Geelong is open for business, and we are being led by innovators driving new waves of opportunities.
This was one of the key messages I delivered to a packed crowd at last week’s Technology and Innovation Summit.
Council was proud to partner with the Geelong Manufacturing Council in delivering this event, which brought together industry experts, investors, and thought leaders for a day of insightful discussions and networking opportunities.
The summit showcased the world-leading manufacturing capabilities of our region and featured international market leaders speaking on a range of topics.
Our credentials in the advanced manufacturing space are well known.
It has taken much work, and that work is ongoing, but having been built on the back of the sheep, we are now a city on the rise.
Geelong is at the heart of the advanced technologies sectors of tomorrow and beyond, but we understand that we cannot rest on past achievements if we are to be successful in the short, medium and long-term future.
I am so proud of the work that has been done in pioneering innovation and fostering technological advancements across cutting-edge industries.
The alignment between Council’s Clever and Creative vision and our sharpened focus on growth industries will help drive our future economy.
In addition, our consistent focus on developing a collaborative environment that promotes local business growth, encourages strategies for talent attraction and advances future workforce skills and strategic projects, will help to underpin further evolution in these areas.
Building and growing our international profile as a place to invest, do business, visit and study is a crucial part of cementing our position as a city of global significance.
We want to attract and retain world-leading industries and services, to strengthen and further diversify our modern economy.
The City of Greater Geelong experienced the largest growth in business numbers in Victoria to June 2023, with an additional 301 businesses, taking the total to 22,090 in our region.
This speaks to the appeal of establishing yourself in an area known for its lifestyle benefits as well as being surrounded by those with similar aims and ambitions.
So it is encouraging to see the ongoing desire that business owners, employers and jobseekers have for our region.
It is our role as a council group and our obligation to encourage start-ups and innovators to see Geelong as their future home.
We have seen Geelong emerge in the post-COVID world in a strong growth position, with our population surging and our economic status as a region something that many would have envied.
But the work to remain competitive both nationally and globally does not stop.
As was discussed at last Thursday’s summit, there are opportunities in the Geelong region for businesses to adapt their existing operations and create new opportunities individually or through alliances.
I am grateful to the Geelong Manufacturing Council for their work in hosting the summit.
I came away from the day feeling excited by what we as a region are doing and buoyed by the possibility of what can be achieved in the future.
