Tourism is a major contributor to the Hobsons Bay economy, generating more than $295 million in output and supporting more than 1,400 jobs locally. Tourism industry professionals from across Hobsons Bay are invited to attend a variety of events aimed at connecting tourism operators, retail and hospitality professionals. If you attend only one tourism event this year, make sure it's the Hobsons Bay Tourism Networking event in Newport on 5 September. Connect and network with local tourism operators, retail and hospitality professionals and hear from industry leaders who will share insights in helping to grow our visitor economy. Also on offer is a Masterclass in Digital Marketing to educate, inspire and empower tourism, hospitality and retail operators, presented by Tourism eSchool.

Finalists for the 2019 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards will soon be announced. Make sure you grab the Wednesday 21 August edition of the Star Weekly for the big reveal.

Communicating with your audience on social media platforms is a very important part of the business mix. This month, ASBAS will deliver 'Facebook for Small Business Simplified', a workshop empowering small business with tools to communicate effectively and increase web traffic and business exposure.

If you are a new business operator in Hobsons Bay and would benefit from a 1-on-1 business consultation, book a free session with an experienced business counsellor from BEC@Kangan on Tuesday 13 August, but be quick, places are limited.

If you would like any further information, or have any questions about doing business in Hobsons Bay, please contact Council's Economic Development team on 03 9932 1654 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

To create customers for life, it's important businesses deliver customer experiences that reflect intelligence and agility. Presented by Australian Retailers Association, gain insights into what 3000 customers had to say about:

- wants and frustrations with customer service interactions;

- the rapid global rise of live chat and messaging;

- why engagement is imperative to shift from more 'reactive' to 'proactive' service.

Date:     Thursday, 8 August 2019

Time:     10am - 11am AEST

Register here.

Book in for a free one-on-one session with an experienced business counsellor from the Business Enterprise Centre at Kangan Institute (BEC@Kangan). These consultations are available to new and existing businesses and are a chance for you to discuss any issues you have in regards to commencing your business or improving the performance and operation of your existing business. 

Date: Tuesday 13 August 2019

Time: 9am to 2pm

Location: Williamstown Town Hall, 104 Ferguson Street, Williamstown

Cost: Free

Bookings essential: Please call 9094 3008 to register.

A Facebook business page enables direct communication with your audience. It provides the opportunity for you to reveal the persona behind your brand. Followers will respond to the human side of your business as you interact through posts, comments and shares. Delivered by the Australian Small Business Advisory Service (ASBAS), this workshop is for small business owners who want to:
     • develop better social media comprehension;
     • set up their own Facebook page effectively;
     • increase engagement with their audience.

Date: Thursday 15 August 2019

Time: 9am to 12pm

Location: Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona

To register: For more information and to book, please click here

B Lab's vision is that all people in Australia and New Zealand participate in, and benefit from, an economy that builds community and regenerates the environment. B Lab is a recognized leader in the field of responsible business, driving companies towards high standards of performance, accountability and transparency.

Fast track your journey to becoming a certified B Corp by attending this session on Thursday 29 August. The B Lab team will offer guidance, tips and tools in assisting you to be ready to submit your impact assessment.

Date: Thursday, 29 August 2019

Time: 9am - 1pm

Location: BlueRock, Level 15, 414 La Trobe Street, Melbourne

Find out more and register by clicking here.

Hobsons Bay City Council invites tourism, retail and hospitality business professionals from across our city to our Digital Marketing Masterclass workshop presented by Tourism eSchool.

The aim of this masterclass is to educate and inspire our tourism, hospitality and retail businesses and learn strategic digital marketing tactics aimed to increasing visitation for their businesses, and the municipality.

Date/Time: Tuesday 3 September, 8.30am to 2.30pm. Lunch provided.

Venue:        Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, 120 Nelson Place, Williamstown

Booking:     This free masterclass workshop is for Hobsons Bay tourism businesses only

                    Registration essential via Eventbrite

BYO laptops. This free masterclass workshop is for Hobsons Bay tourism businesses only.

Please note: this masterclass workshop is limited to 20 businesses

Hobsons Bay City Council invites business professionals from across Hobsons Bay to come together for business networking on the first Wednesday of the month. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a coffee, promote your business and share ideas, while meeting business owners from a range of different industries. 

