September 3, 2021
A business networking event held at Linville Hall on Thursday drew more than 60 people to hear a line-up of tourism and business-related speakers.
The event was aimed at strengthening Somerset Regional Council’s working relationship with tourism businesses in the region, facilitating economic development opportunities and also allowing businesses to network amongst themselves to develop stronger working relationships.
Economic Development and Tourism Committee representative Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke said developing stronger ties within the business and tourism sector of the Somerset region was an important step.
“Creating supportive relationships between the local tourism and business sectors with Council will assist develop strategies for future planning for both the individual operators and Council,” she said.
Speakers included Leah Squire from the Linville Hotel; Paul Lawson from Esk Caravan Park; and Carolyn Barker, entrepreneur and founder of Picnic Society, and a member of the Linville Progress Association.
The three speakers shared their experiences and discussed challenges and strategies for success.
A fourth speaker – Kylie Radford of the Small Business Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland – was on hand to discuss the assistance available to small businesses experiencing hardship due to impacts of COVID or long-standing drought conditions.
The event was the second of its kind organised by Somerset Regional Council and was funded through the Local Economic Recovery Program, jointly funded by the Federal and State governments.
