Wow I can’t believe that we are into May already and another eventful month ahead.
As I sit here writing this column, we are putting the finishing touches on the business communities big night of the year. The 2021 Coastline Credit Union Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards. After a few false starts due to COVID we are now on the home stretch and we look forward to a glamorous night on the 13th May celebrating local business with this years’ MCs Andy Saunders (Block Fame) and our local celebrity Vanessa Lawrence (The Style Vibe Creative). Good luck to all our finalists.
With the 2022 Federal Election approaching on the 21st May it is important that our local businesses are given the opportunity to ask questions and make their needs known to the candidates so the Chamber will be working in conjunction with other business networks including Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association, Micro Business Forum and Hastings Business Women’s Network to organise a Meet the Candidates event. Please speak with your local network or contact the Chamber regarding dates and venue.
Then on the 24th May our evening network event will be hosted by Charles Sturt University introducing Axiom to the local Business Community. This is a very exciting collaboration for the whole area and will present many opportunities to local businesses. Please join us for this not to be missed event as learn of upcoming opportunities.
A big thank you to Stacey Morgan who many of you will know from Port Macquarie Performing Arts but did you know that Stacey is also a Business made Simple Business Coach? Stacey joined us to present at our April networking breakfast and presented a very insightful “Are you Nurturing or Neglecting your clients?” how to create return ongoing business and create raving fans for your business. If you would like more information on Stacey you can reach her at https://www.simplystaceymorgan.com/ I highly recommend especially for business people with kids!
Following our breakfast Chamber held an Extraordinary General Meeting where we adopted our new constitution and the big news of the meeting is we are changing our name. At the Chamber we believe that we need to stay relevant and move with the times. Businesses need to know what we stand for and they need to be able to find us when they need support or information. The second point that was voted on was to change our name to Business Port Macquarie. This is also in line with changes to Business NSW and was strongly supported. We will also be upgrading our website where we will also have stories of interest from the business community local and state wide, news, picture gallery and so much more so stay tuned for that.
Moving forward to mid-year events June we hope to hear from The Mayor Peta Pinson with six months on from election and our CEO Claire Allen following on with what is happening within council. July we look forward to a great event with local marketing guru Jane Hillsdon educating us on what we need to know about marketing even if we outsource it. We are committed to ensuring that you have the tools and opportunities to help you ensure your business thrives so please let us know what else you would like us to cover.
We would like to thank Mark Wilson for his support in the role of Executive Officer at Business Port Macquarie for the past 5 years. Mark has been committed to expanding our member base and was instrumental in our Golf Days which we now do in partnership with Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Mark leaves us to concentrate more time on his business “That Lead Light Guy” and we wish him every success. I am sure you will still see Mark around at a few of our events.
If you would like to know more about how Business Port Macquarie can help support your business or would like to arrange a coffee catch up chat with me to let me know your thoughts on what we can do better please call 0414 772 771 or Katherine at Business Port Macquarie on 0422 562 300.
Don’t forget to join our Chamber Chats group on facebook to share your business with others and stay up to date with what is happening.
To finish, our quote for the month – Always deliver more than expected – Larry Page
Have a great month
Alex
