Geelong events pave the way for opportunity

THE City of Greater Geelong has hosted two events aimed at bringing together key industry leaders within the region.

Leaders from manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, energy and advanced technology attended, connecting local businesses with major project opportunities.

One of the events took place on Tuesday this week, where more than 100 businesses gathered for the Industry Capability Network Geelong Showcase.

Leaders shared insights and updates about upcoming projects, and attendees heard how to position themselves for opportunities.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said hosting industry events reinforces Geelong’s position as a destination for small and big business.

“Geelong has a proud manufacturing identity, it’s part of our story. Importantly, we continue to evolve as a City with diverse businesses.

“It’s about adapting to new industries, embracing innovation, and creating new jobs for the future.

“This is vital in supporting the needs of our rapidly growing population.”

A workshop also took place in June with experts from local public and private sectors, exploring Geelong-made products that could play a role in solving national challenges.

One of the focuses of the event was Geelong’s housing shortage and how innovative, lightweight modular composite materials and fibre panels could be used to build houses faster.

The council’s economic development portfolio chair Cr Trent Sullivan said bringing the brightest minds within industry together would continue to open doors.

“This is what smart economic development looks like,” he said.

“We have bold ambitions for our city, captured in our new Council Plan 2025-29 and Geelong on the Rise: A Clever & Creative International City 2024-34 economic development plan.

“Providing a platform for these events is just one way to drive us closer to our goals. It’s exciting to know the connections made at our very own Civic Precinct could lead to something much bigger.”