Choose your tickets
9.00am - 11.00am
9.00am - 11.15am - Panel - Farmers Forum - at Council Chambers ticket
It's more than dry, it's a drought. This forum is a chance to connect, share experiences, and hear from local producers and experts on how to manage the pressures facing agriculture today. Hosted by Healthy Loddon Campaspe.
It's more than dry, it's a drought. This forum is a chance to connect, share experiences, and hear from local producers and experts on how to manage the pressures facing agriculture today. Hosted by Healthy Loddon Campaspe.
Free9.00am - 11.00am - Workshop - Generating Cashflow for Creative Businesses - at Shedshaker, The Mill ticket
Cash flow can be unpredictable in creative industries - but it doesn’t have to be. This practical two-hour session is tailored for small creative businesses, offering strategies to manage income cycles, price your work effectively, and build financial stability. Hosted by Creative Victoria.
Cash flow can be unpredictable in creative industries - but it doesn’t have to be. This practical two-hour session is tailored for small creative businesses, offering strategies to manage income cycles, price your work effectively, and build financial stability. Hosted by Creative Victoria.
Free9.30am - 11.30am - Tour - Tourism Update for Accommodation Providers and Walking Tour - at Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre ticket
Get an industry update tailored for accommodation providers. Tour local stays and the Visitor Information Centre (VIC), and hear from tourism professionals and operators about emerging trends, visitor expectations, and opportunities in our region.
Get an industry update tailored for accommodation providers. Tour local stays and the Visitor Information Centre (VIC), and hear from tourism professionals and operators about emerging trends, visitor expectations, and opportunities in our region.
Free9.15am - 12.15pm - Workshop - Circular Economy Business Leadership - at Castlemaine Community House Classroom 2 ticket
Discover how small businesses in our region are embracing circular economy principles to reduce waste and create new value. This session highlights practical actions and local success stories to inspire more sustainable, future-focused business leadership. Hosted by Sustainability Victoria and Central Victorian Councils.
Discover how small businesses in our region are embracing circular economy principles to reduce waste and create new value. This session highlights practical actions and local success stories to inspire more sustainable, future-focused business leadership. Hosted by Sustainability Victoria and Central Victorian Councils.
Free9.45am - 11.15am - Tour - Workspace Australia Walking Tour - at Etty St ticket
Take a guided walk through the Etty Street campus of Workspace Australia and discover how this local business incubator supports start-ups and small enterprises. Visit on-site businesses and explore the spaces, services, and support helping local ventures grow. Hosted by Workspace Australia.
Take a guided walk through the Etty Street campus of Workspace Australia and discover how this local business incubator supports start-ups and small enterprises. Visit on-site businesses and explore the spaces, services, and support helping local ventures grow. Hosted by Workspace Australia.
Free10.00am - 11.30am - Small Group Mentoring: Marketing Strategy - at Castlemaine Senior Citizen's Centre ticket
A group mentoring session to help you define your ideal customers, focus your efforts, and build a clear, cost-effective marketing plan. Walk away with a simple roadmap to attract and retain the right audience for your business. Hosted by Small Business Mentoring Service.
A group mentoring session to help you define your ideal customers, focus your efforts, and build a clear, cost-effective marketing plan. Walk away with a simple roadmap to attract and retain the right audience for your business. Hosted by Small Business Mentoring Service.
Free
11.00am - 1.00pm
11.00am - 12.30pm - Panel and Tour - Creative Business in Practice - at Shedshaker, The Mill ticket
Join Creative Victoria and local creatives for a panel on the key elements of running a successful creative enterprise - from funding models to audience development. Then take a guided tour of visual arts businesses at The Mill to see these ideas in action. Hosted by Creative Victoria.
Join Creative Victoria and local creatives for a panel on the key elements of running a successful creative enterprise - from funding models to audience development. Then take a guided tour of visual arts businesses at The Mill to see these ideas in action. Hosted by Creative Victoria.
Free11.30am - 12.15pm - Panel - Business Outlook: Expert Insights - at Phee Broadway Theatre ticket
What’s shaping the future for local businesses? This session brings together experts and leaders to unpack current trends in skills, demographics, workforce demand and climate outlook — and explore what it all means for micro and small businesses in our region. With the Victorian Small Business Commissioner and The Hon Maree Edwards MP.
What’s shaping the future for local businesses? This session brings together experts and leaders to unpack current trends in skills, demographics, workforce demand and climate outlook — and explore what it all means for micro and small businesses in our region. With the Victorian Small Business Commissioner and The Hon Maree Edwards MP.
Free
1.00pm - 3.30pm
1.00pm - 2.30pm - Small Group Mentoring: Building a Resilient Business - at Castlemaine Community House Classroom 1 ticket
Learn how to future-proof your business with practical tools for managing risk, strengthening operations, and adapting to change. This session covers scenario planning, diversification, and smart strategies for sustainable growth. Hosted by Small Business Mentoring Service.
Learn how to future-proof your business with practical tools for managing risk, strengthening operations, and adapting to change. This session covers scenario planning, diversification, and smart strategies for sustainable growth. Hosted by Small Business Mentoring Service.
Free1.15pm - 2.15pm - Workshop - Money Matters - at Castlemaine Senior Citizen's Centre ticket
Get expert information on resolving business disputes, understanding tax essentials, and choosing the right insurance and leasing arrangements. This session offers practical tools to help you protect your business and manage financial and business risk.
Get expert information on resolving business disputes, understanding tax essentials, and choosing the right insurance and leasing arrangements. This session offers practical tools to help you protect your business and manage financial and business risk.
