National Small Business Summit To Convene This Week

COSBOA National Small Business Summit
Thursday July 8, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

More than 30 small business leaders from the public and private sectors will meet in Brisbane 8 July, to discuss the significant challenges and opportunities facing Australia’s small business sector and provide practical strategies to help strive in the new economy at the COSBOA National Small Business Summit.

Now in its 8th year, the National Small Business Summit is acknowledged as the peak annual event for the small business sector and has emerged as a powerful forum for the airing of significant issues affecting small business. Experts in taxation, marketing, social media, business planning, workforce relations, corporation law, sustainability, e-commerce, technology and finance will be on hand to provide practical tips and tricks to help small businesses boost revenue, find new markets and manage their business more effectively.

This year’s Summit will showcase Australia’s leading small business entrepreneurs and business experts who will come together to share their secrets for finding and keeping customers and putting in place sound strategies to thrive in this ever changing business environment. Plus, international guest speaker, Richard Binhammer, Dell's US expert on social media, will reveal how Dell grasped social media and turned it into a profitable business and brand building tool and how small businesses can do the same.

Australia’s regulatory and political leaders will also be on hand to help business owners understand the regulations that affect small business. Speakers include the Federal opposition leader Tony Abbott who will outline his plan for small business; the Hon Craig Emersen, Minister for Small Business; Australian taxation commissioner, Michael D’Ascenzo; deputy chairman (small business) of the ACCC, Dr Michael Schaper; Michael Campbell, Fair Work ombudsman and Tony D’Aloisio, chairman, ASIC.

"We're excited to have a roster of small business experts and entrepreneurs who are eager to share their strategies for the new economy," says David Koch, host of the National Small Business summit.

“The National Small Business Summit is a great opportunity to network with entrepreneurs and business owners converging from all over Australia and take home some great ideas and connections to boost your business,” added Koch.

Small business owners interested in attending the summit can register online at www.nsbs.com.au.

The current list of summit speakers includes:

  The Honourable Tony Abbott (Leader, Federal Liberal Party)

  Michael Schaper (Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)

  Michael D’Ascenzo (Commissioner of Taxation)

  Professor Michael Adams (Head of the School of Law, University of Western Sydney)

  Darren Alexander (Chief Executive Officer, Autech)

  Natalie Archer (Founding Director of Bendelta, KBB business strategies expert)

  Lisa Backhouse (Media presenter, MC, host & facilitator)

  Richard Binhammer (Senior Manager, Strategic Corporate Communications, Social Media and Corporate Reputation Management, Dell Inc.)

  Julia Bickerstaff (founder Business Bakery and KBB finance expert)

  Jen Bishop  (Editor, Dynamic Business Magazine)

  Peter Blasina (Australia's Gadget Guy, KBB technology expert)

  Dave Chaffey (NetReach CEO - Small Business Expert, KBB online marketing expert)

  Jon Dee (Founder and Managing Director, Do Something)

  Michael Derin (Managing Director, Azure Group)

  Robert Gerrish (Founder, Flying Solo)

  Linda Hailey (Hailey Enterprises, small business consultant, KBB marketing guru)

  Pippa Hallas (General Manager, Ella Bach)

  Jason Hawkins (Managing Director, KND Web Consultants)

  Sue Ismiel (Founder, Nad's Natural Hair Removal)

  Valerie Khoo (Journalist, Author, Entrepreneur)

  David Koch (Host of Sunrise, Kochie's Business Builders and Finance Journalist)

  Lynette Mayne (Australian Business Leader)

  Susan Milicevic (Small Business Specialist)

  Robert Pennicott (Founder, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys)

  Louise Schultze (Founder and Chief Executive Officer of iBidAM.com Pty Ltd)

  Pam Usher (CEO, Executive Performance Today)

  Richard Windeyer (Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy)

  Paul Dwyer (State Manager, Bankwest Business Banking QLD)Vicki Stylianou (General Manager, Representation & Innovations, National Institute of Accountants)

  Angela McDonald (Director, Optimun Recoveries)

  Nuwan Kumarasiri (Director, Spick & Span)

  David Trewin (NSW Department of Climate Changeand Water)

  Matthew Nolan (Cash Flow Expert)

  Leanne Faulker (Founder, Billie Goat Soap)

  Gordon Slater (Founder, Byron Bay Cookies)

  Roseanne Anderson (Founder, Cyber Hair)

  Gavin Barnes (Managering Partner, Redchip Lawyers)

  Geoff Matheson (Partner, Mckays Solicitors)

  Kelly Baker (Managering Director, Edible Blooms)

  Tony D’Aloisio (Chairman, ASIC)

  Daniel de Wit (Founder, Food Flooring)

  Ciaran McGuigan (Strike Force Sales)

  Ben White (Director Optus Strategy)

The National Small Business Summit is presented by COSBOA in association with Kochie’s Business Builders.

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About Kochie’s Business Builders

Headed by financial journalist and Sunrise host David Koch, Kochie’s Business Builders are a team of experts providing small and medium-sized business owners with helpful information on the building blocks of business. smallbusiness.yahoo.com.au

About COSBOA

The Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA), is Australia’s peak body representing the interests of small businesses. It aims to promote and support the development of small businesses in Australia and to advance theinterests of small business through policy change and regulatory reform. www.cosboa.org