Bill Shorten to speak at Vodafone National Small Business Summit

LEADER of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP, has been confirmed to speak at the Vodafone National Small Business Summit, hosted by the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) taking place at the Events Centre Collins Square, Melbourne on 23-25 August 2017.

Mr Shorten will open the Summit Breakfast on Friday, 25 August and discuss current issues facing more than two million small businesses across Australia.

Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA commented on the privilege to host Mr Shorten at Australia’s premier policy event discussing the current and future needs of small business owners.

“We are honoured to welcome Mr Shorten to speak at the Vodafone National Small Business Summit for the third year. 

“In 2017 the Summit will focus on ‘Collaboration and Communities’ and discuss how senior politicians, policy makers and industry leaders can come together to build and strengthen partnerships and secure the future of small business growth in Australia,” said Mr Strong.

Program highlights include:

Small Business Banking and Finance, with:

• Hon. Philip Dalidakis, Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade
• Kate Carnell, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
• Anna Bligh, CEO, Australian Bankers' Association
• David Gandolfo, Deputy Chair, COSBOA

Big and Small Working Together, with:

• Jennifer Westacott, Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia
• Grant King, President, Business Council of Australia
• Paul Nielsen, Director and Chairperson, COSBOA

Our Regulators – Can Their Jobs be Easier and Will That Make Our Jobs Easier?  with: 

• John Price, Commissioner, Australian Securities and Investments Commission
• Natalie James, Fair Work Ombudsman
• Dr Michael Shaper, Deputy Chair, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Export Opportunities And Other Business Via The Web, with:

• Richard Flanagan, Head of Business Marketing, Google Australia and New Zealand

The Role of Business Associations in Modern Society, with:

• Justice Iain Ross, President, Fair Work Commission
• Sandy Chong, CEO, Australian Hairdressing Council and Director, COSBOA
• John Hart, Executive Director, Restaurant & Catering Australia
• Julie Owens MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Small Business

Registrations are open for the Vodafone National Small Business Summit. For more information please visit: www.cosboansbs.com.au

To celebrate the commencement of the Summit, Small Business owners are invited to attend the Small Business Start-Up Reception from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday, 23 August 2017. The event will provide an opportunity for owners to hear from Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA and network with industry leaders and key decision makers. A panel on the evening will highlight the next generation of employers and innovators and discuss what more our education system can do to support entrepreneurship.