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March Edition:
- Business Development Program 2022
- Startup Masterclass Series
- Business support and grants
- Information for tourism businesses
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Business Development Program 2022
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Registrations of interest are now open
Are you looking for ways to grow your business? Do you need some help with your online marketing and promotion? Is work/life balance presenting some challenges for you?
Council’s 2022 Business Development Program provides you with fantastic opportunities to build and grow your business. The program is now open for registrations of interest from businesses across East Gippsland.
There is no cost to participate, however, places are limited for each program so make sure you register your interest via the links below!
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Tourism 101
Commencing in May
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Running for the second year in a row, Tourism 101 is a bespoke program for tourism businesses in East Gippsland. Presented by Sally Curtis and Alysia Brandenberg from Destination Yellow, the program will provide you with practical support and advice to start, continue and strengthen your recovery journey. This program is for sole traders, tour operators, accommodation providers and visitor services providers in the tourism sector.
Feedback from last year:
“The facilitators demonstrated a wealth of knowledge and the guest speakers were a highlight each week. Great concise information was provided.”
Tourism 101 will run over 5 x 2 hour online workshops and is designed to create confidence in recovery efforts and for operators to shift their mindset and feel empowered being able to identify current opportunities and the ability to reboot their business in this new climate.
The focus will be on the fundamentals of tourism marketing with a strong emphasis on the changing needs of customers, new opportunities for competitive advantage and enhancing customer experience in COVID times. Guest speakers, case studies and break out room participation for networking and individual attention and tailoring of information will inform the overall workshop series design.
Topics covered include:
- Fundamentals of tourism marketing
- The changing landscape
- Keeping motivated when things keep changing
- Effects of COVID on business
- Strategies for profitable flexibility
- Strong policies/procedures
- Customer experience – what does that look like now in a COVID world
- New expectations, new world
- Opportunities for new markets, tapping into them
- Your NEW competitive advantage
- Turning the pandemic into a win for you!
Dates to keep in mind:
Wednesday 27 April: 6.00 pm – information session
Mondays 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 June: 6:00pm - 8:00pm – workshops
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Social Media Workshops
Commencing 12 May
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Ailsa Page from AP Marketing Works presents Social Media, an online program designed to improve the way businesses run their social media.
This year our social media program is split into two wonderful sets of workshops, including a bootcamp:
- Reset for 2022 – Finding your Business and Marketing Mojo: 2-hour online workshop to help businesses reduce overwhelm, find focus, enthusiasm and set goals and actions for 2022.
- Social Media – Improve the way you do social media: 3 two-hour online workshops plus a 10-day Social Media Bootcamp.
Workshop topics:
1. Strategy – How Social Media Works: Pros and Cons of Business Social Media, how is it different from personal social media?, key to making it work. How to determine the right strategy for your business.
This workshop will offer you the opportunity to sharpen your existing social media strategy - or to create one.
2. Creating Great Content: What content is appropriate for each platform, what are different ways to generate content ideas including re-purposing content.
3. Changes and Current State of Play in Social Media. This workshop brings together a panel of social media specialists to discuss key changes, current trends, and future directions for social media.
10-day Social Media Bootcamp: This boot camp will commence upon completion of the Social Media workshops and it will help you get back in the habit of social media and help boost your success on different platforms.
Feedback from last year:
“For me, all these workshops were valuable. We are starting up a new business and my experience is virtually nil in this area. This is the one aspect I was most nervous about and dreading, but now I am excited and feeling more confident moving forward. Great course and fantastic tutor, engaging with infectious enthusiasm!”
The dates for the Social Media Program are as follows:
Reset for 2022: 12 May, 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Social Media: 13 May, 7 June and 14 June, 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm
10-day Bootcamp: 17 – 27 June
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BizGrowth Accelerator for Women in Business
Commencing end of April
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Have you had some challenges?
Do you sometimes feel isolated and overwhelmed?
