Free business workshops, networking events, local success, and more!
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Coffs Coast Business News - November 2024
Each month, the City of Coffs Harbour's Economic Development & Tourism Team collates information for all businesses, large and small, across the Coffs Coast - helping you stay informed, keep connected, and feel supported.
We hope you find the newsletter valuable - please feel free to forward it to colleagues and your team. They can also subscribe to receive a copy directly. Previous editions of Coffs Coast Business News are available to view here.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Business events and training
- Creative Business Sprint Workshop 3: Financial Planning and Budgeting - Monday 11 November
- Optimise your online business for increased sales - Friday 15 November
- Ground Swell Masterclass: Visitor Litter is Everyone's Business - Monday 18 November
- Creative Business Spring Workshop 4: Navigating Legal Foundations - Monday 18 November
- Networking Breakfast with Professor Tyrone Carlin - Thursday 28 November
- AHRI Bridging Generations: Unlocking Workplace Potential - Friday 29 November
- LinkedIn Local Coffs Coast Christmas Lunch - Friday 29 November
NORTEC Free Online Training How to start a business - Tuesday 12 November
Conquer procrastination and boost your productivity - Tuesday 19 November
How AI can help (or hinder) your productivity - Thursday 28 November
Local news and opportunities
- Destination Coffs Coast - Marketing Update
- Aviation Marketing Campaign
- North Coast Convention Centre
- Coffs Coast Carols Sponsorship Packages
- State and National Award Recognition
Grant funding and business support
- Coffs Harbour Grant Finder
- Living Carbon Grants
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
- Small Business Cyber Resilience Service
What's On Coffs Coast and major event calendar
Coming Soon - Coffs Coast Business Survey
Later this month, the Economic Development and Tourism Team will release a business sentiment survey to help understand the challenges and opportunities for the region. As the team prepares next year's calendar of training and support, we'd love your input to help strengthen the business community. Please keep your eyes out for the email invitation to participate.
LOCAL BUSINESS EVENTS
Creative Business Sprint Workshop 3: Financial Planning and Budgeting
Learn the basics of cash flow management, business budgeting, and accessing funding opportunities, including applying for grants.
Monday 11 November, 12.00pm - 12.45pm
Innovation Hub Coffs Coast (CHEC)
Doug Knight Drive, Coffs Harbour
Creative Business Sprint Workshop 4: Navigating Legal Foundations
Learn about important legal essentials when setting up shop such as intellectual property protection, contracts, and terms & conditions.
Monday 18 November, 12.00pm - 12.45pm
Innovation Hub Coffs Coast (CHEC)
Doug Knight Drive, Coffs Harbour
Optimise your online business for increased sales
Join us for a free business workshop led by Louis Birks from NORTEC, to learn where your customers are coming from, what they do on your website, and how to make their journey seamless.
- Gain knowledge of various online tools that can help increase your online sales.
- Learn how improving your user experience can drive more sales.
- Create a personalised tracking tool to monitor and improve your sales metrics.
Friday 15 November, 9.30am - 12.30pm, Business @ Yarrila, Level 1 Yarrila Place
27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour
Ground Swell Masterclass with Take 3 for the Sea
In partnership with MidWaste, the team from Take 3 will share the facts behind visitor litter and provide practical solutions - strategies and actions - to help us to preserve our town spaces and stunning natural environments.
Hear firsthand from a panel of Coffs Harbour operators who participated in the very first Ground Swell Litter Lab in 2022, as they share their insights and success stories.
You'll have access to case studies, receive a helpful 50-page toolkit and a path forward - just in time for the summer season.
Monday 18 November, 9.15am - 11.30am, Business @ Yarrila, Level 1 Yarrila Place
27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour
Networking Breakfast with Professor Tyrone Carlin
The Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to welcome Professor Tyrone Carlin, Vice-Chancellor and President of Southern Cross University as distinguished guest speaker for their last networking breakfast for 2024.
Don’t miss this opportunity to network and gain valuable insights from one of the education industry’s leading figures.
Tickets: $45 including hot buffet breakfast
Thursday 28 November, 7.00am - 9.00am
C.ex Coffs, Vernon Street
Free Workshop - Australian HR Institute Bridging Generations: Unlocking Workplace Potential
In today’s diverse and dynamic workforce, understanding and embracing generational differences can fuel collaboration, innovation, and engagement. Join us for an insightful session to explore practical strategies for uniting team members across all age groups, turning potential friction into valuable opportunities for growth and productivity.
Friday 29 November, 10.00am - 12.00pm
Business @ Yarrila, Level 1 Yarrila Place
27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour
LinkedIn Local Coffs Coast Christmas Lunch
LinkedIn Local is all about getting to know the people behind the LinkedIn profiles, however, having a LinkedIn profile is considered optional. This is an excellent opportunity to connect or reconnect with other businesses and friends in Coffs.
Tickets: $25 for lunch. Drinks available to be purchased independently from the bar.
Friday 29 November, 12.00pm - 2.00pm
Aanuka Beach House,
11 Firman Drive, Coffs Harbour
FREE ONLINE TRAINING with NORTEC
How to start a business
Three key learning outcomes:
- How to create a successful business plan, ways to explore your idea and how to commercialise it.
- How to determine your business structure and what type of record keeping you will need.
- A general understanding of your ATO and Legal Obligations.
Tuesday 12 November, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Conquer procrastination and boost your productivity
Three key learning outcomes:
- Understanding procrastination and its effects
- Gain practical tools to manage time, boost focus, and overcome fear
- Create an actionable plan to move ahead
Tuesday 19 November, 11.00am - 1.00pm
How AI can help (or hinder) your productivity
This will be great for you if:
- You’re interested in AI and machine learning for your business, however, want to do it right!
