Latest Announcements

The Victorian Government has just launched the Investing in Manufacturing Technology grants program. Grants of up to $250,000 are available on a competitive basis to assist growing and competitive manufacturers to purchase and integrate new technologies into their business.

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce has announced plans for a business super conference, as the Chamber's new executive management team begins its tenure.

The Fair Work Act’s new General Protections provisions have made it far more difficult for employers to successfully defend dismissal claims made against them.

G21 is the formal alliance of government, business and community organisations, working together to improve people's lives in the G21 region.

The Key Economic Indicators Report monitors the region's economy by reviewing the monthly unemployment rate, job advertisements, monthly domestic and non-domestic building activity and quarterly median house prices. The report complements the annual Economic Indicators Bulletin.

The Honorary Justice Office is currently seeking to recruit Bail Justices and Justices of the Peace in the Geelong region...

The Department of Business and Innovation (DBI) Geelong team are coordinating a free seminar on Export to the United States of America. The Seminar will be led by in-market expert, Brian Carnahan, Senior Export Manager from the Victorian Government Business Office in San Francisco.

Read the Latest Small Business Case Study on "ArtRocks"

Once upon a time, there was a monetary union without a joint fiscal policy. The union was in turmoil due to concerns about sovereign solvency, financial system balance sheets, depression style unemployment in its periphery and no plan to reinstate desperately needed economic growth...

The Department of Business and Innovation Geelong team is coordinating a free seminar on Export to South Korea and China. This seminar would be ideal for those involved in the following sectors:
• Agribusiness
• Education
• Food & Wine
• ICT

Register now to attend one of 14 FREE briefing workshops at a time and location to suit you. The Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Awards provide an excellent opportunity to conduct a ‘health check’ for your business enabling you to showcase your business and be in the running for recognition as one of Geelong’s best.

The Key Economic Indicators Report monitors the region's economy by reviewing the monthly unemployment rate, job advertisements, monthly domestic and non-domestic building activity and quarterly median house prices. The report complements the annual Economic Indicators Bulletin

Westpac Australian Weekly - Week beginning 30 January 2012

IS YOUR BUSINESS AT RISK?
ARE YOU READY FOR 30 JANUARY 2012?

Designing and Building more Sustainable Homes

The Geelong Chamber seeks your help to support a $3.7mil funding application by the City of Greater Geelong to the Regional Development Australia Fund for infrastructure development within the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct.

Read this article from the Australian Financial Review on the importance of backing up your data.

VECCI understands that the concept of business sustainability can be a daunting one. To help you adapt to a carbon-constrained economy, we’ve created the online sustainability program www.growmethemoney.com.au.

VECCI short course to be delivered in Geelong for the first half of 2012.

Westpac Australian Weekly - Week beginning 23 January 2012

Bike Safe is encouraging local businesses to become Bicycle Friendly by supporting their staff and customers with suitable infrastructure.

Westpac Australian Weekly - Week beginning 16 January 2012

Free workshops to help small and medium enterprises plan for business disruptions.

Providing practical assistance to employers whose service delivery levels, expansion plans or day to day activities are being hindered by skills shortages.

The Key Economic Indicators Report monitors the region's economy by reviewing the monthly unemployment rate, job advertisements, monthly domestic and non-domestic building activity and quarterly median house prices. The report complements the annual Economic Indicators Bulletin.

The December 2011 Sensis® Business Index saw business confidence among SMEs increase, rising 12 percentage points to a net balance of 27 per cent, reversing most of last quarter’s decline. Businesses cited being established and experienced in their business operations, providing necessary products and services and expecting conditions to improve as reasons for their stronger confidence this quarter.

Enhancing Retail Skils

DBI Export Seminars: Middle East & Hong Kong / Southern China.
Two free seminars will be held in Geelong. For more information..

How to prepare your business to target the Global Seafood Market

Electricity Distributors remain confident in smart meter safety

The Key Economic Indicators Report monitors the region's economy by reviewing the monthly unemployment rate, job advertisements, monthly domestic and non-domestic building activity and quarterly median house prices. The report complements the annual Economic Indicators Bulletin.

International expert tells Geelong how to get retail right

Victorian retailers will get a chance to brush up their skills at a series of five free workshops, to be hosted by the Victorian Coalition Government through Small Business Victoria in partnership with the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) Retail Institute...

The City of Greater Geelong in conjunction with key business groups has created a business events calendar to help with planning business events in Geelong.

