In this edition:

Council wants to hear from businesses about the challenges youface and how you think Council can help businesses in Brisbane.

You can find Council’s survey at: www.tnsonlinesurveys.com.au/CouncilBusinessSurvey

This is your chance to tell Council what you think. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

Businessin Brisbane Edition 4:

January to March 2015

133 BNE@brisbanecityqld

BrisbaneCityCouncilBrisbaneCityCouncil

In this edition

Page 2 | 133 BNE anniversary

Business workshop

News in brief

Page 3 | New Chief Digital Officer

Shopping in the CBD

Asia Pacific Cities Summit

Page 4 | Case study

Business events

Graffiti prevention

A message from Lord Mayor Graham QuirkHappy New Year and welcome to the first edition of Business in Brisbane for 2015.

Economic development continues to be a priority for Council this year. The legacy of G20 together with upcoming international events and conferences, such as the Asia Pacific Cities Summit, will continue to drive local business growth and offer investment and development opportunities for our city.

This edition includes details of my free Business Excellence Workshop being held in March, as well as information on stallholder opportunities at the new Fortitude Valley Markets and how you can apply to install street tree lights around your businesses.

We shine a spotlight on CBD retail and Brisbane’s new Chief Digital Officer who is driving the city’s Digital Strategy. The chance to win a social media audit for your business is also up

for grabs and I encourage you all to enter.

This edition also features information on the Graffiti Small Business Assist program and business-related events and activities.

I wish your business every success in 2015 and I encourage you to get in touch with your comments, feedback and ideas for future editions of Business in Brisbane.

Graham Quirk LORD MAYOR

The survey is being conducted by TNS on behalf of Council.

Brisbane business update

Two years of 133 BNE successCouncil’s Business Hotline, 133 BNE, is celebrating two years of success with more than 65,000 responses provided to business enquiries since its launch in 2012.

The hotline, available by calling 133 BNE (133 263), is dedicated to making it easier to do business in Brisbane by providing a responsive and

direct client managed service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Those doing or looking to do business in Brisbane can call 133 BNE for enquiries ranging from food licensing, advertising, waste services and commercial opportunities to upcoming events, development applications and transport services.

Over the coming months a new web chat service will

also be launched, making it easier for customers to connect with Council.

Survey results show the hotline has a high satisfaction rating of 92 per cent among businesses, with 93 per cent of respondents saying it saves time compared to using other Council contact methods.

For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/business or call 133 BNE (133 263).

News in briefValue for money venue hire: Council venues and facilities can be hired for events including weddings and receptions, exhibitions, business functions and conferences.

You can view photo galleries of most locations and read about the facilities, hire charges and booking conditions at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. To book fill out a booking enquiry form online or call 3407 0811, Monday to Friday between 8am and 4.30pm.

Stallholder opportunities: the new Fortitude Valley Markets, launched in October 2014, offer a variety of mobile food stalls, licensed and themed eating areas, vintage markets, live entertainment and creative pop-up concepts.

The markets operate on Saturdays and Sundays, with

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Friday and Saturday evening opening hours coming soon.

Stallholders interested in trading should visit www.fortitudevalleymarkets. com.au and complete the online application form.

Install street trees lights near your business: Brisbane businesses can now apply on Council's website for a

permit to install and maintain

bud lighting in street trees

adjacent to their location.

Properly installed and well-

maintained street tree lighting

can help increase night time

patronage to an area while

also improving safety.

For full terms and conditions,

visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Free business workshopLocal business owners and operators can take advantage of a free business workshop on Wednesday 4 March and hear from industry experts about ways to develop and grow their business.

The Lord Mayor’s Business Excellence Workshop will feature presentations from key industry speakers on innovation, communication and funding growth. The event is run in conjunction with Queensland Leaders and allows business owners and budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to ask questions, seek advice and network with other local businesses.

Speakers include Queensland Leaders General Manager Stephen Beirne, Articulous Communications Managing Director Amanda Newbery, QUT Executive Director Bob O'Connor and Bankwest Director Doug Smith.

Date: Wednesday 4 March

Time: 1.40-5.40pm

Venue: Newnham Hotel, 516 Newnham Road, Upper Mount Gravatt

Register: email economic_development@

brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 133 BNE (133 263).

For full program details, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/

business

Growing local business

New Chief Digital Officer brings diverse backgroundLocal digital strategist Cat Matson was appointed as Brisbane’s new Chief Digital Officer in September 2014, tasked with continuing the implementation of the Digital Brisbane Strategy.

As the former CEO of social

media software start-up

Hearis and panel chair of the

Networx events for marketers,

Cat is well-known for her work

as a marketing and business

strategist in Brisbane.

Cat will encourage small to medium sized businesses to take up digital technology, and is looking forward to creating opportunities for collaboration and industry growth within the city's start-up and digital industries.

Since the Digital Brisbane Strategy commenced in 2013, the Digital Brisbane team has engaged with more than 4500 local businesspeople through events, tutorials, trade fairs and training sessions.

For more information, visit www.digitalbrisbane.com.au

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Competition

Win a social media audit for your business.

