Warm and Sunny Greetings, Reader,
The countdown has begun to this year’s Panthers Australian Ironman, to be run in Port Macquarie on Sunday 6th April. The Australian Ironman, sponsored by Panthers, is a huge event for Port Macquarie (and surroundings) as it brings a very large number of people to this area for an extended time, and gains for us media coverage on a global scale.
This year we are expanding our Adopt An Athlete initiative that proved highly successful last year. Businesses are invited to adopt one or more athletes while they are here. Some bigger businesses have adopted up to 10 athletes. The idea works two ways. The athlete benefits by having someone to introduce them to Port Macquarie, and to provide a point of contact while they are here. The business benefits by being able to promote their connection with the athlete, and (with the athlete’s agreement) personal appearances by the athlete(s).
Where possible, we try to place athletes with a business related to their own occupation. This maximises the opportunities for cross-promotion between business and athlete.
Already more than 70 athletes have nominated for the program, with many more to come. Now we need businesses to register their interest. Many of the athletes were so happy with the program last year that they have requested to be adopted by the same business again. But we have many athletes who have not been adopted before. Most of the athletes will be here for at least a week before the event, so you have plenty of time to meet with your adoptee, and maybe to show them a bit of Port Macquarie hospitality.
If you or your business would like to Adopt An Athlete, please contact Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce on 6583 4412 or by email to executive@portchamber.com.au as soon as possible. (Port Chamber is coordinating responses from businesses while BEC and GPMTA are coordinating applications from athletes and doing the database matching.) This is another example of business and tourism working hand in hand for the benefit of the whole community.
It’s interesting to ponder the benefits an event like Panthers Australian Ironman brings to the community. Let’s assume 1,700 athletes with an average of 2 support people per athlete (that’s a pretty conservative estimate). 5,100 people staying in Port (or nearby) for an average of 7 days (many stay for the whole month preceding the event while they acclimatise and practice). That means 35,700 person-days, so lets put an estimate of $100 spend per person per day for food, accommodation, recreation, etc and straight away we have $3.57 Million pumped into the local economy.
Of course, my envelope scratching above was a very conservative estimate, and it would be easy to anticipate a benefit of much more than $5 Million. That’s why events like Panthers Australian Ironman are so important, and why the business community should go out of its way to provide every possible support for the event.
Interestingly, several athletes I’ve been in touch with have mentioned, unprompted, that they are looking to purchase property or looking to relocate to Port Macquarie. It’s interesting to note also that these are well-skilled and professional people – the kind of people who would make a very positive contribution to our community. Another little spin-off from hosting such an event.
OK, getting down from the soap-box, let’s have a look at events and issues:
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Intermediate Excel Workshop - 802C019 – Friday 29th February, 9am - 3pm one session only - $90
Introduction to Payroll - 802C003 - Thursdays 28th February to 27th March, 6pm - 9pm five sessions - $175
Quality Customer Relations - Business and career success depends on our ability to relate to our customers, learn about customer service strategies - Wauchope Community College Friday 14th March, 10am-4pm one session only - $80
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Next breakfast will be Thursday morning 13th March, from 7.00am till 8.30am at Panthers Pier One Restaurant.
Unfortunately J&H Tours will not be able to host this breakfast as previously advertised, due to a conflict with their touring schedule, and we will hold their event over till later in the year.
Instead we will take the opportunity to introduce several of our new Sponsor Members (and maybe throw in a little competition).
We also have three Minute On My Business spots, plenty of time for you to mix and meet, and possibly a door prize or several.
Please let me know that you are coming.
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Celebrates the Achievements of Women In the
Gala Presentation Dinner
Pre-dinner drinks at 6.30pm for 7.00pm commencement
Dress semi formal
Tickets $60 per person are available at
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Let’s discuss Generation Y – Community Evening Seminar
Mid Coast Youth Career Services in conjunction with Nexgen Impact would like to invite parents of high school age students as well business and community members to listen to key note speaker Michael McQueen, who was 1999 Young Business Person of the Year, discuss “Understanding and Engaging Generation Y" with a focus on how this generation views the concept ‘career pathways’ and the transition from school to work.
The event will take place at the following locations at 7pm for approximately one hour:
· Tuesday evening 4th March 2008
Note the venue is limited to 300 places.
· Thursday evening 6th March 2008.
PCYC Complex,
Note the venue is limited to 100 places.
The presentation is funded under the Australian Government's Career Advice
If you would like to attend this seminar and reserve your seat please call Carolyn Ellis or Sharon Rumbelow from Mid Coast Youth Career Services, Hastings Office on 6583 5910 for Port Macquarie bookings or Brendon Hook from Mid Coast Youth Careers Services, Manning Office on 6550 1444 for Taree bookings.
Bookings close 28 February 2008 and are limited.
For more information please visit Nexgen Impact’s website www.nexgenimpact.com.
