Indigenous businesses Connect 2024 held in Meanjin

CONNECT 2024, Australia’s largest and most significant event for Indigenous businesses, has been held in Meanjin (Brisbane) this week.

The Supply Nation coordinated event has been running for 14 years and brings together First Nations thought leaders and business representatives from all over Australia and overseas. The national event connects verified Indigenous businesses with corporate, government, and other organisations looking to procure products and services, as well as develop commercial collaboration opportunities. 

Connect 2024 is being held for the first time in Meanjin on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera peoples at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year, more than 210 businesses presented their products and services at the Indigenous Business Tradeshow and more than 4000 participants were expected to attend various events.

The Knowledge Forum presented and discussed issues and challenges facing the Indigenous business sector but also showcased success and highlight future opportunities.

The Supplier Diversity Awards Winners were announced at a Gala Dinner on Thursday evening (August 29).

The Supplier Diversity Awards honour and recognise businesses, government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and individuals making a significant contribution to supplier diversity and excellence in driving a prosperous and vibrant Indigenous business sector.

Supply Nation’s chief executive officer, Kate Russell said this year’s event had been the largest undertaking to date, with Brisbane being chosen as the location given the economic growth opportunities and the planning for the upcoming Olympics in 2032.

“We are incredibly pleased and humbled by the support we have received from our wonderful businesses, our members, through to our partner organisations and sponsors,” Ms Russell said. 

“They have really backed us, and this year’s event is shaping up as one that will result in some pretty significant outcomes.

“Our strong connections to First Nation’s businesses and organisations in other countries is also growing and this year our international delegates are travelling from the United States, Canada and New Zealand to be with us. 

“They are looking to learn about the Australian context of supplier diversity and explore partnership opportunities with local Indigenous businesses.

“In 2024, Supply Nation is celebrating 15 years of working to support and grow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.  We are proud of our achievements and Connect 2024 is an opportunity to come together to celebrate that milestone but also to look to the future and work to create greater economic prosperity for all Australians,” Ms Russell said.

Supply Nation is Australia’s leading supplier diversity organisation. Since 2009, Supply Nation has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and procurement teams from government and corporate Australia to help shape today’s emerging and rapidly evolving Indigenous business sector.

Supply Nation’s rigorous verification process provides peace of mind by ensuring that all businesses listed on Indigenous Business Direct are not only Indigenous owned, and regularly audited for changes in company structure. Supply Nation’s support, combined with a range of business tools, helps our members develop their supplier diversity practices, and build a strong, successful, and sustainable Indigenous business sector.

In the year 2022/2023, Supply Nation enabled more than $4.1 billion to the Indigenous economy.

Connect is Supply Nation’s annual flagship event for the Indigenous business sector.

www.supplynation.org.au

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