Have up to four social media accounts reviewed by Digital Brisbane, and get practical advice on how to maximise your efforts to get the highest possible return on investment.

To enter the draw, simply fill in your contact details by visiting www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/business-competition before midnight on 26 February. The winner will be notified in early March.

Summit to boost Brisbane’s business profile The 10th Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) will be held in Brisbane from 5-8 July, and will be attended by leaders of business and government looking to establish trade and exchange ideas on future prosperity and sustainable living in cities.

The theme of the summit is ‘Business and Leadership in the Asia Pacific’ and topics to be addressed include innovation, technology, urbanisation, and fostering clean, green, accessible and inclusive cities.

The first keynote speakers announced are Lord Sebastian Coe KBE and Randi Zuckerberg, who will impart their diverse experience and knowledge to attendees.

Leveraging the momentum of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the mayors

of capital cities in G20 countries and a further 300 mayors from the Asia Pacific region have been invited to attend.

The APCS was established by Brisbane City Council in 1996 and is held biennially with the venue alternating between Brisbane and a host city from the Asia Pacific Region. The Brisbane summit in 2011 attracted 1150 delegates.

For more information, visit www.apcsummit.org or call 3403 8888.

Spotlight on CBD retailThe local and international retail industry has set its sights on Brisbane’s inner-city areas of Edward Street and the Queen Street Mall precinct.

Edward Street is emerging as a preferred luxury shopping destination with the arrival of international brands Burberry and Bvlgari. American retail giant Forever 21 unveiled its first Australian store in the Queen Street Mall in October, while iconic London fashion chain Top Shop opened its largest Australian store in the precinct in late 2013.

This influx of high-profile retailers enhances our reputation as a New World City and highlights the confidence international

brands have in the Brisbane retail sector.

Inner-city small businesses and fashion boutiques can take advantage of the increased attention, with well-known brands acting as a drawcard for both interstate and international shopping enthusiasts.

New and existing retail stores in the CBD can also utilise the marketing and public relations opportunities offered by Brisbane Marketing’s CBD retail sector.

For more information, visit www.brisbanemarketing.com.au or call 3006 6200.

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Case study: building retail success in the CBDMitchell Ogilvie Menswear is one of the Brisbane CBD’s greatest retail success stories.

A purveyor of international labels including Paul Smith and Brioni, Mitchell Ogilvie Menswear has ranked among Australia’s top premium menswear retailers for more than 30 years.

Since opening the store in his early twenties, Mitchell has built a reputation for quality products and top-end customer service.

“I knew the luxury end of the market had potential and my goal was to provide Brisbane residents with access to top-quality fashion,” he says.

“Having that clear goal was essential because to succeed as an independent high-end retailer you need

to build credibility and that doesn’t happen overnight.”

Mitchell Ogilvie Menswear is now in its biggest store to date and is one of a swathe of luxury retailers established on prestigious Edward Street.

Mitchell believes the quality and range of upmarket retailers on Edward Street is on par with those available in Sydney, Melbourne and overseas.

“The Edward Street retail precinct has everything shoppers could want,” he says.

“There is no need to travel for high-end fashion – we’ve got it on our doorstep.”

New program tackles graffiti risk Small business owners can access the new Graffiti Small Business Assist program for support with graffiti prevention and removal.The program is a joint initiative between Council and the Queensland Government to assist business owners with knowledge and practical tips to reduce graffiti risk and deal with its impacts.

Small business owners can request a free toolkit which includes a 12-page booklet detailing strategies to reduce the risk of graffiti, tips on removing existing markings and a graffiti removal kit.

Interested business owners can also view the instructional graffiti removal video on Council’s website or YouTube channel.

Information about the Graffiti Small Business Assist program is available in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Arabic on Council’s website.

Anyone who witnesses acts of graffiti should report the offence to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For more information and to order a toolkit, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 133 BNE (133 263).

Events

9 February: QUT Business Leaders’ Forum 12 noon-2pm, The Grand Ballroom, Hilton Hotel, $160 per person or $1500 per table of 10, for tickets call 3138 2532

10 February: 7 steps to business success – FREE Webinar for those thinking about starting a business, register at www.business.qld.gov.au/events

24 Feb 2015: Business planning – FREE Learn how to develop a business plan webinar, register at www.business.qld.gov.au/events

28 February: Brisbane Unconvention Entrepreneur event, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, www.the-entourage.com.au

4 March: Lord Mayor’s Business Excellence Workshop – FREE Business workshop, 1.40-5.40pm, Newnham Hotel, Upper Mount Gravatt, email economic_development@brisbane.qld.gov.au

Open Data access fordigital entrepreneurs

Council is calling on the local digital community to identify and request key datasets as part of its Open Data initiative.

For information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 133 BNE (133 263).

Council is continually working on plans and strategies to support

innovation and economic growth. Your feedback is highly valued.

Contact Council’s Business Hotline 133 BNE (133 263),

email economic_development @brisbane.qld.gov.au or visit

www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Brisbane City CouncilGPO Box 1434Brisbane Qld 4001

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CA14-528023-06-675© Brisbane City Council 2014

Every effort is made to ensure that information is correct at time of printing