RCCIWA Members Forum Update – June 13th and 14th 2019
RCCIWA members would have received their invitation on Monday to the June RCCIWA Members Forum being held in Perth. We are really looking forward to the Forum and have two days full of valuable information, advocacy opportunities and excellent networking. For our members and their representatives wishing to attend please book here.

Below is what we have planned:
Thursday June 13th – Parliament House – 8.15am to 2.30pm – Advocacy Day
A privileged opportunity to meet in Parliament House, where Members of Parliament, including key Ministers and Party Leaders will spend quality time with us talking openly about the issues and topics that are of concern or priority for your town or region. A big thanks to our host for the day, the Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA.

Thursday June 13th – NAB, Perth – 5.30pm to 7.30pm – Business After Hours
Generously hosted by NAB and showcasing beautiful produce and beverages from regional WA, the Business after Hours will see a gathering of RCCIWA members from all over regional WA as well as stakeholders and regional supporters. A great opportunity to network, connect and catch up.

Friday June 14th – The Mercure Hotel Perth – 8.30am to 3.30pm – Operational Day
With a focus on events, activities, challenges and opportunities for all of our members, this day will comprise of workshops, speakers and presentations by members. Topics such as revenue streams, place activation, communication methods and building a sustainable Chamber are some of the topics to be covered. This is a day of incredible value for our members as it gives you ideas to learn from (or steal), share what your Chamber is up to, strengthen you regional Chamber network and also understand that you have a vast regional network of supporters available.

Mercure Perth looks forward to welcoming all RCCIWA Members and Guests for 2019!
Our very supportive Corporate Members, Accor Hotels WA have a great offer for all members attending the RCCIWA Members Forum in June. Set in the vibrant cultural and business district of Perth CBD, Mercure Perth is an excellent choice for every imaginable kind of travel in Western Australia. Take in sweeping views of the city and Swan River from the rooftop pool. Relax in stylish, contemporary accommodation with friendly and personalised service. Enjoy fresh, locally sourced cuisine and inspiring cocktails at Beccaria Restaurant. Mercure Perth extends great rates for both business and leisure. Starting from $159 per room per night including WIFI standard room. We look forward to making you FeelWelcome! Book Here, call 08 9326 7000 or email.

RCCIWA Members Partnering with Business Station to Deliver ASBAS Program
Last year our friends at Business Station were the successful tenderer for WA, QLD and the NT to provide the Digital Solutions Program for the Australian Small Business Advisory Services, a Federally funded program. ASBAS Digital Solutions provides small business with low cost, high quality advice on a range of digital solutions to help them meet their business needs and grow their digital capabilities.

They use service providers across regional and metropolitan Australia to give small business operators and intenders professional low-cost advice. Services are being delivered through a mix of one-to-one and group formats, including face-to-face and online. Assistance is available until June 2021.

RCCIWA supported Business Station in their tender, with the understanding that RCCIWA members would be able to partner with Business Station in the delivery of the service. I am pleased to inform you that Business Station have been busily reaching out to our members in regards to working together to deliver this service in Regional WA, and to date two of our members, the Wheatbelt Business Network and the Bunbury-Geographe CCI have entered into a formal agreement and will deliver the service locally.

Business Station will be approaching all of our members over the coming months. If you would like to find out more go to their website.

Regional Australia Institute Event – Regions Rising – A table of ten perhaps – Wednesday June 12th
The inaugural Regions Rising national events series in 2019 is specifically designed to lift and amplify engagement with our national market to ensure even better outcomes for regional Australia. It creates a national platform for regional leaders to engage directly with key industry representatives, government, political leaders and the community sector on the most important opportunities and challenges facing regions. You will notice we have included some information on this event in our newsletter, and as it is being held the day before our RCCIWA Members Forum, we thought that our members may want to attend this as well. If we can book a table of ten, there is a discount, and we already have a few members who are keen – so if you are interested please let me know at ceo@regionalchamberswa.com.au and I will coordinate a group booking.

The Spotlight is on Collie
The WA state Government has announced major support, focus and funding to develop and grow Collie, which is just fantastic. We are also impressed with the Shire of Collie’s “Energise Collie” project, which is a coordinated approach to revitalising Collie’s central business district. This is a great initiative by the Shire of Collie and is something many regional tows are focusing on. To see their plan read here.

CCIWA’s Federal Election Campaign Small Business is a Big Deal
There's no doubt that Small Business is a Big Deal in WA:

• 500,000 West Australian workers are employed by small business

• 97% of all West Australian businesses are small businesses

• Small business employs a third of young working Australians and 40% of apprentices

We support CCIWA's campaign to show all candidates for the Federal election 2019 just how important small businesses are to WA. Please help us to ensure that the voice of regional small businesses in WA is heard by getting involved - go to the website to find out more info.

CCIWA’s Verdict on the State Budget
“The State Government has delivered on its promise to rein in spending and start to pay down debt. Spending restraint, a CCIWA championed GST deal and an iron ore royalties windfall have resulted in the first surplus in five years of $553 million and a $6.8 billion reduction in peak net debt since the Government’s first Budget. CCIWA congratulates the State Government for its commitment to rein in expenditure growth. While the Government has benefited from surging iron ore prices and a GST floor that will contribute an additional $2.5 billion in GST over the forward estimates, this surplus would not have been possible without the Premier and Treasurer’s commitment to spending restraint.” For more information on CCIWA’s verdict go here.