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Join BCU’s online NRL footy tipping competition TODAY and out-tip a Titan!
Out-tip Jetstar Gold Coast Titans’ co-captain, Scott Prince in BCU’s own online NRL tipping competition and you could win an NRL GRAND FINAL BBQ for you and 25 of your mates plus great weekly prizes throughout the season, including tickets to Jetstar Gold Coast Titans’ home games, Titans’ merchandise, dinners, family passes to Dreamworld, golf packages, accommodation packages and more. The total prize money is over $7000!
Each week, Scott Prince posts his tips on the BCU ‘Out-tip a Titan’ webpage for that week’s round. Every player who out-tips Scott that week goes into a draw to win great weekly prizes and the end-of-season winner wins the Grand Final BBQ to be held at your place, or another suitable venue, with a plasma TV screen provided by BCU to watch the big game.
How do you enter?
It’s easy. If you’re over 18 years of age, all you have to do is go to www.bcu.com.au, follow the links to register online and start TIPPING! The NRL comp starts on 14 March so register now so you don’t miss any chances to play. Once registered, we’ll even send you reminder emails every week.
What’s more! It’s FREE!
Visit our website at www.bcu.com.au for more details, to view the list of weekly prizes and the competition terms and conditions.
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High Tea in the Vines - at Douglas Vale Heritage Vineyard and Cottage
Sunday 30 March
10.30am to 2.30pm
THE Social Event for 2008 - Fund Raiser with MC. Tommy Jeffs
Experience the age –old tradition of High Teas. Relax and enjoy the ambiance of the Douglas Vale Heritage Vineyard and Cottage.
For a day of pure decadence indulge in a buffet selection of freshly baked scones with home made Isabella jam, speciality pastries and assorted finger sandwiches. Choose from a wide range of teas, coffees and soft drinks. Wine tasting and wine sales will also be available on the day.
Download the detailed flyer from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/hightea.doc
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Michael Sharpe, Regional General Manager for Telstra Country Wide is a shy retiring gentleman (!) who is reluctant to push any of Telstra’s new technologies. Michael sent me some info about a new device that looks to be of great interest to many, many businesses in this region (and elsewhere).
The T-Pad is a mobile device that, effectively, takes the benefits of an EFTPOS terminal on the road with you. It allows business people to accept card payments from just about anywhere. Just think… no more accounts to prepare after a long day on the road. Wouldn’t you miss that?
As Michael says, “I presented this new device at the NSW Business chamber in Coffs recently, and the response was fantastic. This is just the start of some great business applications that will show why the NextG network is a step forward for regional areas.
I think this has application for both BEC and Home Business Network users, in fact any business that is concerned with improving cash flow or reducing bad debt.”
Download the brochures for a squizz, from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/tpad1.pdf and www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/tpad2.pdf and you can contact Telstra Country Wide at http://www.telstra.com/business/mobilepayments .
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Don’t forget, Port Macquarie Outrigger Canoe Club are holding their fourth Annual Corporate Challenge on Sunday 2nd March.
This is a great day out for the whole family and a great team building exercise for you and your employees. No paddling experience is necessary and everything you need is supplied including paddles, canoes and even steerers (so you don't even have to paddle in a straight line). All you need is 5 keen employees with a bit of a competitive spirit and a desire to have a go at something new. An invitation and indemnity form is attached with all the details including who to contact - so go on.... have a go!
Download details from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/indemnity and release.doc and www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/corporate day invite 08.doc
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Springboard to Business Success
Calling all growth oriented businesses and entrepreneurs.
Help has arrived in the
The first course for a maximum of 15 participants starts late March and runs for 10 weeks, two hours a week, followed by mentoring.
Business people wanting to participate should contact the
For more information contact David Ledgerwood on 0419 827709 or download full flyer from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/springboard1.doc
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Direction Accounting’s Business Growth and Success Seminar
will be presented in Port
“We have presented this seminar to Port Macquarie businesses over the last 5 years, seeing some remarkable results come from ideas implemented by those attending. The seminar is a great way to pick up business strategies aimed at increasing your business profitability and cashflow.
More importantly the seminar is locally produced and presented by us. It is NOT a seminar full of hype and ideas that can't be put into action locally. The ideas and concepts spoken about will give you ideas to be implemented the minute you open the doors the next morning.
Past seminars have sold out so be sure to mark the date in your diary and download a registration form and return to secure your ticket.”
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You might know them as The Hastings Foundation, but they are holding on 8th March a launch of their new name, Willing And Able Foundation.
A terrific new name reflecting the positive values of the organisation. More details to follow, next week, but keep a diary slot open on March 8th.
Information at http://www.willingandable.org.au/pages/about.html
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Final item. Today’s Port Macquarie News features an article about Tyla-Rose Brown, a local 9 year-old girl who is flying to the
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And that’s about it for another fun-filled week in beautiful Port Macquarie.
Thought for the week: " It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts."
--- Robert H. Schuller
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