of Maroochydore. He truly believes the future belongs to those with the vision. f

Surfair - right on the beach at 923 David Low Way, Marcoola or call 07 5457 2555 www.surfairbeachhotel.com.au

Surfair Conferences, Weddings and Events is perfect for: ✓ Birthdays ✓ Anniversaries ✓ Tradeshows ✓ Christenings ✓ School Formals ✓ Meetings ✓ Engagements ✓ Christmas Parties ✓ Conferences ✓ Weddings ✓ Work Functions ✓ Team Building Days

CALOUNDRA LAW SPECIALISES IN BUSINESS AND PROPERT Y LAW

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