In the region where 'it's the people that make it', young people were today the focus of an engaging and interactive event designed to inspire and equip our future leaders with the skills and confidence to have and pursue big ideas.
Western Downs Regional Council partnered with the Australian School of Entrepreneurship to deliver an exciting youth entrepreneurship and leadership workshop at the Dalby Events Centre, which attracted an audience of nearly 300 young people.
The Young Entrepreneur Summit offered a collaborative and interactive one-day summit designed to inspire and empower a generation of brave, creative, and entrepreneurial young leaders through high-energy workshops and presentations, delivered by young people, for young people.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said the event was an example of investing in the abilities and confidence of young people and teaching skills which were useful in life and business, which would pay dividends for the region and the economy for decades.
"The Western Downs has a proud history of innovation, often championed by impressive young leaders in business and industry, and celebrating and empowering our young people through the Young Entrepreneur Summit recognises that 'it's the people that make it' in the Western Downs," Cr McVeigh said.
"This is the first time that the summit has been held in a regional area which is very exciting for the Western Downs, and it demonstrates how committed Council is to growing the next generation as a method of developing future business and investment opportunities."
The summit was attended by students from 12 schools, including Charlotte Cross, who said the day was very helpful to anyone who had or wanted to start their own business, or had the idea to turn a hobby into an opportunity.
"My advice is, just go for it! You're young, you can do what you want and you can get the support from your teachers, your parents or your community" Ms Cross said.
"I think events like this are very important because as our society is growing, our young people are wanting to do more for the community and for themselves, and this event gives them a little idea of how they can start something".
Attendees of the summit enjoyed challenges and activities including ideation exercises, business conceptualisation and presenting pitches to a panel of judges, all of which were designed to develop confidence and abilities which would translate into their business or career.
Australian School of Entrepreneurship CEO, Jahin Tanvir said they were thrilled to bring the Young Entrepreneur Summit down to Dalby for the first time ever. The Australian School of Entrepreneurship works with over 180,000 young people nationwide every year and prides itself on 51% of that being from regional and rural communities.
"Holding YES Dalby in the Western Downs for the first time ever is a testament to how much young people value entrepreneurship and innovation, and we really enjoyed welcoming all the local young entrepreneurs, and those that are aspiring to be entrepreneurs," said Mr Tanvir.
