I would like to take this opportunity at end of financial year and with the recent NSW state budget to provide you with a few figures from WSBC to highlight how we are providing business connections across Western Sydney that generate brand awareness, lead generation, learning and engagement for both the economic and social growth of our members and the region.

Over the past year we have seen a 20% increase in the number of new members joining the WSBC Community. Our business leader luncheons this past year, held right across our region, have seen increases in attendance from 170 to 250 with the last three being sold out. 

All this means more new faces and new organisations for you to connect with. 

We’ve seen the most growth in our gold membership category and over the past year our gold and platinum members have showcased their thought leaderships, services, products and member offers with over 300 news items via our website, increasing their brand awareness across the region.

All this activity has seen the WSBC community engage with over 3,300 businesses, an increase of 800 new businesses this past year. 

In July we launch our new strategies to grow membership and a new focus in the SW region to provide further connections between industry, education and government. 

The improved member benefits and value proposition and particularly the way we work with members to understand their needs and utilise the right tools at our disposal to achieve them is now kicking some goals. In the new membership year we hope to see further growth and engagement as WSBC continues to grow as part of our members marketing and BD teams and an extension of their BD strategies. 

Also in the year ahead we have our five business leader luncheons, including topics such as health, infrastructure, regional economic development, leadership and our main event of the year The State of The Region address by the Premier of NSW The Hon Mike Baird. A date for your diaries is 6 October. All other dates can be found on our website and look out for the GWS Employment Forum with Newscorp and TAFE WSi due to be confirmed soon. This will address the employment issues businesses in our region face and provide advice for business owners, HR departments and the future of the regions workforce. We have 2 remaining event partner positions available, so get in quick to secure a great platform to promote your business and share your thoughts on this popular subject in our region.

By now I hope you have all managed to review the results of the first piece of research on Making Western Sydney Greater, a research project lead by William Buck in conjunction with WSBC and Platinum partners St George Bank and UWS. The second of this bi-annual research is in progress now and you have until the end of the week to get involved and help shape the future of our regions economy. Please view the website and our twitter feeds for links to the survey. The more organisations contribute the more information we have to advocate on your behalf and take to government at all levels. 

Full details of these and more of Western Sydney’s projects, along with articles to assist you in managing and growing your business are located on the WSBC news pages. 

WSBC, along with many key stakeholders in the region are also contributing to Deloitte’s Shaping Future Cities Strategies. It is another piece of extensive research that will represent businesses thoughts to government on key projects and strategies on how the region can generate over 200,000 jobs in the region. I believe further news will be ready in Q2 of the financial year and we will of course bring you up to date with all developments. 

To be part of this growing and vibrant community please contact us or simply join up straight away. Can your business benefit from up to date information on the region and business connections with over 3,300 businesses? Find out more on how you can benefit from the WSBC Business Development tool.