Geelong Small Business Festival program released

BUSINESSES large and small are invited to take part in this year’s Geelong Small Business Festival (GSBF), with the full program being released last week.

The GSBF is the region’s largest dedicated business festival and has helped hundreds of local businesses and thousands of people looking to start, grow or improve their business.

It will feature an exciting program of more than 70 low-cost and free events, presented in person and online, designed to connect, inspire and support the local business community throughout August.

The festival will officially be launched on August 3 with a gala event at GMHBA Stadium, featuring an immersive laneway experience, a three-course dinner, and a keynote address from Cherie Clonan from The Digital Picnic.

Ms Clonan is a noted digital marketing expert, entrepreneur, and advocate for neuro-diversity.

On August 8, Davidsons Accountants and Business Consultants will host a session at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club titled “Unlocking the secrets to small business success”, where businesses can network and take part in an interactive workshop.

Recruitment expert Lauren Hogan from Fruition Recruitment will present “Nail your next hire: learn how to cut through this candidate market”.

To be held at Eastern Hub Geelong on August 16, the session will open the floodgates on innovative talent strategies to set you up for hiring success.

Bill Evans speaks at last year’s Westpac Economic Breakfast. Photo: JAMES TAYLOR

Bill Winter and Mark Edmonds have been successful business owners and proven mentors to business owners and leaders.

Their “Build a better business” workshop, also at Eastern Hub Geelong on August 16, will identify your existing position and clarify what business you are really in.

Carla Egan of The Coaching Directory will present “From burnout to breakthrough: insights from the generation behind the Great Resignation”.

The online session on August 18 will address the ever-growing challenge of retention in the workforce.

Jump on board “The BIG Geelong CoWorking Day and Tour” on August 28, with the all-day, five session event showcasing some of the flexible work spaces across Greater Geelong.

A highlight of each year’s festival is the Westpac Economic Breakfast but this year’s event on August 31 could be the last with Westpac chief economist Bill Evans.

This week, the bank announced Mr Evans – who has been in the role since 1991 – would take on a new position as a senior economic advisor for Westpac in January.

Week 1 GSBF events, August 1-4:

Mastering bookkeeping: do’s and don’ts for business success (online)
Don’t be another Geelong business to lose $58k to criminals* Supercharge your contect marketing with YouTube and ChatGPT
Sustainable cultural change: fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace (online)
Headshot day
Launch event
Great systems and processes are what make your business bigger than you (online)
Confidence on camera.

Week 2 GSBF events, August 7-11:

Social selling, part 1 – creating the right message to market online
Empower ability: transcend barriers and limited abilities to create limitlesss success
Employer guide to employing international students and graduates
Brand and brand identity
Employment law update – the new pay secrecy laws
Unlocking the secrets to small business success
Nourish to flourish: elevating workplace health for business success
How to coach and empower young people in your business
AI or die (online)
Laugh your way to better business
Boost your business with a book
Weekly HIIT for business
Masterclass: unlocking the code to website success (online)
Social selling, part 2 – bringing people easily into sales conversations online
Workplace wellness program – pilates and networking
Unleashing resilience through art – a small business journey
Instagram essentials for business – one-day workshop.

Week 3 GSBF events, August 14-18:

Marketing for e-commerce: build visibility, influence and sales
Work-integrated learning program that supports small business (online)
Building cyber resilience (online)
Undertaking effective workplace investigations (online)
Lights, camera, conversion! Accelerate your business with video marketing (online)
Event planning made easy – a step-by-step guide for small business owners
The power of coaching to engage teams (online)
Uncover your leadership potential today (online)
Business insurance tips and traps (online)
How to create a brand with heart
Turn your dreams into $$
Build a better business
Nail your next hire: learn how to cut through this candidate market
Lead with impact – strengthening our conversations
Commercial leasing 101
Leading in hard times
Weekly HIIT for business
Know your numbers- unlocking financial freedom for your business
Basic food labelling for food business (in person and online)
Find your vision and mission: build a powerful, unshakeable brand with a purpose-driven foundation
Boardroom insights
From burnout to breakthrough: insights from the generation behind the great resignation (online).