Docklands Chamber of Commerce report

Docklands Chamber of Commerce report

Docklands Chamber of Commerce report

Greetings to everyone in Docklands. The Docklands Chamber of Commerce new monthly column aims to bring you all the latest information on what the chamber has being doing.

Our suburb is supported by Destination Docklands whose job is to activate Docklands through events and visitation. Its role is to market Docklands. The chamber’s role is to support local businesses and to represent their views and concerns.

To be an effective representative, the chamber must have a strong membership base. Therefore, we have recently embarked upon a membership drive. All businesses, large and small, are actively encouraged to become members; attend our many networking meetings and add YOUR voice and support to the Docklands business community.  Under new leadership, we aim to be relevant and deliver services that meet the needs of our membership.

Let me provide a brief overview of chamber activities over the past few months.  In October last year, the chamber’s executive committee was a key organiser and participant in the Melbourne Waterfront Forum. Chamber president Stephen Clement is now an active member of the Waterfront Connections Committee, which evolved out of that forum. The task is to refine and consolidate the approach to the use, promotion and governance of Melbourne’s waterfront, which will ultimately benefit local businesses.

The chamber is also a member of the Melbourne Business Precinct Board. This is a management body that provides an opportunity to liaise with other Melbourne precinct representatives and City of Melbourne officials.

We are represented on the Docklands Community Forum, which meets bi-monthly and provides an opportunity for this representative group to discuss issues of concern to Docklands and provide feedback and recommendations to the Docklands Steering Committee. This meeting is open to the community to attend and, if you are at all interested in Dockland’s future, this is a forum you should attend. The next meeting is scheduled to be held 6pm, Wednesday March 27, venue TBA. Please check the chamber’s website or http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/getinvolved/Pages/DocklandsCommunityForum.aspx for details

We attend many functions, events and forums, on behalf of the chamber, throughout the year. If you attend our network meetings you will learn about these activities and have an opportunity to have your say.

Our first post-election public meeting was held on November 12 last year at the Woolshed Pub co-hosted by Destination Docklands. We were very fortunate to have the Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor, several councillors and City of Melbourne officials present. It was a very well attended event and the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle took questions from the floor.

We held the first Chamber networking event for 2013 on January 15, on board Quest III, a luxury yacht berthed near Alumbra and Va Bene on Central Pier. This was a very informative and interactive session with many questions being asked and information given out as to ways to promote business within Docklands. Cirque Du Soleil attended and invited local businesses to participate in the season by offering special Cirque du Soleil packages to their many visitors – an example of Docklands working together!

On February 19, the chamber also hosted a “Digital Opportunities for your Business” networking afternoon at Waterfront Venues, where Tourism Victoria and City of Melbourne presented on ways that businesses can connect through the digital medium to promote themselves beyond Docklands. An outcome of this meeting is that we will plan to run a classroom-style session for members to be coached in how to use the many effective marketing tools available to businesses. This will be free to members, and will be subject to demand.

The next chamber networking meeting promises to be an extravaganza not to be missed! So ensure your attendance by becoming a member today. Wonderland Fun Park will showcase the Wonderland Spiegeltent, entertainment Hub of Docklands with the best in live theatre, stand-up comedy, music, cabaret and circus. At the next meeting you will be entertained by the Nelson Twins ALIVE a most unique comedy act and Lilikoi Kaos, the princess of circus side show and vaudeville and more … simply Spiegeliscious.    Put Tuesday, March 19 in your diaries for 6.30pm. More information will be sent out to our members shortly. Or check http://www.docklandscc.com.au for details.

Looking ahead, we receive many requests to host events at members’ venues and we are excited about bringing consistent quality networking and information sessions to our members and guests over the coming year.

This is the first chamber column and there is a lot to cover in just a few paragraphs. Join the chamber today, it is low cost and tremendous value. We are as good as our membership – so become part of our movement to make a difference in Docklands.

For more information on chamber activities or becoming a member – email Nandini at [email protected].

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