Small-business fest reaches 13 years

Founder and CEO of Australia’s leading social media training agency The Digital Picnic Cherie Clonan is the gala dinner keynote speaker. (supplied)

The Geelong Small Business Festival gets underway from August 1 with community members encouraged to secure their seats soon to avoid disappointment.

The annual festival runs from August 1 to 31 and aims to assist and inspire residents who are keen to start a business and those looking to grow or improve their existing business.

Geelong Chamber of Commerce CEO Jeremy Crawford said being a small business owner was both fulfilling and challenging.

“It’s empowering to be your own boss and work towards your goals but drawing on the expertise and support from the local business community will not only ease pressure but pave the way for further growth and success,” he said.

“The Geelong Small Business Festival is a unique opportunity to tap into the knowledge and experiences of subject matter experts in the small business world.”

Bookings for the more than 70 low-cost and free workshops, presentations and networking opportunities are building, with topics such as: embracing the power of divergent minds; mastering bookkeeping; basic food labelling for food businesses; Masterclass: unlocking the code to website success; marketing for ecommerce; and sustainability and water efficiency.

Cherie Clonan, founder and CEO of Australia’s leading social media training agency The Digital Picnic, is the gala dinner keynote speaker on best-practice social media marketing, community growth and transforming social accounts.

A limited number of seats are still available for gala dinner on Thursday August 3 from 6pm at GMHBA Stadium.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said council and Geelong Chamber of Commerce would deliver a jam-packed program for the festival’s 13th year.

“Free headshots, learning how to best utilise Artificial Intelligence, starting a home-based food business, improving SEO for your online store and business insurance tips are just a few of the many valuable workshops and talks available,” he said.

More information: gsbf.com.au