PRAWN FEST 2010 BIGGER THAN EVER

THE Beenleigh-Yatala Chamber of commerce is expecting to cater for around 700 members of the business community at the upcoming 14th Annual Prawn Lunch at Woongoolba this month.

It’s a far cry from the group of 40 local business leaders who originally gathered on the banks of the Logan River to feast on the multi award-winning Gold Coast Tiger Prawns, but the principal is exactly the same.

Beenleigh-Yatala Chamber’s executive office Lindsey Hamilton, says the support for the event is a reflection of the enthusiasm for both the product, and the opportunity to mix with the large number of business leaders who attend the event from all over South-East Queensland.

“These prawns are cooked fresh on the morning of the event and are the best prawns you will ever taste,” says Hamilton.

“The event attracts the who’s who of decision makers and a major appeal is the opportunity to be able to get together with all these people at the one place.”

Senior executives from key sponsors Carlton United Breweries and De Bortoli Wines are just two of the plethora of high profile business representatives that will be attending.

The 14th Annual Prawn Lunch will take place at Marks Road Woongoolba, near Beenleigh on March 12.

More info at: www.BeenleighRegion.com.au

LEARN LEADERSHIP FROM THE LEADERS

FORMER CEO of Ramsay Health Care Patrick Grier heads up an impressive roster of business leadership experts presenting at the Southern Cross University (SCU) Business Insights seminar this month.

Hosted by the university’s Graduate College of Management, the latest seminar will focus on leadership and features guest lectures from Grier, associate professor Peter Miller of SCU and associate professor Carol Dalglish of the QUT School of Management.

Grier is a recipient of the Order of Australia and is recognised as one of the country’s leading CEOs.

He continues to play a corporate role as a director of major Australian companies including Ramsay Health and Prime Media and is also chair of Southern Cross University’s Foundation Board.
Grier says he will be sharing some of the keys to success at the Business Insights evening.

“Leadership is the most important ingredient for a successful organisation, especially in tough times,” he says.

“Good leadership creates a culture where everybody gives everything they can to ensure the success of the organisation.

“Leadership is the glue that holds everything together, and it’s the leader that creates the future for the organisation.”

Dalglish and Miller will be providing specific insights into leadership in the Asia-Pacific area and will also use the event to launch their new co-written book Leadership: Understanding its Global Impact.

“Most resources available on leadership in this country are adaptations of American or European books on the topic,” says Miller.

“We are very proud that our book is the first truly comprehensive book on leadership in Australasia. Leadership here is very different to leadership in America and elsewhere and we are hoping to share knowledge that Australian leaders can identify with more closely.”

The event will take place on March 10 at Southern Cross University’s new Gold Coast campus at Bilinga.

More info at: www.scu.edu.au/businessinsights.

INTERNATIONAL IT ENTREPRENUER TO SPEAK ON ‘THE NET GENERATION’

IN an Australian Institute of Management (AIM) event this month, co-founder and director of Canadian-based global online youth community TakingITGlobal.org will share his insights on recruiting and engaging with ‘the net generation’.

‘The net generation’ are on the very cusp of technology and its application, and being part of a global online community is in their DNA. They wield networks, information and content with ease and have been trained since early childhood to collaborate and hunt for information.

Michael Furdyk has shared his expertise in youth engagement at forums all over the world including the World Congress on IT, the US Government’s National Youth Summit and TED.

The 28-year-old co-founded TakingITGlobal.org, a non profit organisation focused on promoting awareness of global issues among youth, in 1999.

Since then the online community has grown to include in excess of 230,000 active members across more than 260 countries.
Furdyk has made numerous media appearances including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Time Magazine, Fast Company, BusinessWeek, and USA Today.

When he brings his unique seminar to the Gold Coast’s Sofitel Hotel on March 12, Furdyk looks beyond generational characteristics and labels to explore how this technologically savvy workforce will shape the way businesses grow over the next decade.

More info at: www.aimevents.com.au

Bloomtools/GCBN Internet Secrets Seminar

Gold Coast Business News and Bloomtools presents...Presence Online VS Results Online

A must-see seminar for business owners about maximising the internet for more sales and profits!

You are invited to learn the secrets of the internet and how to:

- Get on page one of Google
- Drive qualified leads to take action on your website
- Get customers to stay with you longer, tell more people about you and buy more
- Streamline your business
- Keep abreast of the future of the internet

We have invited internet expert Tracey Voyce from website development company Bloomtools to come along and teach you these secrets. Tracey speaks around Australia and New Zealand sharing these strategies with business owners, and having heard her before, we know it's well worth the investment of your time.

Book below so you don't miss out!

This seminar is also running in Brisbane (please refer to Brisbane Business News Events Calendar for details).

Venue: Radisson Resort Carrara
Start Time: 7.45am
Date: Tuesday 23rd March 2010
Ending: 10:00am
Phone Enquiries: 1300 726 433 to register

COVE BOAT SHOW ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT LAUNCHES

WITH two months of planning still to go for the event, an array of world and Australian new product launches has been confirmed for the 22nd Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Regarded as one of the premier stages for leading international marine manufacturers to showcase their latest innovative products, the Boat Show will unveil more than 35 new products including luxury power boats, sail yachts, the latest engine technology and personal watercraft.

Among the numerous exhibitions will be high profile Gold Coast manufacturer Maritimo’s 13-boat $20 million display that will include the world release of the 47 Sports Cabriolet and the 470 Offshore Convertible sportfisher.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show general manager Barry Jenkins, says the introduction of world-first facilities including a dedicated sea trial area, has further improved the popularity of Australasia’s leading marine exhibition.

“This year we have introduced some new components of the 2010 Show and that is drawing support from exhibitors,” says Jenkins.
“Exhibitors such as Twin Disc, Navico Australia, Yanmar Diesel Engines and Sirocco Marine North have already booked space.
“We are delighted that Australian and international exhibitors have chosen the Show as the site for their world or regional marine product launches.”

The 22nd Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is held at Sanctuary Cove from Thursday, May 20 to Sunday, May 23.

More info at: www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au