Operate a small business? Here’s why you’ll love the CBR Small Business Expo

Posted on 24 April, 2024

Do you operate or work in one of the 35,000 small businesses that call Canberra home?

If so, then you know that while it may take a village to raise a child, it takes a city to get a business off the ground, to keep the lights on and to take it to new heights. We would know. HerCanberra started in 2011 with a one-page blueprint written by our founder Amanda Whitley plus a laptop, a DIY website and, well, herself.

Across the last 13 years, our small team has also had the privilege of watching hundreds of other small businesses get off the ground – and we know better than anyone that no journey of this sort is ever without its challenges.

Every business will need the expertise of a myriad of local businesses to survive and thrive. That’s why the ACT Government is set to hold the first-ever CBR Small Business Expo on Thursday 9 May.

Aimed at small businesses at any stage of their journey – emerging, established, still a drawing on the back of a napkin – the Expo is completely free. It will feature a wide range of stalls from local businesses, panel discussions on key topics for small business in Canberra, like how to use AI in your business, and for those still on napkins, a session with industry experts on how to start a business.

Martin Rogers from Realise Business at the ACT Government Business Support Hub.

Information sessions on how to grow and build your workforce and keynote speakers from industry and government, including Beyond Blue Greg Jennings who’ll be speaking about managing mental health and wellbeing as a business owner.

While this is the inaugural event, the Expo has already had to expand to a bigger venue – the Budawang Pavilion in Exhibition Park – to accommodate the strong interest of exhibitors, meaning you’ll get to mingle with close to 100 local business, industry and government stallholders across the day.

“The Expo is about bringing government and businesses together in one place to connect, learn and expand their networks,” says Karen Stewart-Moore, part of the ACT Government’s team organising the Expo.

“We hope businesses find it a valuable opportunity to connect face to face with the people who can help them.”

Kim and Mason from the Access Canberra Business Assist team.

Karen says the vendors range from finance, legal to creative services to consultancies and mentoring programs and everything in between, with panels and information sessions spotlighting everything from how to improve sustainability, to how to market your business and leverage social media.

Beyond Blue, Access Canberra, WorkSafe, ACT TradeStart, Canberra Business Advice and Support Service, Canberra Women in Business, Canberra Business Chamber, Master Builders Association, IP Australia, the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, will all be present on the day, ensuring visitors can connect to the industry and government.

Candice and Anna. Lighthouse Innovation, CBASS Article. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

Karen adds that the high demand for stall spots exceeded their expectations for the event’s maiden year, which seems to indicate how much business owners are seeking to make connections.

“We’re really pleased to get such a strong response. It was a commitment under the ACT Government’s Small Business Strategy to run a pilot small business expo, so we’re happy the response reflects that this is something the Canberra business community wants. ”

While attendance is free, registrations are encouraged, which will also allow you to access the list of exhibitors, program and event details, all on your phone.