Aboriginal Business Expo Evolves in Wollongong

The Illawarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Expo continues to evolve, with Wollongong City Council handing over the running of the showcase to Sacred Country Consulting for the first time.

The third iteration of the event showcasing local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned and operated businesses will shift to the Novotel on 31 October this year, illustrating the growth it has enjoyed over its first two years.

A joint initiative of Wollongong City Council and Illawarra Indigenous Business Network (IIBN), last year's event saw 35 local businesses from a wide array of industries - including design, photography, education, construction, maintenance, policy, research and arts – exhibit to more than 300 attendees at Wollongong Town Hall.

While Wollongong City Council will remain an event partner, Sacred Country Consulting will take the reins in a move that sees the event sit entirely in the hands of the Aboriginal business community.

Company founder Gemma Lloyd said it aligns with Sacred Country's specialty in business development support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs, start-ups and organisations to allow them to thrive.

"It is deeply significant that the management and delivery of the Expo now sits with a First Nations-owned business, ensuring it remains rooted in community priorities and cultural values," she said.

"The Expo is absolutely critical for the growing First Nations economy in the Illawarra and surrounding regions. It provides a culturally safe platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to showcase their products, services, and industry expertise.

"By having Aboriginal leadership at the helm, the Expo becomes more than a business event, it becomes an act of self-determination, capacity building, and community-led economic development. It's not just an event, it's an economic and cultural milestone that helps shape the regional business landscape in a more inclusive and self-determined way."

While Sacred Country will take carriage of the event, Gemma said the ultimate aim is to handover the event to a young First Nations person with an interest in event management or business.

"We see this as a pipeline to support future leaders and create intergenerational opportunities for Mob to thrive in the events and business sectors," she said.

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