RCCIWA Members Forum – November 7th and 8th 2024 – Registrations Now Open
Planning is well and truly underway for our second RCCIWA members Forum for 2024 being held in Perth on November 7^th & 8^th at the Novotel Perth Murray Street. For those who are new to our network or who have not attended one of our Forums previously – this two-day event aims to deliver important advocacy opportunities with key decision makers, interesting speakers and workshops, information, learning and sharing and highly valuable networking and connection opportunities. 

Registrations are now open - RCCIWA Members Forum November 2024
This time we are doing things a bit differently, with both days being held at the Novotel Perth Murray Street. We are still inviting Ministers and Members of Parliament, will have member workshops and discussions and guest speakers as usual – however it will be a more mixed program over both days (rather than two quite distinctive days). We are excited about holding both days at the Novotel as it gives us much more flexibility in the program (for us and our speakers)  but also will give us more time for member-to-member workshops and connection, which we know is what our members are very keen for us to deliver. More time to connect with and learn from each other – our favourite part of the Forums too!!

This RCCIWA member only event is open to representatives of our members, elected or employed. We know you will get a great deal from the Forum, and we will benefit from you joining us. It is a great way for new committee members and new employees to learn more about how all of the Chambers around regional WA operate and to be on the forefront of advocacy and representation. Please talk to your committee and staff (for those who have employees) about who might attend on behalf of your organisation and represent them. You can find out more about why someone from your organisation should attend here and more details about the two-day forum here.

2025 WA Regional Business Excellence Awards  - Saturday March 29^th 2025
After our very successful inaugural WA Regional Business Excellence Awards held in April of this year, we are very excited to let you know that nominations are now open  for our 2025 WA Regional Business Excellence Awards. Save the date today for Saturday March 29^th 2025 for our Gala Event being held at the Westin Perth that will celebrate and recongise WA’s amazing regional businesses as well as bring regional businesses, our members, supporters and stakeholders together. All entrants must have won an aligned category at their local business awards program hosted by an RCCIWA. As we know quite a few of our members have already held their awards for 2024 – now is the time to encourage your eligible winners to enter here: WARBEA2025 (awardsplatform.com)

You can find all of the supporting information for aspiring entrants here:

• Key Dates and Submission Information
• Award Categories Summary
• Award Category Questions and Criteria
• Terms & Conditions
• FAQ’s

We would love all of our members who host awards in 2024 to encourage their winners to enter and we would love all stakeholders and regional business friends to support our event and join us on the night. 

This is our chance to celebrate the incredible regional businesses in WA who are making a positive impact in so many ways and setting the benchmarks for business excellence. In regional WA, local businesses are proud and excited to share their success with the community they are completely invested in and the WA Regional Business Excellence Awards gives them a broader state-wide platform to amplify their success and positive contributions. We also know they provide aspiration and inspiration for all regionals businesses in WA. 

If you have any questions about our 2025 WARBEA’s in regard to anything, including opportunities to sponsor, please email me at ceo@regionalchamberswa.com.au

2024 WA Small Business Day – Saturday October 26th
Each year on the last Saturday in October we celebrate WA Small Business Day. A chance to thank, acknowledge and give a big high five to all of the amazing small businesses in Western Australia. It is our opportunity to recongise their contributions to our economy, communities and everyday lives and to let them know that we think they are awesome. Everyone and anyone can get in volved in celebrating WA Small Business Day – whether it be by doing all of your purchasing at small businesses on the day, giving a social media shout-out to your favourite small businesses or perhaps holding an event in the lead up or on the actual day. It is really up to you and we would love for you to encourage your networks to do something too. To find out more go herehttps://smallbusinessmatters.net.au/  or contact Kitty at ceo@regionalchamberswa.com.au. How will you celebrate WA Small Business Day in 2024?

National Regional & Economic Development Summit – Busselton 29th to 31st October 2024
The SEGRA Foundation, a not-for-profit national organisation, in partnership with RDA South West are bringing the National Regional and Economic Development Summit to Busselton between 29 – 31 October 2024. The Summit provides a unique opportunity for all sections of regional Australia to explore the key issues affecting them. Attendees at the Summit include local government professionals working in economic and community development, local government Councillors, university researchers, regional development leaders, policy makers, state and federal government departments, not for profit organisations and business associations – anyone working to make a positive change in regional Australia. Attendees will be experiencing the Busselton, Bunbury and Margaret River region through multiple formats and we will be walking the city, out on the road, meeting the leaders from the region and experiencing how they have contributed to sustainable regional and economic development. The Foundation will also host a series of short yet impactful SEGTALKS on arts and culture, regional development, regional industries, technology, climate and energy, water, closing the gap and community and liveability. To find out more and purchase tickets visit here. www.segra.com.au/about/2024-summit-details/

RCCIWA Monthly Online Members Meeting
On the second Tuesday of each month at 10am we hold an online members’ meeting which usually runs for an hour to 90 minutes. We usually see around 12 of our member organisations represented each month to give member updates, discuss common issues & possible solutions to these, as well as the opportunity to share and learn from each other. We also hear from experts from the SBDC and CCIWA, as well as others as requested. The monthly meetings are a great way of connecting with our members with each other, as well as working through common issues or activities. Calendar Invites for the year were sent to our members in January. If you do not have a calendar invite, please let me know and I will send you one. The agenda and a reminder will be sent out a few days before the meeting each month. 

RCCIWA Website Members Only Resource Hub
Just a reminder that as a RCCIWA Member you have access our online resource library that contains a wide variety of documents from all of our members. We are right now working on our new website and the new members resource hub will include RCCIWA templates for you to use as well as a huge range of documents from our members. This is a great reference point to refer to when planning events, setting up polices or updating your own collateral. Please email Emmi if you need access to the current portal and she will send you access information for the new one once the website is ready. We hope this to be live by the end of October. We are regularly uploading documents however to keep it current, could you please email Emmi at  admin@regionalchamberswa.com.auany documents that you are happy to share with your fellow members. We will assume if you send it to us that you are happy for us to upload this on the members only access section of our website. Please send in pdf format (and in the smallest size you can), documents such as:

• Your Constitution
• Your Strategic or Operational Plans
• Membership Forms, Membership prospectus
• Member Benefits flyer
• BAH information
• Sponsorship information
• Directory information
• Business Awards Information
• Job and Position Descriptions, HR documents
• Events information
• Policies and Procedures
• Committee Induction pack  

RCCIWA Administrative Items

• We are constantly updating our membership contact list. If you have any changes to your contacts or would like to add any people, please email Emmi at admin@regionalchamberswa.com.au The information we need is name, position/role, email address and mobile number.
• Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and share our page with your members, and in particular your elected committee or board members.
• We have also established dedicated Facebook and Instagram pages for our Awards – we would love you to follow them too.