Free1.15pm - 2.15pm - Panel - Starting your Business - at Council Chambers ticket
Thinking about starting a business or just taken the first steps? This panel of local experts will share real-world insights, practical advice and inspiration to help you turn your idea into a thriving venture.
Thinking about starting a business or just taken the first steps? This panel of local experts will share real-world insights, practical advice and inspiration to help you turn your idea into a thriving venture.
Free1.15pm - 2.45pm - Workshop - Social Media Marketing - at Phee Broadway Theatre ticket
Cut through the noise and turn your followers into customers. In this practical 90-minute session, learn how to work with the algorithms, plan content without burnout, and choose the right formats to boost engagement and drive sales.
Cut through the noise and turn your followers into customers. In this practical 90-minute session, learn how to work with the algorithms, plan content without burnout, and choose the right formats to boost engagement and drive sales.
Free2.30pm - 3.30pm - Workshop - Work Well: a Wellbeing Toolkit - at Castlemaine Senior Citizen's Centre ticket
A practical session exploring simple tools and tips to support both your staff and business owners — with a focus on health, mental wellbeing, and creating a thriving workplace.
A practical session exploring simple tools and tips to support both your staff and business owners — with a focus on health, mental wellbeing, and creating a thriving workplace.
Free2.30pm - 3.30pm - Panel - Funding Business Growth - at Council Chambers ticket
Need funds to grow your business? This session covers grants, loans, legal tips and funding pathways. Hear from experts on how to access capital, avoid pitfalls and choose the right option for your micro and small businesses.
Need funds to grow your business? This session covers grants, loans, legal tips and funding pathways. Hear from experts on how to access capital, avoid pitfalls and choose the right option for your micro and small businesses.
Free2.45pm - 3.45pm - Game - Climate Resilience The Adaptation Game - at Ray Bradfield Room ticket
Extreme weather events are on the rise - is your business ready? In this interactive session, you'll take part in a cooperative board game designed to explore local climate risks and identify practical ways to build resilience. Learn through play, share insights, and uncover strategies that support both your business and community.
Extreme weather events are on the rise - is your business ready? In this interactive session, you'll take part in a cooperative board game designed to explore local climate risks and identify practical ways to build resilience. Learn through play, share insights, and uncover strategies that support both your business and community.
Free3.00pm - 4.30pm - Workshop - Using AI to Boost Productivity - at Phee Broadway Theatre ticket
AI is transforming the way we work - but are you using it to its full potential? This hands-on session explores how small businesses can boost productivity, streamline tasks, and spark creativity using tools like ChatGPT.
AI is transforming the way we work - but are you using it to its full potential? This hands-on session explores how small businesses can boost productivity, streamline tasks, and spark creativity using tools like ChatGPT.
Free
3.30pm - 7.30pm
3.30pm - 4.30pm - Panel - Planning Your Exit - at Council Chambers ticket
Thinking about stepping back, selling, or passing on your business? This session offers practical guidance on succession planning, business valuation, and how to prepare for a smooth and successful transition — now or in the future.
Thinking about stepping back, selling, or passing on your business? This session offers practical guidance on succession planning, business valuation, and how to prepare for a smooth and successful transition — now or in the future.
Free3.30pm - 4.30pm - Workshop - Business Structure for People & Profit - at Castlemaine Senior Citizen's Centre ticket
This workshop explores how to structure your business for both people and profit. Learn about co-ops, mutuals, not-for-profits, B-Corps and social enterprises - and discover how these models can align your values with your business goals.
This workshop explores how to structure your business for both people and profit. Learn about co-ops, mutuals, not-for-profits, B-Corps and social enterprises - and discover how these models can align your values with your business goals.
Free4.30pm - 7.30pm - Roving Networking - start at Mostyn Street Cellars ticket
Celebrate local business with an evening networking trail. Visit small venues across Castlemaine, meet fellow business owners, and raise a glass to the vibrant micro and small business community in our region. Hosted by Business Mount Alexander.
Celebrate local business with an evening networking trail. Visit small venues across Castlemaine, meet fellow business owners, and raise a glass to the vibrant micro and small business community in our region. Hosted by Business Mount Alexander.
$15.00+ $1.75 fee4.30pm - 7.30pm - Roving Networking - start at Grafting Cellars ticket
Celebrate local business with an evening networking trail. Visit small venues across Castlemaine, meet fellow business owners, and raise a glass to the vibrant micro and small business community in our region. Hosted by Business Mount Alexander.
Celebrate local business with an evening networking trail. Visit small venues across Castlemaine, meet fellow business owners, and raise a glass to the vibrant micro and small business community in our region. Hosted by Business Mount Alexander.
$15.00+ $1.75 fee4.30pm - 7.30pm - Roving Networking - start at Gornellys ticket
Celebrate local business with an evening networking trail. Visit small venues across Castlemaine, meet fellow business owners, and raise a glass to the vibrant micro and small business community in our region. Hosted by Business Mount Alexander.
Celebrate local business with an evening networking trail. Visit small venues across Castlemaine, meet fellow business owners, and raise a glass to the vibrant micro and small business community in our region. Hosted by Business Mount Alexander.
$15.00+ $1.75 fee5.30pm - 6.30pm - Workshop - Managing Business Growth - at Cumberland Hotel ticket
Scaling up can be challenging. This session offers practical strategies to manage demand, staffing, and cash flow - using construction as a key example, but relevant to any growing small business. Hosted by StartUp Central Victoria.
Scaling up can be challenging. This session offers practical strategies to manage demand, staffing, and cash flow - using construction as a key example, but relevant to any growing small business. Hosted by StartUp Central Victoria.
Free