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April Edition:
- 2022 Victorian Tourism Awards
- Business Development Program 2022
- Business Events are back!
- Visual Merchandising one-on-one
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2022 Victorian Tourism Awards - Nominations Now Open
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Nominate now for the 2022 Victorian Tourism Awards
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For over 30 years, the Australian Tourism Awards have showcased and celebrated the leaders in tourism excellence. The Awards encourage businesses to meet and exceed industry standards and play an integral role in acknowledging business excellence, outstanding innovation and collaboration. The Victorian Tourism Awards recognise winners in 28 categories and three individual excellence categories.
Feedback from last years winners:
Fiona McColley - Sandbar Motel, Lakes Entrance (2021 Silver Winner: 3-3.5 Star Accommodation):
Entering the Victorian Tourism Awards was the best business decision that we have made. It is a lot of work to put your entry together, but the end result is a clear and concise understanding of your business. The process ensures that you have all of the basics in place to run your business successfully and helps you to create a plan to move forward. Being acknowledged at state level is great for our area, not just an individual business. I would be happy to offer my help and support to other local businesses who are considering entry into the awards this year.
Rebecca Hayes - Beachcomber Holiday Units, Lakes Entrance (Silver Winner: Self-Contained Accommodation): After a very disrupted two years we decided to enter the Victorian Tourism Awards. We spent our time when we were unable to have customers, working on our business both physically by doing renovations and internally by working on our online presence. As we had managed to reinvent and change our business we felt that we needed to continue to move our business forward by pushing the limits and entering the Victorian Tourism Awards. As it was our first time entering we were able to receive a mentor to assist us with our submission which was invaluable to us. Writing our submission was a massive process (over 100 hours of work), it was rewarding and it opened my eyes to what I need to do more work on and what we are getting right. We didn’t think that we would have a chance at being a finalist, so to be named a Finalist was a big highlight of the year for us. Then to be awarded a Silver Trophy for our section at the Gala Night at the Melbourne Town Hall was unbelievable. We would highly recommend to anyone considering entering to just go ahead and give it a go.
Key Dates
Nominations close Monday, 6 June
Submissions due Tuesday, 30 August
Find out more here. |
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Business Development Program 2022
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Register your interest now
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 range of business growth programs provide exciting new opportunities to strengthen your business. The following programs are now open for registrations of interest. Participation is FREE, however, places are limited so make sure you register your interest via the links below!
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For a second year in a row Tourism 101 is a bespoke program for tourism businesses.
Presented by Sally Curtis from Destination Yellow and Ailsa Page from AP Marketing, the program will run over 5 x 2 hour online workshops and is designed to create confidence in recovery efforts and this new climate.
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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.”
Meet your facilitator and get excited!
Dates to keep in mind:
Wednesday, 27 April: 6.00pm – information session
Mondays, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 June: 6.00pm - 8.00pm – workshops
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Ailsa Page from AP Marketing Works presents this years social media program in two sets of workshops, to improve the way businesses run their social media.
- Reset for 2022 – Finding your Business and Marketing Mojo (2-hour online workshop)
- Improve the way you do social media (3 two-hour online workshops), followed by a 10-day Bootcamp.
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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, feel isolated or overwhelmed and 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.
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 providing an overview of the program, dates for workshops and group sessions will be held for participants on Tuesday, 26 April at 10.00 am. Register your interest below.
The first workshop will run 28 April 10.00am - 12.00pm.
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Business Events are back!
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Introduction to Business Events Workshop
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Business Events Victoria in partnership with the Victorian State Government and Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) are pleased to deliver a FREE in person business events workshop in Lakes Entrance.
This interactive workshop aims to provide you with an overview of the business events sector and is suited to anyone interesting in expanding into the business, meetings and conference markets. Come along and hear from the experts!
Lakes Entrance Golf Club - Tuesday, 3 May, 9.00am - 4.30pm
Places are strictly limited so book early! Registrations close on Friday 29 April.
Book your space here!
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Business Event Exposure - Get out there!
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Calling all Group and Event Operators!
