Cairns Update
Very few businesses today could operate without Google. The word itself, ‘Google’, is as much a noun as it is a verb. It’s how customers discover your business, find out how to contact your business, research what your business can offer them, and eventually leave a review for other customers to find. On the morning of Friday 5 April, we hosted Grow with Google, a two-hour workshop with Google Australia. This free training was designed for those who own or manage a small sized business and particularly relevant to people who wish to learn free ways to help get your business found online. Not every business has the knowledge to handle their own digital marketing, or the budget to engage an agency. Part of our role as a Chamber of Commerce is to help our members, Cairns’ businesses of all sizes, grow and improve their businesses. We will offer more workshops, events and of course our monthly business luncheons to benefit your businesses, so keep an eye on our social media accounts, website or if you’re a member, our regular email updates.
Later in April, our monthly business luncheon will be held Tuesday 30 April at Cairns Convention Centre and features our federal candidates and a healthy Federal Election Debate ahead of the big day in May. Hear firsthand the commitments each candidate for Leichardt will make to Cairns, before you head to the polls. The candidates include: Warren Entsch – Member for Leichhardt; Chad Anderson – Independent Candidate for Leichhardt; Elida Faith – Labor Candidate for Leichhardt; Daniel McCarthy – KAP Candidate for Leichhardt; and Jen Sackley – United Australia Party Candidate for Leichhardt.
In March, nominations for the 2019 Cairns Business Excellence (BEX) Awards closed, with an impressive 160 nominations for the 10 award categories: JCU Legacy (individual); Emerging Leadership (individual); People Management (organisation); Customer Service (organisation); Marketing & Communications (organisation); Indigenous Business (organisation); Community Contribution (organisation); Sustainability/Environmental (organisation); Business Technology (organisation); and Project Management (organisation). Finalists will be announced Monday 1 May 2019.
These awards highlight organisations, regardless of industry or size, which are lifting the bar in their category. The BEX Awards is now in its third edition, sponsored by James Cook University, and celebrating our thriving business community and the professionals within it. The competition is always fierce, the finalists are of the highest calibre, it is an evening you won’t want to miss. The 2019 BEX Awards will be held Saturday 15 June at the Pullman Cairns International. Tickets will be available on our website to purchase from 1 April.
Since my last update in Success North Queensland, I’m proud to say Cairns Chamber of Commerce has inducted 84 new members which continues the momentum we had rolling into 2019. As our network grows, so too does our capacity to advocate for the business community. I encourage you to join us and help drive Cairns forward. Visit our website, attend one of our events, and discover the benefits of being a Cairns Chamber member.
