GEELONG is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions and our status as an international city is already undeniable.<\/p>\n
We see it when international sports teams like South Korea’s KT Wiz choose Geelong for their summer training and when the eyes of the cycling world turn to our roads for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.<\/p>\n
We see it in our world-class cultural infrastructure, which regularly plays host to major arts and cultural events.<\/p>\n
And crucially, we see it in our connectivity via our port and at Avalon Airport, which is once again connecting our region directly to global destinations with the return of international flights.<\/p>\n
Now, Geelong businesses will have greater opportunities to connect with the world following an exciting recent development at the City’s Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct.<\/p>\n
I had the pleasure of recently attending the opening of the City’s Global Hub, a fantastic space that provides opportunities for international relations and partnerships in one central location.<\/p>\n
The hub will be available to businesses, industry, government and diplomatic leaders to come together, strengthen international ties and help us achieve our goal \u2013 for Geelong to be globally recognised as a clever and creative city-region.<\/p>\n
It will deliver tangible economic and community-based benefits by providing a dedicated space to expand business opportunities, plan events, forge lasting partnerships and design leading educational opportunities.<\/p>\n
I’m really excited by the potential benefits this space will bring for our region, offering a convenient office and meeting area that connects our community to the world.<\/p>\n
At the official opening, it was clear there is an appetite for these kinds of spaces in our region, with major agencies like Geelong Manufacturing Council, GeelongPort, The Gordon, Regional Development Victoria and Invest Victoria in attendance<\/p>\n
We have well-established sectors itching to make their mark globally and the Global Hub will be a great tool to support future expansion.<\/p>\n
The Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong is already making itself at home in the hub, which will operate as its base to support its members’ international aspirations.<\/p>\n
The cluster represents some of our region’s most highly innovative companies and organisations, including Deakin University, The Gordon, Sykes, Quickstep, Fibre Tech Solutions and GMS Composites.<\/p>\n
I am confident the hub will be a valuable asset to these innovators, driving new opportunities to share Geelong’s brightest ideas with the world.<\/p>\n
The opening event itself demonstrated how connected Geelong already is with global leaders and thinkers.<\/p>\n
In addition to representation from our local industry, we were proud to welcome the Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne Mr Furuya Tokuro, US Consulate General in Melbourne Head of Public Affairs Brian Bauer and business, industry and government leaders.<\/p>\n
Strengthening international ties for our region has been a big focus of the City.<\/p>\n
Since December, the City has hosted international delegations from Japan, Korea and China.<\/p>\n
The value in positioning Geelong as an internationally recognised clever and creative city cannot be understated and we recognise the significant economic benefits this brings to our region.<\/p>\n
We have already seen the success stories of countless local companies that have achieved global reach. Now is the time to lean into that momentum and broaden our horizons even further.<\/p>\n
The Global Hub is a signal to the world that our doors are open and our industries are ready.<\/p>\n
By fostering these international connections and providing a home for innovation, we are securing a clever and creative future for our entire community.<\/p>\n
Cr Chris Burson<\/p>\n
You Yangs ward, City of Greater Geelong<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GEELONG is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions and our status as an international city is already undeniable. We see it when international sports teams like South Korea’s KT Wiz choose Geelong for their summer training and when the eyes of the cycling world turn to our roads for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road […]<\/p>\n