THE inaugural Multicultural Business Expo will be staged at HBF Arena in Joondalup on March 16 during Harmony Week.
Activities will celebrate the contribution of migrants’ businesses to the success of the WA economy and include business workshops throughout the day, exhibitions and entertainment along with a variety of food on offer.
“Part of our aim is to educate and inspire immigrants to become successful entrepreneurs by showcasing the many resources and business opportunities open to every nationality, the impact successful businesses have on the economy and how a well-connected, inclusive and integrated community can nourish the entrepreneurial spirit within our great State,” co-ordinator Cema Santos said.
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READ NOWThe day will kick off with a VIP networking breakfast, organised by the Immigrant Business Networking Association and District32, titled Crossing the Border to Success – the challenges of doing business far from home.
Five panellists including Commonwealth Bank of Australia multicultural community banking general manager Huss Mustafa, Business Station chief executive Kim Charles, District32 chief executive Lorraine Garvie, business coach Paul Manning and special international guest from Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, Anna Kostecka, will share their insights and stories on how they successfully managed to chase their dreams and goals in Australia despite facing many hurdles along the way.
The breakfast will be held from 7am to 8.45am before the expo opening ceremony at 9am.
Tickets are $47.
The IBNA and ECU’s Office of Research and Innovation and School of Education will also host a sundowner as part of the expo.
Speaker Kate Raynes-Goldie will present a talk titled The Future Will Be, sharin her vision for how young people can prepare to feel safe, confident and thrive in an uncertain future.
There will be a panel session following the talk with educational experts who will share insights into the future of education and youth innovation.
The sundowner will be held from 5pm to 7.30pm.
Cost is $35 or $20 for students, which includes entry into the expo from 5pm to 9pm.
For more information, go to www.ibna.org.au/mbex.
Also on March 16, the City of Joondalup will host a youth event focusing on attracting more international students.
Students from participating local high schools, under the guidance of mentors from Just Start IT and with the input from industry experts, will work on developing innovative solutions to entice international students to want to study in Joondalup.
Goodenough congratulates founders in Federal Parliament
MOORE MHR Ian Goodenough recently spoke in Parliament to congratulate Heathridge resident Cema Santos and Mariane Bornelli for their entrepreneurial efforts in establishing the Immigrant Business Networking Association.
The IBNA is a not-for-profit organisation that supports new immigrants to Australia gain access to local, professional and business networks that support them to achieve business and career success.
“My own family emigrated from Singapore when I was just nine years old and my parents had to take whatever work they could find regardless of their qualifications, so I fully appreciate the challenges immigrants face in establishing new careers and businesses,” Mr Goodenough said.
“The spirit of entrepreneurialism is something to be celebrated, particularly in those who are new to Australia.”
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