Big day for business

MANY of the city’s business owners and representatives met last Friday to mingle, network and gain inspiration as part of Commerce Ballarat’s annual Business Day Out 2022.

Dozens gathered at the Mercure’s convention centre for a networking lunch and drinks and to listen to a series of panel speakers talk about their experiences.

Media personality Gorgi Coghlan was MC for the event, and said it provided a great opportunity for Ballarat’s businesses to collaborate.

“It’s great to sit down and listen to other people’s thoughts and ideas and open your heart and mind to new ways of thinking and that’s what today is about,” she said.

“I think we underestimate the value of collaboration and don’t give it enough time. For me, it’s the richest vein where you can really listen from other people’s mistakes and successes.”

Wallup farmer Karen Inkster talked about Australia’s farming and food systems alongside TUI Food’s Tony Cartwright, and said their presentation was about highlighting the depth and preconceptions in the agricultural business.

“People have a lot of outdated ideas about farming and agriculture, so this is about seeing that process and showing people what they can learn from that, that it’s not all blokes with hayseeds and big hats,” she said.”

“It’s really beneficial for business leaders here to see what else is going out there in other industries.”

Other speakers included Carolyn Creswell, founder of Carman’s Kitchen, and the World Economic Forum’s Abdullahi Alim.