Gala to launch Geelong Small Business Festival

FROM education to inspiration, Geelong Small Business Festival is helping small businesses in our region.

The City of Greater Geelong and Geelong Chamber of Commerce are thrilled to be co-delivering the Geelong Small Business Festival (GSBF).

Now in its 13th year, our region’s largest dedicated business festival has helped thousands of people looking to start, grow or improve their business.

This year’s festival features an exciting program of almost 80 low-cost and free events designed to connect, inspire, grow and support the local business community.

A key highlight of the festival is the GSBF Gala launch event sponsored by The Gordon.

Cherie Clonan, award-winning digital marketer and owner of The Digital Picnic will headline the Gala.

Ms Clonan left the cushiness of a well-paid, super safe in-house digital marketing role to launch The Digital Picnic in October 2014 and has been an industry leader and disrupter.

Her story is one of grit, long hours, sacrifices and breakthroughs. Her story is truly inspiring.

“This is an incredible win for the festival to have Cherie Clonan as our special guest,” Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Jeremy Crawford said.

“Cherie’s story will really resonate with the business community.

“Her story is impassioned, inspiring, and raw, as Cherie will share with the exclusive audience her struggles, juggles and her success in building one of the most recognised social media agency brands.”

Participants will arrive to a Business Laneway Experience, sponsored by Judo Bank. They will be greeted by an immersive and interactive display of local business showcasing the best our region has to offer as they enter the event.

Hundreds of people are expected to join the launch event to hear from the keynote speakers and celebrate the region’s vibrant business community.

This year’s gala launch dinner will be held at GMHBA Stadium on August 3 from 6-10pm.

Tickets are now available via the festival website at gsbf.com.auThe Gala event is being sponsored by The Gordon.