Our Chamber
The Chamber’s Mission
The Bundaberg & District Chamber of Commerce seeks to:
- Monitor issues and advocate on behalf of our local business community
- Assist with the positive promotion of our region
- Engage with all levels of government and other organisations to work towards good outcomes for Bundaberg
- Work with our neighbouring regions for mutually beneficial results
The Role of Our Committee
Our Management Committee is a dedicated group with diverse points of view gathered from a variety of industries and backgrounds.
The tasks undertaken by the committee include:
- Managing the business of the Chamber
- Conducting activities to provide value for members
- Collaborating with government, industry and other organisations on behalf of our members
- Assisting with relevant issues that have been raised by our members e.g. providing advice on where to get help with specific aspects of business.
A Word From Our Chamber President
Welcome to Business in the Bundaberg Region.
As the Bundaberg Regional Council highlights, Bundaberg is emerging as one of Australia’s best regional communities in which to invest and live, and our Bundaberg business community strongly reflects this.
For several years now, Bundaberg businesses have shown sound economic growth, while generating diverse opportunities. Coupled with a fantastic lifestyle, Bundaberg is the perfect environment to grow both your business and your family.
Our local businesses and industries continue be buoyed along by a resurgence in local construction and manufacturing, while our Health, Education and agriculture sectors continue to perform well against other areas of the state and nation, as do those businesses that support these industries. Our new industries of ag-tech, bioproducts and defence are areas primed for investment and significant growth.
The Chambers management committee consists of dedicated individuals from a broad range of business, industry and community organisations, volunteering their time to ensure all sectors of the regions business portfolio are represented and advocated for.
Chamber continues to work closely with CCIQ (Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland), as well as our local, state and federal governments, ensuring the concerns and questions from our business community are heard and acted upon. We keep hearing that business is the backbone of our economy, then business growth, strength and resilience are essential for our economy.
We continue to work with other local partners such as Bundaberg Tourism, BFVG, UDIA and Bundaberg Canegrowers as well as other Chambers across the Wide Bay – Burnett. These strong partnerships allow Chambers voice to be amplified, contributing to the power of our membership.
Core Business Advocacy
We continue to work with all levels and both sides of government to put forward policy and advocate on behalf of our local businesses, the Chamber will continue to use its voice to ensure our business communities needs are heard and acted upon. Progressing through the year, members will have opportunities to be involved in policy direction to make certain the Chamber truly represents its members.
Casual Friday / Business After Hours
Our networking functions have continued to grow with host spots booked out months in advance. These events are a great way to showcase your business and are well patronized with positive comments from both the hosts and attendees. If you’re interested to know more about hosting a Chamber event, please contact us via email.
Breakfast Meetings
Our bi-monthly breakfast meetings continue to deliver opportunities for networking as well as delivering information and training functions for members. The Chamber management committee are working hard to ensure these events grow and evolve, while continuing to deliver the quality associated with these events.
In Summary
The 2020-2021 committee is working hard to serve the business community, delivering necessary services and information, as well as developing new opportunities, assisting in ensuring the long-term growth and prosperity of our members.
We will continue to add value to the business sector, with advocacy, business training, strategic alliances, and networking along with products and services designed to enhance business.
The Bundaberg and District Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the voice of Bundaberg and District businesses and invites all businesses to reach out and discover how Chamber can help your business thrive.
To Your Business Success.
Cheers,
Yale Morgan
President
Chamber Committee 20/21
Yale Morgan
PRESIDENT
Melissa Brooke
VICE PRESIDENT
Jo Donnison
SECRETARY
Bevan Moller
TREASURER
Chris Kettle
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Horst Feierabend
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Michael Cavellano
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Nikki Sorbello
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Steve Howard
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Membership Benefits
Advocacy
The Bundaberg and District Chamber of Commerce provides a voice for local businesses with all levels of Government and with the public through our local media.
Our strategic alliance with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) adds weight and furthers our reach when dealing with wider issues.
Networking
Chamber provides several networking opportunities each month in a range of locations. This ensures that members are meeting, engaging and interacting with other business professionals in a welcoming setting.
Information & Education
Chamber strives to provide our members with the most up-to-date business information from a wide variety of sources. We also provide or promote training opportunities that help our members improve their business skills.
Awards & Recognition
Our premier event, the annual Business Excellence Awards gala dinner, celebrates excellence and recognises the outstanding achievements of local businesses across a range of categories.
Throughout the year, businesses and individuals can also be recognised for providing outstanding customer service with a Chamber Customer Service Award. Anyone can nominate a person or business who has provided them with excellent service. If you are conistently getting rave reviews, be sure to let your customers know about the awards.
Membership Directory & Member Offers
All members are provided with a free business listing in the Chamber’s business directory. Make it easy to be found by those looking for specific types of businesses and also gain a valuable high credibility backlink for your own website.
