GALLERY: Fraser Coast Business Expo highlights the need to work together

SOME 300 local businesses registered to attend the Fraser Coast Business Expo 2021 in Hervey Bay.

Fraser Coast Deputy Mayor Darren Everard opens the Fraser Coast Business Expo 2021 at the Beach House Hotel in Hervey Bay. PHOTO: Shaun Ryan / Good News Fraser Coast.

The Beach House Hotel in Scarness was a hive of activity with 40 businesses and government organisations setting up stalls to showcase their products and services.

The event formed part of the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s program to assist small and medium enterprises in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Mayor Darren Everard was happy with the turnout.

Cr Everard spoke to Good News Fraser Coast after the first session.

“We have so many small and medium businesses on the Fraser Coast and around 300 of them registered to attend today,” he said.

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“By working together and networking we can all help make the Fraser Coast better – and better for business.”

The 40 stalls ranged from marketing companies and office supply businesses to banking and corporate gifting.

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Owner of 360 Degrees Marketing Luke Strochnetter said having a display at the expo allowed him to meet new people.

“We’re all in the same boat and have experienced the same struggles in recent months. It’s been so good to see people encouraging each other,” Mr Strochnetter said.

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Wolfpack Print’s Naomi Taylor said the expo was all about community.

“It’s important for us to support local. We’ve been really lucky; many companies have started looking at their own businesses during the pandemic and that has kept us busy.”

Michelle Warren, who owns Maryborough-based gifting and box hamper service HolaBox, said the expo gave them the opportunity to get their corporate gifting range out there.

“It’s been a great networking opportunity for all of us,” she said.

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Darren Rodman from The Best Telecom Group said having a stall would help the business enter the Fraser Coast market.

Meanwhile, Kylie Hunt from Inspire Virtual Assistant said it was great to see so many local businesses coming together in one place to learn more about the different products and services available on the Fraser Coast.

“It was lovely how many came out to support the event.”

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A range of guest speakers also featured on the program, each sharing some insight into their own industries or organisations.