Are you looking for work/life balance?
The Survive, Revive, Thrive BizGrowth Accelerator program is presented by Christine Boucher, founder of EmpowHer for women in business who want to connect and grow their business.
The BizGrowth Accelerator program for women in business is a series of 6 workshops and 6 group coaching sessions as well as 2 self-paced online programs.
Workshop 1: Stress to Strength – it’s up to you!
Workshop 2: Emotional Intelligence is Key
Workshop 3: Healthy Communication Skills for Workplace Wellbeing
Workshop 4: Work/life Balance to Prevent Burnout
Workshop 5: Rattled to Resilient
Workshop 6: Motivation
Participants that show commitment to this program will also be offered tickets to join EmpowHer Networking Events throughout 2022.
These events include a guest speaker, networking with local women in business and leadership, as well as finger food.
Feedback from last year:
“Thanks so much for this incredible program. I’ve had so many take outs that I’m compelled to go back and write my top 10, so I can keep them front and centre. This program really couldn’t have come at a better time, and I feel so fortunate to have been a participant and met some great women along the way.”
An online introductory session will be held for participants on Tuesday 26 April at 10.00 am. You'll be provided with an overview of the program, dates for workshops and group sessions, find out how to access the online tools, and participate in a Q&A session. Register your interest below.
The first workshop will run 28 April 10.00 am - 12.00 pm.
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Master of Business Administration
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Designed for small business owners, entrepreneurs, leaders and those with the innate drive to rise up the ladder, this program gives you the competitive edge you need to upskill and make your mark. Study our MBA and you are destined to be a new kind of leader.
To inspire genuine change within your organisation and community, and along the way, transform your career into something remarkable. Challenge the way you think about business, decision making and your own management style and give yourself the perspective and experience to succeed in senior roles, no matter what discipline you're coming from.
This is achieved by co-design of the course with Runway, an entrepreneurial ecosystem that delivers experiential programs to validate, accelerate and scale businesses. The University's approach to learning means you'll study with the group of people throughout the entire program, and potentially work alongside them after you graduate.
Here's how it works:
- Over 18 months, you'll complete one course at a time over a six-week period (except your project).
- During this period, you'll attend four full days of classes.
- You'll complete the rest of your course online.
For more information visit Master of Business Administration - Federation University Australia
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Procurement and Tender Writing Workshop
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The Committee for Gippsland invites you to a Procurement and Tender Writing Workshop as part of the GROW - Bushfire Recovery Initiative.
- Learn how to access project works, government and private
- Learn the key principles of submitting a quality tender
- Hear what support is available to your business in regard to procurement advice and opportunities
Venue: Lakes Entrance RSL
Date: Wednesday 30 March
Time: 11.00 am - 1.00 pm
Please send your RSVP by COB Tuesday, 29 March.
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Startup Masterclass Series
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Building a Successful Team and Culture
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Registrations Open
Date: Wednesday 6 April
Time: 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Location: The Criterion Hotel, Sale Vic 3850
Register here:
Startup Gippsland Masterclass
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Business support and grants
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Business Stimulus Package
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The Victorian Government has announced a $200 million stimulus package to support businesses and entice Victorians back to enjoy their favourite food and hospitality experiences across Victoria.
The package includes:
- State-Wide Dining Vouchers: expected to open 29 March
- Entertainment Voucher Scheme: expected to open 29 March
- Regional Travel Voucher Scheme: will open on 23 March, for travel between 8 April and 27 May (further details below)
- Ventilation Voucher Program: will open mid-March
- Small Business Digital Adaptation Program: will open 28 March
- Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring Program: this program is open
- Jobs Victoria Fund: will open from April
Read more here.
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Bushfire Recovery Local Community Project Grants
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The Local Community Projects Grants, funded under the Local Economic Recovery (LER) program, will fund local projects vital for community recovery in bushfire-affected regions.
