13 May 2002

A business seminar being organised by Hutt City aims to bring businesses and Council together in a forum where there can be a free and frank discussion about how to build a competitive, thriving and economically successful environment in Hutt City said Mayor John Terris.

The seminar, sponsored by the Evening Post, is to be held at Industrial Research Ltd's McDiarmid Centre on the 28th May, and is a first for Hutt City.

Keynote speaker is Greg Peel, the head of Strategic Development at Bendigo Bank ( http://www.bendigobank.com.au) The Bendigo Bank is a leader in community development and Greg Peel will speak about how his bank is involved in community development, how it works in practice and provide some case studies.

Gareth Morgan of economics consultancy Infometrics, Rick Wells of Formway Furniture and chair of the Seaview/Gracefield Project Team and Jim Donovan, Managing Director of Isambard round out the speakers.

"This seminar is proof of our commitment to creating an environment that encourages sustainable economic growth and provides jobs for our people," said Mayor John Terris.

"We are also clearly saying that Council cannot create this environment on its own. We can facilitate and we can establish the framework, but ultimately business and entrepreneurs will be the drivers of success.

Hutt City Chief Executive Rik Hart said the seminar would also be an opportunity for business to provide further input into the draft Economic Development Strategy, which will be launched in July.

"We have some excellent speakers lined up who should provide some lively and thoughtful opinions on a range of subjects. However, this is definitely not a talkfest - we want to engage business in discussion and hear their views on how and what we can do to encourage growth in the city," said Rik Hart.

"We also want to use the event to showcase some of the outstanding successes of Hutt businesses - we have the talent and ability to compete on the world stage and we should be proud of that and celebrate it."

"At the end of the day we want this event to stimulate and motivate attendees to keep innovating and investing in transforming the Hutt City economy in partnership with Council."

The theme of the seminar, "Partnership and Transformation," is recognition of the transformation that has already occurred in Hutt City's economy (and that it is an ongoing and continual process), and reinforces our belief that great things will be achieved, if we are successful in building strategic partnerships between local businesses and Council.

Industrial Research is providing the venue free of charge.

Site manager Les Roberts said Industrial Research fully supported the aims and objectives of the seminar.

"We are proud of our history and long association with Hutt City and whatever we can do to facilitate and encourage discussion about how to help this city grow and prosper, we will do. We're looking forward to participating."

Invitations have been extended to a wide cross section of Hutt City businesses and others with a role in promoting employment in the city.

ENDS

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