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CONNECT. INSPIRE. GROW.
Unlock unparalleled growth and learning opportunities for small businesses at the Geelong Small Business Festival, the region’s largest business festival. This event has been a catalyst for change, empowering thousands of local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to start, grow, and enhance their business.
The annual festival promises an array of low-cost and free events designed to connect, inspire, and support our vibrant business community. Event attendees will be enlightened by industry experts, upskilled across various business areas, and forge valuable new connections.
Marketing, Social Media, and Promoting Your Business Online:
Discover the latest in branding, digital marketing, and e-commerce.
Business Essentials:
Master finance, accounting, tax, and legal essentials.
Starting a Business:
Learn about business plans, permits, home-based businesses, and co-working spaces.
Growing Your Business, Sales, and Expanding Your Networks:
Engage in networking, business mentoring,
Career Development, Leading, and Managing People:
Enhance your HR skills, leadership, and team management.
Health and Wellbeing:
Focus on resilience, staff safety, and mental and physical health in the workplace.
Sustainability, Circular Economy, and Social Responsibility:
Embrace sustainable practices, reduce your carbon footprint, and support fair trade.
I have loved being one of the hosts in the Geelong Small Business Festival over the past eight years. I’ve gained so much. Hosting allows me to meet many passionate business owners and professionals, grow my network and build valuable relationships.I get to share my expertise in sessions like “Get Back An Hour In Every Day” and see how it helps business owners as well as staff.
Geelong Small Business Festival is an amazing way for our business to connect with local business owners and also help to up skill our community on digital marketing. We’ve run events as a part of the Geelong Small Business Festival for the last 4 years, and will continue that tradition.
Complimentary to the new skills learnt are the connections made with other local small business owners. These have endured over the 8 years I have been attending.
Each year I look forward to the Geelong Small Business Festival. It always delivers a range of interesting courses or lectures and I usually find two or three that can help me in my business. I’ve learnt essential public speaking skills, SEO training, Social Media and Facebook Advertising knowledge -which is always important to keep up with if you have a website.The festival duration is manageable and the prices are very reasonable.
I attended six events throughout the festival with a variety of motivations, including to learn new skills or to refresh existing skills. I absolutely recommend people attend the 2024 Geelong Small Business Festival as it’s a great opportunity to gain new knowledge, meet other people in a similar situation or start embarking on your business journey. Networking is a big component, as you don’t know who you might meet -for example, I’ve had a small job that I’ve taken on turn into a big find.
The GSBF is a fantastic initiative that brings together experts in various fields to help small business owners implement new ideas and strategies. The workshops are eye-opening and the networking opportunities are invaluable. A must-attend event for anyone looking to grow their business in the Geelong area.
Our 21,500+ small businesses are the backbone of Greater Geelong’s economy. Their success is vital to our community and crucial to our vision for a Clever and Creative future.
Join us at the Geelong Small Business Festival and be part of this inspiring event. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to upskill your business!
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