The grants are available for projects that build a sense of community pride and connectedness, supporting the critical role communities play in leading their own recovery.
Applications close 11.59 pm Monday 11 April 2022
Find out more here.
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Jobs Victoria Fund Subsidies
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Wage subsidies of up to $20,000 per employee are available now, to support businesses to hire new staff or increase hours for current workers. To be eligible for a wage subsidy, jobs must be for at least 19 hours per week (or less if the employee has a disability or provides constant care) over a period of twelve months.
To qualify for the subsidy, you must employ someone from at least one of the priority groups who have been most impacted by the pandemic. If you meet all the eligibility criteria and supply the necessary information, you will receive funding, subject to availability of funds and conditions. To find out more go to Jobs Victoria.
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Information for tourism businesses
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Destination Gippsland held our first tourism forum of 2022 at the Waterwheel Beach Tavern in Lake Tyers Beach, with over 100 Gippsland industry representatives, local and state government representatives and guest speakers in attendance.
We heard updates from Tourism Australia, Visit Victoria, Victoria Tourism Industry Council, Business Events Victoria, Tourism Tribe, Parks Victoria, Wayfairer and Ecotourism Australia. Speakers gave an insight into how the last two years are shaping the future focus of tourism in Victoria and Gippsland.
Local case studies from East Gippsland Variety Tours, Red Bluff Brewers and Metung Hot Springs also provided an exciting look into future projects occurring in the region.
Holding the first tourism forum post COVID-19 in East Gippsland was very important and honoured a bushfire recovery commitment made in 2020. After postponements due to COVID restrictions it was great to hold the forum with a room full of Gippsland tourism industry two weeks ago.
Destination Gippsland are holding three further forums in 2022: Bass Coast Shire - May, Wellington Shire - July and Baw Baw Shire - October.
A recording of the forum will be available on the Destination Gippsland website shortly.
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New travel vouchers to boost Victorian tourism
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Victorians have the chance to snap up one of 150,000 travel vouchers, with the popular scheme returning as part of the business stimulus package to support local businesses and jobs.
The Seniors Travel Voucher Scheme, already open for registration, will provide a $200 reimbursement to eligible seniors who spend $400 or more on paid accommodation, tours and experiences. To be eligible, residents must hold a valid Victorian Seniors Card or Seniors Business Discount Card.
The Victorian Travel Voucher Scheme will open on Wednesday 23 March. The 140,000 vouchers will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis and will close once the allocation has been exhausted. Successful applicants must spend a minimum of $400 and stay for at least two-nights in paid accommodation such as hotels and motels, serviced apartments, caravan parks, camping sites, farm stays and private holiday rentals.
Vouchers will be valid for travel between 8 April and 27 May.
For more information on the Seniors and Victorian Travel Voucher Schemes and to apply, go to vic.gov.au
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One step closer to Sea to Summit nature experience
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The proposed Sea to Summit experience in East Gippsland is a step closer, with research into the multi-day walking trail showing strong support from stakeholders and the local community. The release of market research findings as part of planning for the walk will take visitors from Errinundra National Park to Cape Conran Coastal Park.
The market research included a review of the walker market, focus groups, a national survey of walkers and an assessment of various walking concepts. The research shows strong support from stakeholders and the local community to expand nature-based tourism in East Gippsland, and that an experience like Sea to Summit is expected to attract more visitors to the region. It also revealed a strong interest in shorter multi-day walking options in the area – a concept which will be further explored as part of a feasibility study over the coming months.
Planning for the proposed route is being done in partnership with East Gippsland Shire Council, Destination Gippsland, local community, industry and Traditional Owners. Sea to Summit will be an important investment which will support regional tourism, create jobs and drive economic recovery in East Gippsland.
For more information on Sea to Summit, including a summary of the market research visit vic.gov.au.
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You can get in touch with the Economic Development Team by phoning 5153 9500 or via email.
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