Redland City Council is throwing its support behind local businesses by sponsoring a major business and jobs expo to help get the sector back on its feet and to foster more employment opportunities.
Mayor Karen Williams said that in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Redlands Coast Business and Jobs Expo was the perfect opportunity to support local businesses doing it tough.
“This year has been incredibly challenging for so many of our local businesses due to COVID-19 and this expo is a great opportunity to help them connect and market their products and services to hundreds of other business owners,” she said.
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“It is backed by a host of local business industry groups and sponsors and is set to be the biggest business-to-business marketplace to be held in the Redlands Coast and Logan regions.
“The expo ties in closely with Council’s economic strategy and our approach to helping businesses thrive through organising workshops, providing access to information on export opportunities and training, supporting research and development, and attracting investment.
“The expo also includes a mentor hub and panel sessions for women in business, and a jobs area with employment agencies, group training, resume writing, workshops and a jobs board.”
Cr Williams said the business expo was just one way Council was helping local businesses recover.
“We know our local businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and Council is pleased to be able to support our local business sector,” she said.
“As well as sponsoring local events such as the business and jobs expo, this year Council has also helped local businesses steer their way through the unfolding COVID crisis, with more than $250,000 in grants awarded to 81 businesses to help them restructure their operations or to access professional advice.”
The business and jobs expo will also include the launch of a 12-month regional trial of the ASPIRE digital trading platform, which has been in market in Victoria for five years.
Cr Williams said Redland City Council – along with Gold Coast and Logan councils – would participate in the CCIQ ecoBiz ASPIRE Pilot so local businesses could access the online marketplace to trade waste and defray waste disposal costs.
“The ASPIRE platform allows businesses to source and dispose of unwanted items that would normally go to landfill and has the potential to deliver environmental and economic benefits for the region,” Cr Williams said.
“Stop by the ASPIRE stand at the expo or visit aspiresme.com for more information.”
DETAILS
When: 10am to 4pm on Thursday 19 November 2020
Where: Alexandra Hills Hotel and Convention Centre, McDonald and Finucane Roads, Alexandra Hills
Cost: Entry by gold coin, and there is a cost to exhibit
