Business education

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Overview

The Destination and Economy Team, in collaboration with key stakeholders, regularly deliver informative and inspiring educational events, forums and workshops that provide you with knowledge, skills and networking opportunities to help your business flourish.

Our sessions are delivered in various formats and often include breakfast meetings, evening workshops and forums, as well as half-day and whole day interactive educational events.

Register for current events or search for resources from previous sessions.

Have an idea for a workshop topic you’d love to learn more about? Contact the Destination and Economy Team on (02) 6625 0500 or email business@lismore.nsw.gov.au.

Current workshops and forums

Our next educational events are currently under development.  Keep your eye on the Business Newsletter to hear about them first in 2024!

Previous workshops and resources

Search for previously held sessions to access helpful resources and contacts so you have the best tools at your fingertips:

Unlocking Agritourism Potential: Your Guide to Permissible Land Uses

On July 23, the Gordon Pavilion at Oakes Oval in Lismore became the hub for an insightful agritourism workshop aimed at farmers and rural landholders eager to diversify their land use or venture into small-scale rural businesses. The event focused on how the newly opened Northern Rivers Rail Trail could drive increased visitor numbers to the region, offering an exciting opportunity for participants to capitalise on this emerging tourism boost.

Throughout the engaging one-hour session, attendees explored recent planning reforms that have unlocked new possibilities for rural landowners. Using the Rail Trail as a focal point, teams from Strategic Planning, Planning and Environment, and Destination and Economy provided valuable guidance on tailoring farm experiences or establishing farm-gate stalls and roadside businesses. The workshop created a space for learning, sharing innovative ideas, and fostering connections with fellow rural entrepreneurs, offering participants a fresh perspective on seizing the economic potential of agritourism.

See the presentation here(PPTX, 19MB) .

Employee Retention Strategies and Employment Law Update Workshop

Effective Workplace Solutions’ Managing Director Karen Arnold provided an overview of effective retention strategies that aim to create an environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated to stay with your business long term. Karen also provided insights into major workplace law changes that occurred in December 2023 and January 2024 that may have significant impacts for businesses.

Handouts for EWS Breakfast Presentation - Employee Retention and Law

Business Education Workshop on the Cycle Economy

Lismore City Council’s Destination and Economy Team in partnership with Richmond Valley Council held a Business Education Workshop on the Cycle Economy, 4 March 2024 at the Gordon Pavilion at Oakes Oval.

The facilitator of the workshop was business innovation expert Rowan Lamont, owner of Blue Sky Trails. Rowan is an experienced business consultant and innovation coach who connects people to nature, engages communities and grows regional economies.

Rowan spoke on how off-road cycling can transform communities, economies and wellbeing.

Resources:

Building Business Success with the NRRT Presentation

Delivered in collaboration with Richmond Valley Council and Tweed Valley Council, Meredith Wray, a leading regional tourism expert assisted businesses to understand the economic opportunities surrounding the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and how they can capitalise on this new regional asset. The event on 16 November 2023 included insights from ambassadors from the Tweed section of the Rail Trail, updates on project construction at Lismore, and knowledge sharing to support business growth and diversification.

Resources include:

Branding for the modern business landscape

Delivered in collaboration with Business Lismore and presented by Ryan McCann from Lion & Lamb Design agency, this very informative, fact-filled 3 hour workshop on October 25, 2023 provided participants with a great understanding of how branding can be a powerful tool to convey business values, messaging and storytelling to create a strong emotional connection with customers who share those values, leading to brand loyalty and long-term success.

Let your brand shine! Simplify your socials with AI

Delivered in collaboration with the Nimbin Chamber of Commerce and presented by Kylie Mowbray-Allen from Hello Media a full day workshop was delivered on October 27, 2023 on how to utilise AI tools for super-fast content generation, strategies to simplify social media activities, and alternative methods for optimising social media management.

Resources:

Canva template - brand style guide.

YouTube links for very clever ads:

Links for some of our work with clients using stock pics and video from Canva, or content clients have shot on phones:

Other resources re. AI:

Provide your feedback

We’re always looking for ways to improve our events, and we’d love to hear your feedback. If you’ve attended one of our sessions, please take a few minutes to complete our survey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FLPZK8G.

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