After a challenging two years in the Business Events industry, Council is developing a fresh digital brochure showcasing our region and operators as the perfect choice for corporate Victoria to hold their next function, conference, launch or retreat in East Gippsland.
Are you an accommodation, venue, service provider or experience that can host an event or group with at least 10 people? Would you like to get your business details included in the brochure?
Find out how to get involved. The opportunity is open until 15 May. Spots are limited!
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Visual Merchandising with Kylie!
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Book a FREE, One-on-One Visual Merchandising session with Kylie Fordham at your premises and learn how to make the most of your visual space to get them in and keep them coming back!
With over 30 years’ experience in Retail and Visual Merchandising, East Gippslander, Kylie Fordham from Smashing Windows Design and Display shares her expertise and insights, offering tips and tricks for creating a Visual Impact in your space to help build your image, increase traffic and improve sales.
Sessions are running from 26 April to 30 June on a first come first served basis.
The time is NOW to offer your customers an unforgettable shopping experience! Book your individual session directly with Kylie NOW!
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Net Zero for Business - upcoming webinars
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The meaning of "Net Zero"?
Understand what Net Zero means for your business and how you can grab the opportunities of decarbonisation and net zero supply chains.
The webinar and Q&A will be presented by Barbara Albert (Co-CEO, 100% Renewables).
Wednesday, 27 April, 11.00am – 12.30pm.
Register here for the webinar.
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How to become certified?
Find out how to make your businesses net zero certified with Climate Active and:
- Learn about Climate Active.
- Understand the Climate Active certification process.
- Gain insight from case studies.
Wednesday, 18 May, 11.00am – 12.30pm
Register here for the webinar.
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Sale Defence Industry Briefing
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Business support and grants
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Small Business Ventilation Program - Now Open
This support has been designed to help businesses implement new guidance on building ventilation to reduce the risk of spreading COVID‑19 and to keep customers COVIDSafe. The Small Business Ventilation Guide is also available, which provides simple tips to help businesses improve ventilation.
Eligible businesses can now apply for 2 types of support:
Applications are open until Friday 24 June, or until funds are exhausted.
This program is a part of a broader Business Stimulus Package.
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500 hospitality recruits ease staff shortages
Great news for hospitality businesses right across Victoria looking for staff. A current investment will support 500 jobseekers into small and medium hospitality businesses in need of workers. Jobs Victoria is getting them job-ready with paid training, uniforms and tools of the trade.Email jobsvictoria@ecodev.vic.gov.au or find more information here.
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Business Tools Overview
For further information on grants, vouchers, assistance programs, awards, click here.
For information on starting, planning, operating and growing a business, click here.
Information for start-up businesses is available here.
Information on expanding businesses overseas and exporting is available here.
Information on reducing your energy costs and boosting productivity is available here
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Information for agribusinesses
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On Farm Emergency Water Scheme
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On Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Scheme is open to farmers. Those who received a rebate under the initial scheme, can now apply for the 25 per cent rebate again under round two and receive up to $25,000 (GST exclusive), for costs associated with the purchase and installation of eligible activities that improve resilience to drought.
Apply for the scheme or find further information.
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How to work in the Food and Fibre Industry
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Information for tourism businesses
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ATDW - Your most basic form of business marketing
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The free ATDW listings offer from Visit Victoria has been extended to the 30 June 2022. If you need some help creating or renewing your Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing, or would like some tips on optimising it?
Upcoming dates: Wednesday, 11 May, 12.00pm-1.00pm/ Tuesday 7 June, 10.00am-11.00am
Register here for a free, 45 minute webinar hosted by the ATDW Team at Visit Victoria. Webinars are conducted online via Microsoft Teams and open to all Victorian tourism operators and industry staff.
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International Tourism for beginners
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Destination Gippsland invites you to attend a webinar all about the Travel Trade on Wednesday 5 May from 11.00am to 12.00pm.
To gain an understanding of the inbound (international) travel market or to brush up your knowledge, this presentation on the basics of how to work with the international ‘travel trade’ is ideal. You will gain insights on commissions, rates, pricing for product and a whole lot more from Paul Cooper - Sydney Melbourne Touring.
Open to Gippsland Tourism Operators.
To register your interest please see here.
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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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