October Business Month 2025 launches with 200 events to strengthen Territory businesses

1 October 2025

October Business Month kicks off today under the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s year of action, certainty and security — headlined by two of Australia’s leading entrepreneurs and a program of 200+ events to boost Territory business.

This year’s theme, to Play to our Strengths, will focus on digitalisation, using AI to implement technology; workforce attraction and talent retention; and resilience in business.

The opening keynote event is in Alice Springs on 8 October with Carolyn Creswell, founder and CEO of Australia’s favourite muesli brand, Carman’s Kitchen. Tickets are still available for this event. 

Carolyn will then head to Darwin for the Women in Business Lunch where tickets are close to sold out.

For the last keynote event, Territory businesses will hear from Simon Griffiths, social entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of the eco-friendly toilet paper brand, Who Gives A Crap, in Darwin on 29 October. Tickets to this event are still available.

Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill said Territory businesses should not miss the chance to be part of OBM and its fantastic calendar of events.

"The CLP launched OBM 30 years ago - and we’ve never stopped backing local business.

“OBM is giving Territory businesses the tools to grow, create jobs and help to rebuild our economy,” said Ms Cahill.

Each keynote speaker event will showcase a panel of local Territory Success Story (TSS) speakers, including a diverse range of Territory business owners and entrepreneurs, each of whom bring their own local story to inspire and share with the business community.

This year’s TSS line-up includes Paul Graham from Asbuild, Laura-Jane (LJ) Devlin from Triptic, Crystal Pollitt from Bark n’ Bath, Anneliese Grazioli from Hanky Panky Lounge and Bar Kokomo, Dan Richards from Humpty Doo Barramundi, Vicki-Leigh Lettice from McDonalds NT,  Anita Synnott from Natural Territory, Brooke Summers from Studio B Designs and Art by Brooke, and Doug McBean from North Horizon Heli Adventures and NT Heli Ops. 

OBM 2025 will deliver the Business Support Series, providing practical support for small to medium businesses right across the Territory.

These sessions provide advice, tools and insights to help business owners and managers strengthen operations, build resilience and seize opportunities.

Our 70+ event partners will deliver a wide variety of events, workshops and networking opportunities, some highlights include:

• First Darwin Rural Business Connect Network event, hosted by AusIndustry
• Economic Outlook, for Darwin and Alice Springs, hosted by National Australia Bank
• Cyber Support for your Business supported by the Department of Corporate and Digital Development
• Business Financial Literacy Bootcamp, hosted by Business Enterprise Centre NT
• AI in Action, hosted by Captovate
• Financial Literacy, hosted by Moore Australia
• How to Increase Productivity and Performance in Your Team, hosted by EASA Inc
• Train Your Own AI with ChatGPT Projects and Custom GPTs, hosted by Darwin Innovation Hub
• Small Business Sustainability: Are you ready for what’s coming? hosted by City of Darwin
• Business Support Showcase, hosted by the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations

Book now at obm.nt.gov.au

Media contact - Alicia Wilson - 0419 607 950