- You’re a content creator, blogger, business owner or marketer, and you want to start using, or use AI better
- You’re just exploring AI and are intrigued to know more
Thursday 28 November, 11.30am - 1.00pm
LOCAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
DESTINATION COFFS COAST - MARKETING UPDATE
Check out this monthly snapshot of Destination Coffs Coast's current and upcoming marketing activities, campaigns, and news stories. These are created and managed by our team, in collaboration with local businesses and partners including Coffs Harbour Airport. Here's what's happening:
- Airport Media Release: Touchdown for the new QantasLink Airbus A220 at Coffs Harbour Airport
- Shop Coffs Coast: https://www.coffscoast.com.au/article/shop-the-coffs-coast/
- Gift a Coffs Coast Experience: https://www.coffscoast.com.au/gift-a-coffs-coast-experience/
- Visit NSW: 10 multi-day hikes in NSW to try (featuring Solitary Islands Coastal Walk)
- Qantas Travel Insider: 11 of the Most Epic Adventures to Have on the Coffs Coast
- Better Homes and Gardens: Full episodes are available on 7+ catchup or check out the clips below.
Episode 38 aired 18 October featuring the Botanic Gardens and the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School.
Episode 40 aired 1 November featuring the Coffs Harbour Marina, Fishermen's Co-op, and Bonville Golf Resort.
ALL COFFS COAST BUSINESSES are invited to share these campaigns in their business marketing. This is a great way to bring people from out of the area to your business - and the content is already created for you!
Aviation Marketing Campaign
Last month we showcased the latest Link Airways inflight magazine as part of a targeted marketing campaign across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (SE Queensland). This month, the Coffs Coast features in the November issue of Qantas inflight magazine - see image below, or click here for the full version (p. 127)
The above feature supports a larger marketing campaign that commenced Monday 28 October and runs until May 2025. The campaign coincides with recently launched A220 CFS-MEL service, and the upcoming Qantas 737 jets as of 16 December 2024 for the CFS-SYD route, offering both economy and business class seating.
Increased digital advertising on websites and apps will complement billboard advertising on bus shelters and urban panels throughout Melbourne.
Transforming the North Coast: A Vision for a New Convention Centre
Insights from a comprehensive feasibility study delivered by respected Urbis Consulting on behalf of Destination North Coast highlight the far reaching game-changing potential of a new Convention and Exhibition Centre for the region.
The Coffs Coast secured both Number 1 and Number 2 recommended development sites to help fill the significant gap in business event infrastructure between the Gold Coast and Newcastle.
Key Insights:
- National Leadership Potential: A facility for up to 1,200 delegates would attract high-profile events previously out of reach.
- Job Creation: The facility could create up to 146 jobs during construction and 272 jobs once operational.
- Economic benefits: Domestic overnight conference visitors to NSW spend an average of $517 per night—133% more than leisure visitors
Coffs Coast Carols Sponsorship Packages
Coffs Coast Carols 2024 is scheduled for Saturday 21 December. As always, the line up will feature local performers, singing, dancing, a ‘special guest’ visit, a variety of food vendors, children’s activities, and exciting grand finale fireworks.
We are inviting local businesses to sponsor this fantastic community event. Please contact the City's Stadium and Major Events team on 0266484950 or coffscoastevents@chcc.nsw.gov.au
Award Recognition
Congratulations to the local businesses and their staff that have recently been awarded top accolades at State and National levels.
BusinessNSW State Awards
Alan Nye from The Physio Movement, Woolgoolga - Outstanding Employee
Australian Institute of Horticulture Annual Awards
The North Coast Regional Botanic Garden received two Green Space Community Awards for:
- Development of a garden that showcases northern regional ecology and international horticultural themes, and
- Support of the botanic garden through volunteer activities, guided tours and fundraising
NSW Master Builders Association Excellence in State Awards
FM Glenn Constructions: The Shoreline - Lifestyle Living Over 55's
Lipman: Yarrila Place - Best use of bricks
Lipman: Yarrila Place - Public Buildings
GRANT FUNDING & BUSINESS SUPPORT
COFFS HARBOUR GRANT FINDER
The City of Coffs Harbour provides a free service for locals to find grants and grant writing tips. Register to be notified of specific grants for your business or organisation.
Living Carbon Grants
If you are a landholder in the North Coast Local Land Services region, you may be eligible to apply for up to $200,000.
This grant program can assist you secure the health of your land, improve productivity, unlock new income streams, or revegetate habitats for threatened or iconic Australian species.
Applications close 30 April 2025.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
The NSW Government is now accepting applications for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491), specifically for Pathways 1 and 3, for the 2024-25 program year.
Pathway 1 requires applicants to work in a nominated occupation in regional NSW for six months, while Pathway 3 is for recent graduates from regional institutions.
Small Business Cyber Resilience Service
The new Small Business Cyber Resilience Service provides free, tailored support for small businesses to improve their cyber security or bounce back after a cyber incident.
The service is available to small businesses (with 19 employees or less, including sole traders) to get expert advice on cyber security concerns.
WHAT'S ON @ COFFS COAST
Tidal Sounds Music Festival
16 November
Girrwaa Festival
16 November
'Unboxed': TAFE Creative Industries Showcase
22 November
Coffs Coast Craft Beer Festival
7 December
Please reach out to our team at City of Coffs Harbour if you have any questions.
Check out our 6 degrees business support website for business events and resources.
For tourism industry and visitor economy business support and information, go to our Coffs Coast tourism industry hub.
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