Geelong has a lot to offer in the way of small businesses, with creative, innovative and motivated minds aplenty. After their debut appearance in 2016, the Geelong Small Business Expo is back next month to celebrate that fact; bigger and better than before.
The central idea behind the day is to facilitate a gathering where small businesses are able to network and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. Last year’s expo saw more than 70 exhibitors and over 350 people attend the day. The organisers of this year’s event are hoping to see even more people come down to celebrate Geelong businesses.
The focus of the expo will be the rows of stalls from Geelong’s best and brightest small business owners. Here, attendees can buy or order products from the represented businesses, with particular attention being paid to small businesses who collaborate and connect with each other.
Those looking to kick off their own small business haven’t been forgotten either – there will be two one-hour workshops with selected yet-to-be-announced speakers. This is in addition to a workshop corner, where small businesses can run workshops related to their products and services. These workshops will be scheduled throughout the day in 30 minute blocks. Best of all, they’re free to attend.
The biggest drawcard is the Fashion Show where they are showcasing local fashion boutiques, brands and contributors such as florists, jewellers and acting studios, along with models of all shapes and sizes. This year’s show will have special appearances from local fashion celebrities such as Susana Lopes-Snarey from Style & Life by Susana.
A fully catered cocktail party from 3.30pm to 5.30pm will close the day, but tickets are a must so make sure you get in quick. This will feature special guests such as Tim Conolon (Australian of the Year 2014), Daryl Reader (Bay 93.9), Lee “Stampsy” Stamps (Krock), Daniel Zapata (Zapata Org) and special guest speaker Steve Moxon (Current WKF Middle Weight World Champion, Current MASA Middle Weight World Champion, ISKA South Pacific Middle Weight Champion, Kings of Kombat Champion, Australia’s only signed Glory World Series Fighter).
The Geelong Small Business Expo is hosted by Geelong Women in Business in collaboration with Enterprise Geelong. Entry is a gold coin donation which will go towards the TLC for Kids Geelong Auxiliary, where every single dollar that comes from Geelong stays in Geelong and goes straight back to Geelong kids.
There are plenty of surprises in store for this year’s expo so stay tuned at www.geelongwomen.com.au/expo.
When & Where: The Pier Geelong, Geelong – July 29
Photos by Emir Krajina
Written by Lauren Muscat