Chamber to run business education

BANNOCKBURN and District Chamber of Commerce is hitting their stride, recently securing a COVID recovery grant to run training sessions for their members.

The Chamber’s president Bronwyn Davie said face-to-face and online sessions will be available from April to June and are aimed at educating on tender and grant-writing, how to make a business energy efficient and sustainable, and more.

“The training sessions are all about getting our members back to business after the last two years of challenges and interruptions,” she said.

Tomorrow night at the Bannockburn Railway Hotel, the Chamber’s after work networking evening will return from 5pm to 7pm.

Welcoming members, and prospective members, Chamber representatives will be in the front bar for an informal get together with local businesspeople.

When people drop in, they can also seek assistance from the Chamber if they have any professional concerns.

“This year we’re really going to focus on our strategic plan, and launch some more projects, so we’re looking for people, current members and new, who are motivated and would like to get involved with some of our committees,” Ms Davie said.

The Chamber also produces the Bannockburn Business Directory, which will get its 2022 release in June. It advertises member businesses and encourages Shire residents to spend money in their community and support local.

As many businesses are still “doing it tough” and recovering post-COVID restrictions, the Directory will now only be published annually, instead of twice yearly.

“We had a good response initially to the publication of the second issue, but as we began speaking to the 50 per cent of members who were slow to respond, we realised that some people are still adjusting to the new norm,” Ms Davie said.

“In response to feedback and as recognition that last year was interrupted, we have decided to immediately move to a one publication per annum model.

“This not only eases financial pressure on members but also the workload of the volunteer committee who put the publication together.”