Local businesses, industry leaders to gather for Geelong cleantech event

A YEARLY roadshow showcasing the achievements and developments of the green technology industry is set to return to Geelong next month.

The NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase will bring together local businesses and innovators with a range of clean economy experts and industry leaders who will share how they are commercialising cleantech and climate solutions into new products and services to tackle global problems.

Across a variety of presentations, panel discussions and product exhibitions, the showcase will celebrate the last 10 years of clean economy action and consider what lies ahead, covering topics such as innovation, manufacturing, transport and mobility, and government and policy.

The event will be held on Friday, August 23 at Geelong’s civic precinct Wurriki Nyal on Mercer Street.

Doors will open at 11am with the first session beginning at 12pm.

Delivered by the City of Greater Geelong in partnership with the Victorian Cleantech Cluster, an industry network supporting companies and founders who are researching, developing, commercialising and promoting clean technology solutions, the NEXUS showcase will close out the 2024 Geelong Small Business Festival, which begins on August 12.

This year’s NEXUS showcase will be headlined by Coreo chief executive and co-founder Ashleigh Morris, a globally recognised leader in circular economy and systems thinking.

Ms Morris holds advisory roles across the mining, textiles and renewable fuels industries with companies including Rio Tinto and L’Oreal and is a founding board member of the Australian Circular Economy Hub, a platform aiming to facilitate the transition to a circular economy.

Her presentation, ‘Living, Working and Thriving in the Circular Economy: A Vision’ will inspire businesses to revolutionise their operations for a sustainable future.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the Geelong Small Business Festival was set to end on a high with the NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase.

“There are many local businesses of different sizes looking for opportunities to move into the clean economy space and tackle environmental issues,” he said.

“The NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase is an unmissable learning and networking opportunity with major players in this industry who are transforming our economy for a cleaner future.

“Join us to celebrate the incredible work of local champions and exchange ideas with like-minded people.”

Deputy mayor and chair of the city’s strong local economy portfolio Anthony Aitken said the council was proud to host the NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase as part of the festival.

“Our support for this event underscores our sustainability efforts to achieve net zero emissions in the Geelong region by 2035,” he said.

“We’re working to empower local businesses to develop clean economy solutions that assist our community to address climate change mitigation and adaption, encourage renewables, and complement the transition to a circular economy.”

This year’s Geelong Small Business Festival will run from August 1223 and feature more than 50 free and low-cost events aimed at empowering the region’s businesses.

For tickets to the NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase, head to events.humanitix.com/nexus-clean-economy-showcase/tickets, or to view the full Geelong Small Business Festival program, head to gsbf.com.au