As well as flying the Victorian flag as the next host city, VCCI is also competing as a WCC finalist in the Best Gender Equity Project category for our Chamber Change program. We are up against some formidable competition from cities in Georgia, Italy and Turkey, and I hope to share some good news with you about this later in the week.

To have the VCCI Chamber Change program shortlisted in this global competition is a testament to our team’s dedication and vision, and our Chief of Staff, Chanelle Pearson, will do an excellent job of presenting this incredible program to the judging panel.

It’s certainly an opportunistic time to be promoting Melbourne on the other side of the world, as Victoria’s capital has clawed back up in the rankings of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index 2023. From “the world’s most locked down city” to the bronze medal on a Global scale just behind Vienna and Copenhagen, and ahead of Sydney in fourth place. This is a day of pride for Melbourne and the wider Victorian community, as it demonstrates our community’s great resilience and ability to bounce back.

But we know there is still work to be done. Especially around the costs of living and running a business. At VCCI we are here to advocate every day to improve those conditions. And I anticipate it is only a matter of time before we reclaim that mantle as the world’s most liveable city.

The Victorian Chamber continues our mission to drive growth and recovery for our members. Our latest Business Voice survey is now open, and I encourage all members to participate. We want to aggregate the opportunities and challenges you are facing in this current economic climate, with a focus on career development. The survey takes two minutes to complete, and you have the chance to win a digital Mastercard valued at $250.

As we near the end of the 2022-23 financial year, I encourage you to consider investing in the development of your workforce. As we all know, a skilled workforce is essential for sustainable growth and long-term success, and the Victorian Chamber remains committed to offering high-quality training and professional development programs to help businesses upskill their employees.

Our expanded training portfolio includes a wide range of courses, from leadership and management to digital literacy and innovation. By investing in our workforce, we empower businesses to adapt to evolving market demands and unlock their full potential. We are currently offering 10 per cent off training programs booked before 30 Junes 2023 using the code EOFY10.

Finally, I am proud to announce that the Victorian Chamber is an Industry Supporter of the Australia-Africa Business Summit 2023, being held 10-12 October in Melbourne. The summit aims to encourage both African and Australian communities to explore new opportunities and maximise existing ones between regions, while growing connections and establishing new relationships between regions.

With Victoria being home to the largest African population outside of Africa, there’s no better Australian city to host this important event. Find more details here.

Have a wonderful week everyone.