Wanneroo Business Association held its AGM at Portofinos Restaurant and Function Centre on July 16 and launched its strategic plan.
WBA president Vesna Sampson said the association had been through a successful year, with major changes since she took up the position last November.
Ms Sampson said the association had 239 members, with 52 people representing various companies, plus local and state governments at the AGM.
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READ NOW‘We had the members forum at the beginning of the year (2014) ” we invited members and also stakeholders, anybody who wanted to contribute what they wanted our business community to evolve to,’ she said.
Ms Sampson said the event turned into two sessions with about 80 participants because so many businesses wanted to contribute.
She said the strategic plan would see the association become financially self-sufficient by doubling its membership.
‘We have secured City of Wanneroo funding for another three years ” the funding will be tapered down,’ Ms Sampson said.
‘As an association we are really excited about the direction we are going in ” we know we have set the bar quite high.’
The president said highlights of the previous year included the Kingsway Business Expo in April, which saw about 16,400 people go through the two-day event, and two annual fundraising quiz and auction nights which raised $25,000 ” half of which covered costs and a third was donated to the YouthCARE chaplaincy service.
Looking ahead, Ms Sampson said they would seek the City’s support to create a co-working space at the Enterprise House in Wanneroo.
Board member Todd Sainsbury said it could become a hub for small business and encourage an engaged, innovative community in that area.
Wanneroo MLA Paul Miles said the association started in the 1990s and population growth in the City meant there needed to be more jobs created locally.