Read an update about the CitiPower Powercor rollout for your information. In summary, the rollout is proceeding while a Government Review is being carried out. A safety review by Energy Safe Victoria has been completed. A cost benefit analysis is still underway. To date, CitiPower and Powercor have installed 450,000 smart meters in the two networks.

V/Line is offering Geelong business operators the opportunity to participate in a shopping campaign designed to attract Melburnians to shop and spend their pre-Christmas dollars in regional locations.

Watch our new online video for practical tips on how to grow your business strategically

This annual event, in its 7th year, celebrates the achievements of the region’s finest researchers.

Expressions of Interest for Round 2 of the Broadband-Enabled Innovation Program opened on Monday, 10 October and close on Friday, 4 November 2011.

Monday 24th October 2011, 5.30pm
Café on Track, The Gordon, Fenwick St, Geelong

Your invitation to take part in this pilot campaign.

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce has expressed concern about the impact on local business of V/Line's "Come Shopping with V/Line" pilot initiative .

News Geelong Report: The latest legal Hot Topics for Business

The practical implications of the new Australian Consumer Law & Personal Property Securities regime.

Arguably not since the introduction of GST has there been a more urgent need for businesses to review and revise their business practices, procedures and documentation than now. With the recent changes to national consumer law and the impending implementation of the Personal Property Securities Act (PPS Act), businesses need to take proactive steps to protect their businesses...

Presented by the Department of Business and Innovation, please find attached a flyer inviting attendance at a free seminar entitled "Export to the Middle East".

Unconventional monetary policy and bank liquidity support returned to centre stage in September and early October. The US Fed commenced “Operation Twist”; the ECB broadened its liquidity supplying operations; and the BoE re-ignited its asset purchase programme. The global real economy weakened on a broad front over the month, with the most timely indicators describing a material deterioration in business activity.

The Reiby Institute has delivered its 2011 research report which for the second year running shows a correlation between numbers of women on boards and higher returns on equity (RoE).

Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith today announced that organisations supporting youth engagement can now apply for funding from the Victorian Coalition Government's $12.3 million 2012-2014 Engage! grant program.

Read this month's Key Economic Indicators provided by City of Greater Geelong

The SmartCompany Web Awards 2011 will celebrate and showcase the very best in website innovation, design and development. This year we will reveal the top business websites in the Australian SME community.

The Gordon Recognises Geelong, a skills recognition campaign by The Gordon has received state recognition at the annual Victorian Training Awards on 2 September.

Read the response from David Koch, MP, Member for Western Victoria, Government Whip (Council) to the Chamber’s submission on Income Tax.

Business confidence levels improved a little in July, up 2 to +2 index points.
(An Index above zero indicates that optimists outweigh pessimists)
Heightened concerns over a US debt default (which was of particular concern during the survey period), general uncertainty about global growth, as well as concerns for rising interest rates domestically appear to be weighing on business confidence levels. The current level of confidence remains below the average. read more….

The July Chamber of Commerce After 5 Function provided an opportunity for me to share the Give Where You Live story with members present on the night.
Commencing as Geelong & District Community Chest in 1954, then as United Way Geelong Region – and now, in 2011, emerging as Give Where You Live, this organisation continues its mission of supporting those facing disadvantage in this region. Last year, we allocated in excess of $2.4 million to 70+ local service organisations. Read more...

Just released, information on our next Geelong Briefing session for 5th Oct 2011 (9-11am) covering new Work Health & Safety Laws.

Read the response from Ben Hindmarsh, Chief of Staff, Office of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services to the Chamber’s submission on Safety Concerns in Central Geelong

The Australian Government is calling for applications for the new $126 million Emerging Renewables Program which will be administered by the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE). The Program will provide support for the development of renewable energy and enabling technologies in Australia across the innovation chain.

Read the response from Bill Shorten, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation to the Chamber’s submission on Income Tax.

An Australian human resources company has been left red-faced after receiving an official warning from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching the Spam Act, 2003.

VECCI and Enterprise Connect invite you to join business efficiency expert Alan Pears and a great line-up of Australian manufacturers who have implemented resource efficiency practices to drive their business success and improve their bottom line.

Plan your Geelong VECCI training for rest of 2011

The City of Greater Geelong and the Local Learning and Employment Network with the support of a range of project partners are undertaking a survey of businesses to better understand skill shortages that exist in our Region…

The month of July began with the sovereign risk spotlight trained on Europe. It concluded with the focus on Capitol Hill and the White House.

The Chamber meets with City of Greater Geelong representatives, who give a detailed outline of the strategies behind the Council's 2011/2012 Budget.