Young Entrepreneurs Summit returns in-person

Published on 17 June 2021

Council’s third annual Central West Young Entrepreneurs Summit returns in-person this year with a huge lineup of some of Australia’s most successful businesspeople.

The event will be held at Parklands Resort on Thursday, 5 August after heading online last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Co-ordinated with small business in mind, the summit will showcase some of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs who launched major brands including Budgy Smuggler, Camplify, Straight to the Source and Knafeh.

These entrepreneurs will share their successes, failures and insights in a broad range of fields including renovation, design and construction, social media, fashion and retail, technology and the shared economy, tourism, agribusiness and hospitality.

“This is a great event for local business to learn for entrepreneurs who have grown multi-million dollar companies from scratch,” Council’s General Manager, Brad Cam said.

“I encourage anyone in local business to come along and learn more.”

Leading this year’s event are The Block favourites Kyal and Kara. Since featuring on the Channel Nine program the couple have launched their own design and construction business and completed more than 35 renovation program as well as building a huge social media following.

Co-founder of one of Australia’s biggest swimwear brands, Budgy Smuggler, Adam Linforth will share his experiences developing a fashion brand that is now shipped internationally.

“We're in a time where regional businesses can reach national and global audiences,” Mr Linforth said.

“People actually care about where products come from. That's a great combination. I’m excited to network and share my business journey with the professionals attending the summit.”

CEO and founder of Camplify, Justin Hales created Australia’s largest caravan, camper and motorhome sharing community and has a wealth of insight into the tourism and sharing economy.

Founding partner of Straight to the Source, Tawnya Bahr, will discuss agribusiness and matching chefs and the public with growers and farmers, and finally co-founder of Knafeh, Ameer El-Issa will talk about launching his hugely popular businesses in Sydney, Melbourne and New York.

A networking event will be held following the summit, when participants can chat one on one with speakers. The Central West Young Entrepreneurs Summit will be held at Parklands Resort, Mudgee on Thursday 5 August. Tickets are $149 at youngentrepreneurssummit.com.au.

The event is open to all business owners, employees and students in the Central West.

Council is proud to deliver the Central West Young Entrepreneurs Summit after securing funding through the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 3.