Dynamic Business has learned that NSW Trade & Investment has today confirmed it is cutting all of its small business event programs. These include Small Business September, MicroBiz Week, the Young Entrepreneurs program and, ironically on International Women’s Day, the Women in Business mentoring program.
The magazine was media partner of last year’s Small Business September and an event we hosted was so popular it booked out within six hours, prompting us to hold a further event at the end of this month. It is not yet known if that will still go ahead.
Editor Jen Bishop said: “Small Business September is the only events program of its kind specifically for small business in New South Wales. I have seen for myself how popular the events are and it concerns me that these are being cut with no consultation.
“Small Business September was particularly good at providing small business events out in the regions. It has always been a month of celebration and recognition of the contribution small business makes to the community as well as a great time to educate business owners on the latest topics to help them grow their businesses. It does not seem to send the message that NSW Government supports these people who are the lifeblood of our economy. I will be interested to hear what they intend to replace these popular programs with.”
Small business owner Hazel Theocharous said: “It is against everything that the government should be standing for – what is happening for small business? The Women in Business Mentoring program which is an absolute godsend for new business owners who need guidance and assurance that they can take their business to the next level,”
“They are also cutting the September Small Business month? Why? This is an amazing month where so many businesses offer amazing free or cost-effective information to new or existing business owners wishing to learn something new or take their business to another level using the one platform,” Theocharous said.
“We get get a new Small Business Commissioner and then we lose so many amazing initiatives. We need to work together to ensure that the most important initiatives already around for us, remain around,” she added.
Dynamic Business is seeking comment from the office of Small Business Commissioner Yasmin King, who was appointed last year, and we will update this story as soon as we can.
