Hi

We hosted two fabulous events this week including the New Members Function last night. We are constantly reminded of what an incredible caliber of people and businesses we have in our valley. It was fantastic to meet our new members and personally welcome you to the Hutt Valley Chamber. Great to see so many of our Board Members and Partners in attendance as well. Thank you all for coming (and braving yesterday's weather and resultant terrible traffic!) Special thanks to Gold Partner, Spark Business Hub Hutt-Porirua for hosting the event with a fun quiz and a fantastic prize of a brand new mobile phone, won by Tania Gough from Savvy Up. Congratulations Tania.

This week we also hosted Helen's official farewell. With her last day as our CEO just days away, over 120 people took the opportunity to come together at the Lower Hutt Events Centre to wish her well. We'll share photos on both of these events next week. In the meantime, we are still looking for our next CEO so please read on for information on this position. First up though, current updates for business ...

COVID-19 & Business Updates

Resurgence support payment for reduction in revenue as a result of Alert Level 2 change on 23 June - applications closing on 29 July
Current travel updates from NZ Government
Reminder: tax returns due 7 July
Sick leave changes from 24 July

For all current updates, visit www.hvchamber.org.nz.

Upcoming Events

Tech After 5: 28 July 2021, 5:30-7:30pm
BNZ Partners Centre, Lower Hutt

We are extremely proud to showcase three fabulous local businesses who are leading the way worldwide in technology and innovation.

Hear from Nick Long from The Paihau-Robinson Institute, part of Victoria University. They are currently developing technology to revolutionise spacecraft propulsion
Wellington is on track to become the first city in the southern hemisphere to boast its own Kiwi designed and built fully electric marine transport, thanks to Wellington Electric Boat Company. Hear from Managing Director, Fraser Foote
NZ's Young Engineer of the Year 2019 Terry Miller of EIGHT360, will introduce you to his world-unique NOVA platform, giving defence and commercial organisations an immersive virtual vehicle experience

This is a fantastic line-up of Hutt Valley businesses, brought to you in conjunction with Platinum Partner, BNZ as part of the Hutt Valley Chamber's Manufacturing and Technology Programme for 2021.

This is a popular, always very inspiring and interesting evening, uncovering some of the hidden gems of our local business community. There is no cost for members, with a small charge for non-members. Book today.

BNZ Tech Series - book here >

Women in Business Lunch:
Leadership in a Covid World

12 August, 12:00pm-2:00pm

The Women in Business Lunch has been postponed due to recent changes to alert levels. It will now be taking place on 12 August at the Lower Hutt Events Centre. We do hope you can make it.

Reconnect over an informal lunch with Keynote Speaker, Kristen Lunman, Co-founder and General Manager of Hatch. Kristen challenged the status quo by opening up US sharemarkets to all New Zealanders with her modern investment platform, Hatch.

Nominated for the NZ Women of Influence Innovator of the Year awards in 2018, Kristen is passionate about providing New Zealanders with faster and more affordable access to world-class financial tools. Kristen is a strong advocate for financial independence through smart investing. Book now to join us for this relaxed lunch.

Women in Business Lunch >

Upcoming Training & Development

Driving Traffic to Your Website: 4 August 2021

Silver Partner, Synthesis Marketing is running the first of a series of workshops aimed at helping SMEs with their digital marketing.

This first workshop will focus on driving traffic to your website. You'll gain an understanding of:

Making gains by linking website and offline marketing
Search engine optimisation (SEO) and the keywords that matter
Paid online advertising
Writing content that works
Understanding website backlinks
The value of Google's "Near Me" searches.

Places are limited, so book today. There is no charge to attend this event. Find out more and register here.

Register here >

Business Training Programme Launch:
6 August 2021 @ 10:00am

Come along to the programme launch and gain access to credible qualifications at no cost, thanks to Platinum Partner, Open Polytechnic. Certificates are available in Business, Management, and Administration & Technology.

Upskill yourself or your team through this brand new programme run in partnership with Open Polytechnic and Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. To find out more, book here

Book here >

Latest Member to Member Offer

Love local with this great deal from Furniss Electrical, who are offering 15% off quotes for Hutt Valley Chamber Members.

Are you a Hutt Valley Chamber Member with a deal to share with other Members? Touch base with raewyn@hvchamber.org.nz and she will get your offer online for you. See current offers here.

Visit the Members Marketplace >

Helping Youth into Employment

As many of you know we work with businesses every day helping them with labour shortages, while giving young people new career experiences and opportunities, as part of our Education to Employment Programme.

We are delighted to now also be working alongside Youth Inspire, who help local young people with employability skills, helping to get them work ready. Read more here.

Local News

Get Your Share of up to $68 Million Being Invested in the Naenae Pool Rebuild

Hutt City Council is encouraging local businesses to express interest in being part of the Naenae Pool rebuild, and to benefit from a slice of up to $68 million being invested in the project. Find out more here.

Find out more >

Could you be the Next Hutt Valley Chamber CEO?

If you think you've got what it takes, we would love to hear from you!

Could you be the person we're looking for? Or perhaps you know someone who would be perfect for this interesting, diverse and rewarding role?

As our Chamber CEO, you would be inheriting a fabulous team, a strong balance sheet and have the pleasure of working with an inspiring and engaged local business community. There are excellent business support programmes in place, along with several contracts for services. Plus there are plenty more opportunities in the pipeline to develop. This is an intense but fun role. Are you up for the challenge? Take a look at the job description here.

Do please forward this Hutt Valley Business Weekly to your other businesses colleagues so we can keep them up to date as well.