From the President - March 2024

March 7, 2024

Business Port Macquarie has started the year strong with so much happening already. Just as a recap we started off in January with our Networking cocktail party held at the fabulous Sunset Framing and Gallery on Central Road sponsored by Eire Constructions. We had a couple of artists in attendance and the opportunity for guests to view some incredible local artwork, spin some tunes on the old record player and have a chance to relax and get to know each other. At this event we launched our calendar of events taking us through to July (these events are available on our website.)

Speaking of websites, our new website was launched on in early February. Thank you to Happy Simple for the work they have done on this. There is more still to come over the next month or so with a member’s page where amongst other things our members will be able to share offers (great reason to be a member).

6th February we launched the Business Awards! What a Fabulous night in the radiant ambiance of the Little Shack, we welcomed over 90 guests, including our invaluable sponsors, to mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey to Greater Port Macquarie's premier event - The 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards.

We heard valuable insights from the panel who included our Hall of Fame Inductees, Liberty Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Services CEO Kelly Lamb and Men & Women at Work Managing Director Ross Cargill along with 2023 Business Award Winners Dr Kristy Kostalas from Port Medical & Aesthetics and Claire Mathews from Colourworks.

As we embark on this exhilarating journey celebrating our shining stars, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our amazing sponsors for being a part of this milestone event.

They are Naming Rights Sponsor - Coastline, Gold Sponsor - Thrumster Business Park, Silver Sponsors - Luxe Laser & Aesthetics, Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Panthers Port Macquarie, Southern Cross Austereo, Bronze Sponsors - WIN TV, Cassesgrain Wines, Bennetts Steel, Focus Magazine, St Columba Anglican College, Majestic Cinemas, LJ Finance Capital, Vandaline Painting Contractors, Colourworks, Billabong Zoo, Eire Constructions, Harvey Norman Computers, Mobile Phones &Technology, The Ritz Centre, Port Macquarie Hastings Council & HBWN and our Dinner Sponsors - Wauchope Country Club, Business NSW, Letz get Lit 2444, Touchwood Flowers and Sunset Framing & Gallery.

Together, we are not just celebrating success; we are shaping the future of our vibrant business ecosystem. Of course, the awards aren't about celebrating unless we receive nominations, so please go to www.businessportmacquarie.com.au/awards to nominate a great local business who you believe deserves the recognition of being a Shining Star in our business community or nominate your own business. Entries close 5pm 28thMarch. Our Gala Awards Dinner will be held Saturday 18th May with tickets on sale from 17th April. Make sure you add these date in your diary as tickets sell out fast. Dress code is formal ‘Bring the Bling’ so we look forward to seeing you all shining bright.

To finish February we also had our AI Chat GPT interactive working lunch with Ollie Brook from Cloud Concepts and Sponsored by ACM. It was a great event demonstrating the power of AI for business.

March 14th we are having a breakfast workshop designed to guide you through the process of crafting winning entries for the prestigious 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards! It’s for you if you want to stand out among industry leaders by learning first-hand how to submit a winning entry.

Thursday 28th March Business Award entries close 5pm so make sure your entry is in and you don’t miss out.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy and safe Easter where you can spend some time together and refresh for the next big quarter and so many more wonderful experiences.

To book for any of our events go to www.businessportmacquarie.com.au and for any enquiries regarding events or to become a member of Business Port Macquarie. Or give Malcolm a call at the office on 0422 562 300.

Remember …. Keep Smiling, People will wonder what you’ve been up to!

Until next month.

Alex