Small businesses and their role in the community will be under the spotlight in July.
Federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson will join the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) to make the individuals behind small businesses the focus of its annual policy event, the Vodafone National Small Business Summit in July.
The inaugural Summit Start Up will be opened by the Hon Bruce Billson, the Federal Small Business Minister on the evening of Wednesday July 15; where the community, culture, and diversity of small businesses will be celebrated.
All individual business owners are invited to join the Summit Start Up, to network with their peers, showcase their entrepreneurial force and meet with key leaders and policy influencers and makers.
During the evening, attendees can hear commentary from various sectors – from accountants and gym owners, to mechanics and hairdressers – about what role they play in the community and how this impacts the public’s welfare.
Minister Billson said: “I am delighted to join small business owners and representatives at the inaugural Start Up to COSBOA’s Summit. Our Government knows the hard working women and men of small business really are the engine room of our economy. Small business has been and continues to be an enduring focus and priority for me, both professionally and personally.”
Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA, added: “Small business is vital to the Australian economy, although we sometimes get caught up discussing the financial impacts of small business; it’s important not to lose sight and be aware of their contributions to communities and the cultural fabric on a daily basis – whether that’s the local cafe owner, who knows you on a first name basis, or local hairdresser, who stays open to work around your calendar.”
Peter Strong and the Minster will also be joined by Andrew Chanmugam, Vodafone’s General Manager of Business, and Robert Gerrish founder of Flying Solo, home to a community of over 75,000 Australian solo and micro businesses, sharing their advice and learning with owners.
COSBOA is also pleased to announce Westpac is a major sponsor for this year’s Summit. General Manager for Small Business, Julie Rynski, adds: “Small business is the backbone of the Australian economy, and Westpac is excited to be involved in an event celebrating the success of Australia’s small business owners and entrepreneurs.
“As a major sponsor of the inaugural Small Business Summit Start Up, we look forward to advancing the conversation around small business community and culture, which is vital to the continued strength of the small business sector and Australian economy as a whole.”
Tickets for the Small Business Summit Start Up on Wednesday 15th July are $20 per person. Full registration for the Vodafone National Small Business Summit is now also open. For more information please visit www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au