After a hugely successful inaugural event in 2023, the second Illawarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Expo is set to return to Wollongong Town Hall on Thursday (October 17) with around 40 stallholders.
A joint initiative of Wollongong City Council and Illawarra Indigenous Business Network, last year's event saw 30 local businesses from a wide array of industries showcase what they offer to the public and other Aboriginal owned businesses.
While it was enlightening for more than 300 attendees, it was also an "eye-opener" for business owners themselves according to Errolyn Strang, founder and director of training and education provider Culture Across Time.
"The Business Expo that was held last year was an amazing eye opener for me, I had no idea of the diversity of the range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses within our local community," Ms Strang said.
"I live and work in the Aboriginal community, so for me not to know those things were out there and those businesses and Aboriginal people were trading like that, surely there's a whole lot of other people in, especially in the broader community, that also haven't been exposed to those businesses.
"The vibe was awesome, everyone was there supporting each other and then to see the broader community come into that space was amazing. Come along and just experience the number and the diversity of the businesses that will be there."
The success of last year's business event has seen the addition of an Illawarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Networking Event on the evening prior to the Expo with the assistance of event partner BlueScope.
Part of Indigenous Business Month, the Expo can also provide valuable insights for organisations with a Reconciliation Action Plan looking to partner with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
The free event also features several Aboriginal arts and crafts stalls, with Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown urging the local business community and general public to come and see what is on offer.
"The increased number of stallholders this year, and the addition of the business networking evening, speaks to the success of last year's event and it's great to see it's return," Cr Brown said.
"There are so many wonderful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in our region providing a wide array of services and we are proud, with the support of the NSW Government, to support those great organisations, and perhaps open peoples' eyes to businesses and opportunities they're not yet aware of.
"Like many organisations, Council is firmly committed to a Reconciliation Action Plan and the Expo is valuable opportunity to establish partnerships within the Aboriginal business community and the many services and products it can offer."
Wollongong City Council has partnered with the Illawarra Indigenous Business Network, Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and BlueScope to deliver the events as part of Indigenous Business Mont
"BlueScope is proud to support the Illawarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Networking event and the Business Expo," Manager First Nations BlueScope Nyssa Murray said.
"Through our First Nations Framework, we are committed to creating opportunities that strengthen engagement and foster the growth and development of sustainable businesses within our supply chains."