Date: Wednesday 4 September 2019

Time: 7.30am to 8.30am

Location: Choks Pot, 88 Ferguson Street, Williamstown

Cost: Free

To register: Please click here

Join local tourism industry operators and help grow the visitor economy

Hobsons Bay extends an invitation to a networking event aimed at connecting all Hobsons Bay tourism operators, retail and hospitality professionals.

Connect and network and hear the latest news and updates from industry leaders from Visit Victoria and Western Melbourne Tourism.

Date:        Thursday 5 September 2019

Time:        5pm to 7pm

Venue:     Heart of Hall, 17 Hall Street, Newport

RSVP essential, please register here.

An interactive 'Experience Hobsons Bay' touchscreen has been installed near the information desk at Scienceworks which allows visitors to explore Council's new tourism website and learn more about all the great things to see and do in Hobsons Bay.

With approximately 500,000 people visiting Scienceworks in Spotswood each year, it is anticipated that this will increase visitor awareness of opportunities to extend and enhance their visit to Hobsons Bay.

Nominations for 2019 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards have closed.  We have received a record number of entries covering a wide range of businesses across our city. Judging is now underway and finalists will be announced on 21 August.

Businesses employing workers in community services, contract cleaning and security have new obligations under the Long Service Benefits Portability Act 2018.  After working in their industry for seven years, irrespective of the number of employers they work for over that time, employees will be eligible to claim their long service benefits. 

From 1 July until 30 September 2019, businesses who employ workers in roles covered by the Portable Long Service Scheme must Register with the Portable Long Service Authority.  If you require assistance to determine if you need to register, please contact the Authority on 1800 517 158.

The North and West Melbourne Data Analytics Hub gives businesses an opportunity to harness student skills, analyse the data they collect and use the data to build business capability. The Hub was established to provide real value to businesses. University and TAFE students matched to organisations through the Hub are able to stretch the business into a new direction. This could be through a new product or service, a new way of operating or by producing evidence that can be used to make future business decisions.

Find out how your business can benefit by contacting James Wallace at Latrobe University.

The Andrews Labor Government has kicked off the development of the next creative industries strategy which is set to strengthen Victoria's position as the creative and cultural capital of Australia.

Victorians are invited to contribute insights and ideas to a statewide consultation that will inform the strategy, grow our $31 billion creative economy, create new jobs and offer more creative opportunities for all Victorians. 

Read the full Media Release

Looking for a space to hold a meeting or event? SpacetoCo makes it possible for you to know about the useful spaces in your community and to use them. Share existing spaces and contribute to greater sustainability for our towns and cities.

To find out more, click here.

The final #StartWest event in our year-long partnership program with LaunchVic and neighbouring councils took place at the Substation on Wednesday 24 July. The program featured an exceptional line-up of speakers including keynote Dr Amantha Imber. Hundreds of people in the start-up economy flocked to the Substation where they connected with likeminded entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Hobsons Bay Business Centre, located on level 1, 92 Railway Street, Altona, is a purpose-built Business Centre offering fully serviced offices with professional reception services, conference/meeting facilities and suites that come fully furnished and ready to go! Importantly the cost includes:

* no outgoings

* costs of calls

* month to month tenancy (no bonds/contracts)

* high-grade Fibre Internet Network (FTTP)

* location - easy to access, right by Altona Train Station and steps from bustling Pier Street... just to name a few features

Also available are Virtual Offices providing business start-ups or businesses working from home with all the tools required for growth and positive market perception, a professional image without the costs of setting up a physical office.

For further information or a site inspection, call Victoria on 8398 0800 or visit their website.

Upper level (Seaworks) 82 Nelson Place, Williamstown - For Lease
Contact Pierre Ghougassian on 0422 052 134 

51 Burns Road, Altona - For Sale
Contact Stephen Ryan on 0438 237 608

121-139A Dohertys Road, Altona North  - For Lease
Contact Danielle Tadi on 0403 707 712

Lot 24/302-330 Millers Road, Altona North  - For Sale
Contact Lachlan May on 0410 575 473

2/50 Hudson Road, Spotswood - For Lease
Contact Glyn Bosisto on 0414 304 580

Through its Economic Development team, Council takes a proactive approach to attracting and facilitating investment across the municipality. This includes assisting with site identification and selection. If you are looking for a commercial or industrial site in Hobsons Bay or want to submit a business or commercial premise for inclusion in e-Works, please email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

Find grants, funding and support programs from across government to help your business grow and success.  Search here.