Ipswich City Council will help connect small businesses with information, events and each other this coming Queensland Small Business Month in May.
The Ipswich community can also help small businesses by supporting them, buying local and sharing positive experiences online.
There are over 10,000 registered businesses in Ipswich. In 2018 approximately 5 million people worked for small businesses across Australia, representing 44% of relevant private-sector employment.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Queensland Small Business Month is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the vibrancy and prosperity that small businesses bring to the city.
“Small businesses give our residents the opportunity to pursue their dreams and aspirations,” Mayor Harding said.
“Demand for the essential goods and services, jobs and local connections provided by our small businesses is set to grow as our city welcomes an additional 330,000 residents to 2041,” Mayor Harding said.
“As Queensland’s first Small Business Friendly Council, we are committed to working with the city’s chambers of commerce and tailoring support to our local traders’ needs.”
Council’s small business month initiatives are set to give small business owners the opportunity to learn and acquire new skills, tools and ideas to take their business to the next level. Events that have been designed to create opportunities for collaboration and build strategic partnerships while connecting with government, industry and each other.
Economic and Industry Development Chair Councillor Nicole Jonic said small businesses are at the heart of the Ipswich economy and should be supported.
“Small businesses make a vital contribution to our economy. Ipswich has more than 10,000 registered businesses, most of them are small businesses. They play an important role in keeping our community strong,” Cr Jonic said.
“Our economy is still recovering from the pandemic and council is committed to focusing on ways to assist the small business sector’s economic recovery and creating jobs with the ‘Bounce Back Better’ message during Queensland Small Business Month.”
Ipswich City Council became Queensland’s first Small Business Friendly Council last year making it easier for small businesses across the city to do business with council strengthening its support for thousands of businesses, with the month kicking off with the Small Business Friendly Councils Conference.
Workshops will be held throughout May on topics from how to make the most of markets and how to set up an effective stall at tradeshows.
A Food and Agriculture Network event will look at how to establish local food supply chains.
Council’s Operation Scale-Up program will also kick off during Queensland’s Small Business Month, providing the opportunity to 24 growing small businesses to learn how to successfully sell to the Defence industry.
The Defence Hub will run workshops on pitching for Defence while training will take place around how to build your business, marketing strategies, acquiring new customers and how to boost cashflow.
The months’ long activities will culminate with the first 2021 Ipswich Business Expo to be held over two days on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 May inside the Trade Hall, Ipswich Showgrounds.
About 100 stall holders will come together to showcase their services as well as 18 business-focused seminars on offer.
Cr Jonic said the expo is open to businesses and visitors who want to shop, learn and engage with local businesses from Ipswich and the greater Queensland South East and West regions.
“Register now to secure an exhibition space to showcase your business to both visitors and other businesses,” Cr Jonic said.
“The opportunity to speak with all three levels of government about funding, grants, training and resources available to support your business will be in the one place at the 2021 Ipswich Business Expo.
“For people who are not business owners but like to shop, come along and be exposed to the latest products, trends and businesses in Ipswich that you may not even know are right here in your backyard.”
Tickets to the seminars and workshops can be purchased via these links:
For more information visit www.businessexpoipswich.com.au
Find the full list of events across Queensland here.