Whole-of-shire workshop for small businesses to plan a sustainable future

Small business owners and operators in the Scenic Rim will begin to shape a more sustainable economic future for the region at a whole-of-shire strategic planning workshop on Monday 1 December. “This workshop is the culmination of the 2008 Building Sustainable Small Business (BSSB) program” said coordinator Jan McGregor. ”Lots of enthusiastic discussion and ideas have been generated throughout the BSSB workshops and activities this year and this event will be a great opportunity for focused small business planning and networking across the region,,” she said. “We encourage businesses that have participated in the BSSB program during 2008 and any other local business operators who are interested in a sustainable economic future for our region to come along on December 1” said Ms McGregor. The workshop includes special guest speaker Rory O’Connor, who is the Education Director of the Yugambeh Museum Language and Heritage Research Centre at Beenleigh as well as a journalist, marketing specialist and event organiser. In the past few months the Yugambeh Centre has won two prestigious national awards and hosted its fourth, highly successful Drumley Walk from Beaudesert to Nerang. In addition, two interactive workshop sessions will be facilitated by Dr Sally MacKinnon of the Ethos Foundation. These will focus on identifying key regional issues, challenges, opportunities and strengths for small businesses and the regional economy as well as begin developing a sustainability vision for local businesses and the economy. The outcomes of the workshop will be given to the Scenic Rim Regional Council, and state and federal government. During the morning workshop the first-ever Scenic Rim Region Sustainable Business Directory will also be launched. The workshop runs between 9am and 12.30pm at the Logan and Albert Hotel and will be followed by a networking lunch. Attendance is free. For more information about the workshop go to www.bssb.org.au. To RSVP for the event, contact Scenic Rim Regional Council Economic Development Department on 5540-5281 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone program co-ordinator, Jan McGregor on 55333144 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . RSVP’s are requested by Wednesday 26 November. The Building Sustainable Small Business program is an Australian Government funded initiative under the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business program and is jointly hosted by the Ethos Foundation and the Scenic Rim Regional Council. End.