You are also able to promote your business to other members through the Member Offers section.
Connect With Future Business Leaders
Chamber has developed collaborative relationships Central Queensland University and TAFE Queensland East Coast to assist students in engaging with our business community and vice versa. These mutually beneficial relationships open doors for students and provide opportunities for businesses to stay abreast of current thinking around certain aspects of business.
Chamber Chat
The Chamber Chat is the good news magazine published by the Bundaberg & District Chamber of Commerce. It is the ideal way get local business news and share news with your fellow members.
The Chamber Chat is THE publication to keep you up to date with the Bundaberg business community.
Young Business Bundaberg
Millennials are taking their place as tomorrow’s entrepreneurs now! Their input is changing the way we go about doing and running businesses.
Our business leaders of tomorrow are more tech savvy and are taking on the demands of business in many different and innovative ways.
The value that Millennials bring to the negotiation table is clever and it pushes the boundaries, changing and creating the narrative of how things should and will get done in the future.
Millennials represent not just a powerful demographic force, but a uniquely human resource: driven by deeply-held values, an instinct for purpose-led work and natural empathy.
So, the question for regional communities like Bundaberg is how to forge this new wave of business leaders and create the Chamber of tomorrow?
Young Business Bundaberg (Y.B.B.) is powered by the Bundaberg District Chamber of Commerce, aiming to embrace and prioritise the needs of 18 to 39 year olds in business locally!
Clearly, Millennials and members of Generation Y look at and interact in far different ways than generations that have come before and the Bundaberg and District Chamber recognise that and are very focused on promoting and harnessing that valuable contribution now, so that our business community remains strong into the future.
As a Chamber we understand that change is a constant and it has to be at the centre of our existence. We believe that through Y.B.B. our connection and engagement will be more valuable and come from a more meaningful place.
It is our responsibility to employ innovative strategies now so as to craft our networking, training and development efforts empowering our leaders of tomorrow!
The Bundy Chamber is proud to power Young Business Bundaberg.
So what does the year ahead look like for Y.B.B.?
Activities include:
- Networking Events
- Keynote Speakers
- Social Connections
- Training Workshop
- Technology Blasts
- Community Caring
- School Stuff
We want to hear from you, don’t just be a passenger – contribute!
Contact Chamber’s Y.B.B steering committee soon.
Bundy Pride
The Bundaberg Region is recognised globally for its iconic brands and boasts numerous award-winning businesses, producers and manufacturers. Bundy Pride was introduced as a formal program to promote the concept of ‘Bundaberg made and Bundaberg grown’ and generate interest in the Bundaberg region.
Bundy Pride has served us well for several years as a vehicle to achieve this. However, times and needs change and Chamber is currently considering the merits of putting more resources into other collaborative programs such as Love Bundy and Taste Bundaberg that are pursuing similar objectives.
Love Bundy
The Love Bundy Campaign is designed to make it easier for people to buy local. The campaign has been initiated by Bundaberg Regional Council in collaboration with the Chamber, the Bundaberg Business Enterprise Centre and a group of local traders.
Local businesses have the opportunity to be part of a combined marketing effort. At the same time, shoppers can save money and enjoy some fantastic bonuses by showing their local colours.
Small business is the heart of our town. Let’s keep it beating strong!
Follow #lovebundy on social media.
Taste Bundaberg
The name Taste Bundaberg represents a couple of things…
Firstly, it is a series of events run from May through to August where locals and visitors can experience the amazing food and beverage offerings of the Bundaberg region. The events are run by individual businesses and organisations with the calendar primarily coordinated and promoted by Bundaberg Tourism with input from a dedicated Chamber representative and other stakeholders.
Secondly, ‘Taste Bundaberg’ is an ongoing concept and brand being driven by Bundaberg Tourism to promote our diverse food production all year round.
Follow #tastebundaberg on social media.
Awards
Business Excellence Awards
Our annual celebration of business in the Bundaberg region. The annual gala dinner is normally held in May and recognises excellence across a range of categories.
People’s Choice Award
Presented at the annual Business Excellence Awards, the People Choice Award is voted on by the public. To be eligible for voting, businesses must be nominated in a Business Excellence Award category.
Local Legends in Business
We love to recognise great customer service on a regular basis at our Chamber meetings.
Have you received service that was ‘above and beyond’? Do you have a team member that consistently exceeds expectations?
Nominate someone to be recognised for their efforts today.
As a Chamber Member You Are Never Alone in Business
Becoming a member of the Bundaberg & District Chamber of Commerce is a great way to make new contacts, talk with people who are on the same path as you and even find a mentor. As a member, you will also have access to numerous member-only benefits.
Follow Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce