Members Annual Renewal Report
History: Commerce Ballarat is a result of a merger that occurred in 2004 between the Ballarat Chamber of Commerce and the Ballarat Retail Board.
By bringing together the operations of these two entities, increased opportunities have been created to promote business growth and development in Ballarat.
As one united voice for business, Commerce Ballarat operates as an independent body with a broad membership base, working collectively for the advancement of Ballarat businesses.
Today: Commerce Ballarat is located at 27 Doveton St Nth Ballarat.
Our Mission: To provide strong, reliable leadership and advocacy on all matters relevant to commerce in the greater Ballarat region.
Our Vision: To represent the industry sectors within the local Ballarat community by providing:
• Advocacy and support
• Networking opportunities
• A platform for members to build partnerships to enable them to grow their business
• An arena to address local issues at a local level.
Member Services:
Weekly Bulletin - Weekly newsletter distributed to over 1000 Ballarat business people.
Member News - An important part of our weekly bulletin is our member’s news section; all members have the opportunity to promote their news and events to over 1000 local business people.
Ballarat Business Directory - A comprehensive directory of our members, members have the ability to upload their corporate logo and details of their goods and services.
This directory is the only comprehensive business directory in Ballarat and as such is used extensively.
Member of the Week - Every Commerce Ballarat member has the opportunity to have their logo and business description placed on our home page for 1 week.
Business Event Calender - Members can both publicise and source upcoming business events and development programs.
505 Club - bi-monthly - A free evening of networking and fostering relationships to grow your business, hosted by our members within their business.
Info Comm Breakfasts - Information and Communication are the key to these breakfasts. Our members have the opportunity to hear speakers on a range of topical subjects.
Let’s Do Business - A relaxed afternoon barbeque was held in February for businesses to network and plan for the year ahead.
Commerce Ballarat Annual Golf Day - Our golf day is the most affordable corporate golf day in town ensuring that businesses of all sizes are able to participate.
Business Development - We contribute financially to the running of our programs and also source external funding to allow us to offer these events either free for members or at a nominal charge.
11/12 Examples:
• Online Retail Workshop
• Personal Properties Security Reform Workshop
• Business Awards Application Writing Process
• Let’s do Business in 2012
• Family Business presentation
• Carbon Pricing - The Impact on your Business Workshop
Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards:
Our business awards are in their 24th year and remarkably have retained the same naming rights sponsor since inception. The key to these awards is that we request feedback from our sponsors, applicants and judges; this feedback allows us to review and modify our processes each year.
2012 Awards
• New categories
• Modified categories
• Revised application booklet
• Media marketing
Our number one goal with the awards is to encourage more extensive and in depth business planning and review, these awards are also a great opportunity to reinforce and promote Ballarat business. Including nominations, entries, sponsors and attendance at the gala dinner; over 400 Ballarat businesses were involved. We are proud to say that the Ballarat business awards receive the most nominations, most applications and have the largest attendance at the Gala Dinner in Victoria.
B2b Business to Ballarat:
Our bi-annual advertising campaigns using local press, radio and television have proven very effective in promoting the importance of spending locally. This awareness campaign continues to receive positive comment from both business and the general public.
Representing our Membership:
• City of Ballarat Economic Expert Reference Group
• Ballarat West Precinct Structure Planning Steering Committee
• CBE Strategy Technical Working Group
• B31 Committee
• Civic Hall Site
• Ballarat Major Events Precinct Consortium
• November Public Holiday
Business Networks Alliance Victoria - BNAV
Commerce Ballarat was instrumental in forming this organisation, the aim of this initiative is to bring Victoria’s local business representative organisations closer together, to interact and learn from each other. Over the past two years these biannual meetings have been attended by groups from all over Victoria.
We have also lobbied on behalf of these groups to other state and national bodies. In August this year Commerce Ballarat has been asked to participate on a panel at the 2012 Chamber Business Congress at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Coming up in 2012/2013
• CGU Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards
• 505 Club hosted by The Courier
• 505 Club hosted by CVI and France in a Bottle
• InfoComm with Craig James, CommSec Chief
• Christmas Retail Competition
• B2b Buy Local Campaigns
• Race Day
• Inspiring Speakers
Some comments from our members:
"The main reason that my company has been and will be a member of Commerce Ballarat, is that we need an organisation that is the Voice and Face of small business. We need to be able to liaise with other small business and be kept informed of what is going on in our City." Mike Beaumont - Ballarat Meat Company
"Ballarat Mailworks is a family business that was established in October 2009 and immediately joined Commerce Ballarat. Without the initial support and guidance of Commerce, we would not now have a successful and viable business. Their ongoing support and communication to us is excellent and we thoroughly recommend any business new or old to become a member." Neil McLeod, Director - Ballarat Mailworks
"A fantastic resource we use to ensure current career based advice to young people and to link them with the Ballarat Business community." Brendan O’Connell, Partnership Broker - Team Leader - Highlands LLEN
"WHK is a strong advocate for Commerce Ballarat and has found the organisation to be an invaluable resource since we took over two local businesses in 2005 and 2006 (now operating under the one roof at 21 Armstrong St North). I have found Commerce Ballarat to be a dynamic, highly professional, useful, educational, valuable resource for WHK." Kathryn Egan, Branding & Marketing Manager - Western Victoria - WHK