Last year Junior Chamber International Illawarra's Tea By The Sea was among the top 10 Australia's Biggest Morning Tea events in the nation but this year the emerging leaders involved in the local chapter of JCI know they have more competition in the Illawarra for the title of the biggest fund-raiser in 2013.

But for those involved, including Tracy Thomas of the Cancer Council, Tess Hadley of the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, Tania Lincoln from the Hotel Illawarra, and Melissa Dabinett of the Illawarra Regional Information Service, the main goal is to make every cup count to help the Cancer Council support local people with cancer.

Ms Lincoln is the co-ordinator of this year's JCI Illawarra Tea By The Sea, taking over from event founder Stefanie Gaspari.

Ms Lincoln said this year it would be at a new venue.

If the weather is good it will be outdoors on The Deck at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach on Thursday, May 23, from 7am.

But Ms Hadley said the function rooms adjacent to The Deck would be opened up and used if there was any chance of rain.

The four women said they expected to sell 250 tickets to Thursday's Tea By The Sea and tickets could be booked at www.jciillawarra.org/tbts2013.

Email tea@jciillawarra.org for information about sponsoring the event or donating prizes.

Ms Dabinett said nsw.cancercouncilfundraising .org.au/teabythesea2013 was open for donations.

Last year 230 people attended Tea By The Sea and Ms Thomas expects the sixth instalment would be even bigger.

"Tea By The Sea is a fantastic opportunity for the Illawarra community to support those affected by cancer locally," she said.

"Cancer really is a social issue. We all have the capacity every day to do something to help bring the defeat of cancer closer.

"Since 2009 JCI's Tea By The Sea has raised an incredible $29,702.85 as part of Cancer Council's Australia's Biggest Morning Tea."

Funds raised go to cancer research, prevention, information and local support services.