The 2024 Geelong Small Business Festival (GSBF) has wrapped up with remarkable success! This year was a big one as we celebrated our 14th year as the largest business festival in our region and welcomed our 30,000th attendee.
A condensed two-week program featured 66 free and low-cost events across three dedicated hubs in Geelong, Torquay, and Drysdale. Overall the festival attracted 2,101 attendees, with average event attendee numbers up 7 per cent on last year.
From the energising launch event to the thought-provoking NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase, the festival was packed with opportunities for learning, networking, and growth.
Participants delved into the latest business trends, exchanged creative ideas, and established invaluable new partnerships to support their business.
The Wurriki Nyal Geelong Hub was a hive of activity with 45 events, 11 business support agencies and more than 1,000 attendees coming through the doors to gain valuable knowledge, tips and resources from business experts.
The hub also provided extra opportunities for people to stay, network and collaborate with other businesses in between events.
Our successful partnership with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce continued for the second year, delivering some incredible outcomes and broadening the reach and impact of the festival with a continued focus on networking, upskilling and innovating.
The festival culminated with the NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase, demonstrating the festival's commitment to encouraging sustainable business practices.
Overwhelmingly positive survey results showed the significant value the festival provides for local businesses:
- More than 95 per cent of people said events provided them with information they plan to use in their business
- More than 98 per cent of people gained additional skills and knowledge, and
- More than 85 per cent said festival events improved their business networks.
Here's a snapshot of what people said on socials:
Such an amazing initiative. The GSBF 2024 is the best festival so far.
Full of praise for the GSBF team for the great range of offerings and the wonderfully inspiring presenters. I will be back in 2025!
I've been to three workshops so far and they were all INCREDIBLE!
Thank you to everyone who attended or participated in this year's festival – your support made the 2024 Geelong Small Business Festival an outstanding success!
Relive the excitement of the 2024 Geelong Small Business Festival launch! Watch our launch event video (produced by TorchT).
