Our Mayor's take on what's happening around Sutherland Shire.

Cut Short Film Competition
girawaa ba gamai (stingray and spear) artwork
Sutherland Shire Mayor at Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony

The Sutherland Shire is lucky enough to be home to a thriving, diverse small business sector, with so many amazing small businesses serving to power our local economy. I’m proud to lead a Council that is committed to supporting local businesses and helping quality local businesses get established, grow and flourish. Council staff members who drive the delivery of these projects don’t often receive the praise and recognition they deserve.

As a small business operator myself, I appreciate the highs and lows that come with running your own business, and I know how important it is to set your business up for success right from the outset. Over the course of my many years as a small business operator there are plenty of tough lessons I’ve learned along the way, and innumerable tips for success I wish I’d picked up a little earlier in my career.

That’s why I’m so passionate about ensuring local small business owners are provided with support to help them throughout their journey, and ensure that their businesses are able to adapt to keep up with the latest industry trends and stay competitive in an ever evolving commercial landscape.

Among the many ways in which Council seeks to support our local business community is through our annual Business Summits, with this year’s event – set to be staged on Tuesday 6 August – once again promising to empower our incredible local business operators with the knowledge and connections they need to succeed.

As any small business operator will tell you, running a business is a tough job to master, demanding a diverse skillset and the ability to juggle a multitude of roles. Access to expert advice, coaching, and strategic guidance is crucial for both new ventures and established enterprises looking to grow. Our 2024 Business Summit will provide an exceptional opportunity for the business community to gain valuable insights from industry leaders and the opportunity to connect with and learn from like-minded professionals.

There is always incredibly strong demand from local business operators keen to take part in these summits, so Council is offering a vastly expanded event this year to enable more members of our business community to take part. To cater for this demand, Council is set to stage this year’s summit at The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre, allowing three times as many participants to take part and pick up some valuable tips to help them get ahead.

We have some amazing guest presenters locked in to share their expertise with those in attendance, with a host of inspiring industry leaders set to share innovative approaches to business growth, entrepreneurial success and innovation strategies and techniques to build rapport, trust and credibility.

Our Business Summit is more than just a series of talks – it’s a chance to learn from successful, seasoned business owners and for businesses to think about how to set themselves up for future success. I encourage all local business owners to seize this opportunity to learn, network, and grow. I look forward to seeing you there.

To find out more about the Business Summit please visit: go.ssc.nsw.gov.au/BUSUMM24

Sutherland Shire Mayor Councillor Carmelo Pesce