ABEA has joined the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) which is made up of associations across various industries, representing trades and professionals from hairdressers, newsagents and livestock transporters to accountants, financial brokers and family businesses.
With ABEA onboard, COSBOA will now extend its remit to advocating for small businesses in the business events sector.
The focus for the collaboration between ABEA and COSBOA will be on lobbying for policy change in taxes, subsidies, grants, workforce development and fair work practices.
“Welcoming ABEA into the COSBOA network is another step forward in our mission to support small businesses,” said COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat.
“The business events sector includes dynamic suppliers, organisers and venues that manage and deliver conferences, exhibitions and meetings each year, which are vital to our economy and community.
“By working together, we can better address the unique challenges faced by small businesses in this sector, such as reducing administrative burdens and industrial relations amendments.
“The connecting of our organisations will enable us to present a united front to government and policymakers, ensuring that the needs of small businesses in this sector, as well as others, are heard and addressed,” he said.
Advocacy efforts will also focus on a broader message of the significant impact of the business events industry in Australia.
“Joining COSBOA offers opportunities for our members across Australia who work to produce approximately 500,000 business events annually which deliver on critical trade, education, health and innovation outcomes required by the business, government and for purpose sectors,” said ABEA CEO Melissa Brown.
“Small businesses underpin our sector, provide thousands of jobs and bring innovative thinking to our industry.
“Having a voice within the COSBOA influence will provide access to critical advocacy and resources, from workforce development and cyber security through to addressing red tape and industrial relations issues.
“This collaboration will strengthen COSBOA’s ability to represent a wider array of small businesses and will empower ABEA to support its members in navigating policy changes, addressing unique challenges and enhancing their capabilities,” said Brown.
Despite many businesses in the sector being small businesses – those with fewer than 20 or fewer than 15 staff, depending on who you ask – ABEA has yet to appoint a board member from a small business, but there are plans to.
“[Small business] make up 97 per cent of organisations in Australia, which constitutes a large portion of our membership base, so the appointment of a small business representative to the board is important to us,” ABEA chair Peter King told micenet.
“As we mark our first year of operation, we continue to evolve in line with our charter as outlined in our constitution. As such, we are keen to ensure membership has the correct representation, and that means we are seeking to add a small business representative.
“In doing so, the board will be seeking guidance from the members on who that appointment should be. This approach ensures greater representation and engagement from our small business community,” he said.
