February e‑news

President’s Message

Welcome to our February e‑news. 

With the year now well underway, there is strong momentum across our local business community, matched by significant developments at a state level that will shape Tasmania’s economic direction in the months ahead.

Our Women in Business Summit has been a standout moment, bringing together 160 attendees for a day defined by optimism, ambition and generosity. With powerful contributions from Anneke van den Broek, Simone de Haas and Robyn Moore AM, and insightful panel discussions with members and local leaders, the Summit highlighted the depth of leadership across the North‑West and the value our community places on connection, capability and confidence. The strong backing from partners and supporters reflects a shared commitment to building a more modern, ambitious and outward‑looking Chamber – one that delivers meaningful impact for members and the wider region. 

We continue to see confidence in the local economy. Our recent media release highlighting new CBD development opportunities reinforces what many of you are experiencing firsthand, investment interest in Devonport remains strong, and our city’s reputation as a hub for growth and innovation continues to build. This sits alongside broader statewide conversations. The recent State of the State report underscored both the challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly the need for strong regional economies, better planning coordination, and an economic environment that supports rather than slows down private sector activity.

February also saw our first Executive meeting for 2026, and Monthly Business and Brew with TT-Line CEO, Chris Carbone. As an Executive we will continue to where refine the priorities set late last year and ensure our advocacy, events and partnerships remain sharply focused on what matters most to you. 

Looking ahead, we have more great speakers lined up for our Monthly Business and Brew meetings and please save the date – 27 May – for our Business Conference. Planning is underway, and we look forward to sharing more details soon. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to seeing many of you soon as we continue building a thriving, confident Devonport business community.

Welcome to our Newest Members

Welcome to our latest members! We are thrilled to have a diverse range of members from various sectors joining our growing network. With over 170 businesses and individuals represented, we aim to ensure our ideas and opinions are well-informed and truly reflective of the business community.

Upcoming Events

Business & Brew | 18 March 

Devonport City Council LIVING City Master Plan

This month’s Business & Brew is one you won’t want to miss.

Matt will provide an overview of development initiatives Council is facilitating across the City, including the recently released plans for the Formby Road precinct in the heart of the Devonport CBD.
With a number of projects already well advanced, and other major new investments commencing in the coming months, Council is continuing to facilitate investment opportunities within our City and maintain the positive momentum generated by the LIVING CITY Master Plan.
Kickstart your day with a cuppa (& a muffin), connection, and conversation at Business & Brew – DCCI’s monthly morning meet-up designed to keep you informed, connected, and inspired.

RSVP: Registrations close 12.00pm, Monday, 16 March 2026.
Enquiries to Yvonne, 0409 415 981

Register Now

2026 SEAROAD DEVONPORT MOTOR SHOW

20th & Final Show Celebrations

Join the Rotary Club of Devonport North for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration as the SeaRoad Devonport Motor Show marks its 20th and final year.

Over the years, the Show has also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local, national and international causes, proving what community and generosity can achieve together.

This milestone event will feature a special Best of the Best line-up, bringing back trophy winners from the past two decades for one unforgettable display. Judges will crown champions in car, ute, hot rod and bike categories, making this year’s Show one not to miss.

Construction at Stony Rise Village is due to (finally!) start in early March, and we’re inviting you to join us for a project update as we work towards opening in mid 2027.
On the night, we’ll cover:
Construction timing
Leasing progress
Traffic and parking
Design updates
Jobs
Most importantly, this is your chance to ask questions, share feedback and hear directly from the project team.
This will be your local centre, and your voice matters.
As a thank you for attending, a donation of $10 per person (for the first 50 attendees) will be given to Loaves & Fishes Tasmania, supporting emergency food relief across the state.
Plus: attend on the night for your chance to win one of five $100 Woolworths Gift Cards.
Free event — RSVP required so we can plan ahead.

RSVP

Save the Date – Upcoming Events

Add these events to your calendar now to ensure you don’t miss out!

Other News

Tasmanian Small Business Expo 2026

Devonport & North West Tasmania
Monday 16 March, 2026

The Tasmanian Small Business Expo is designed to give small business owners, entrepreneurs and supporters what they need most: practical insights, meaningful connections and access to resources that make running a business easier – and The van Diemen Project is excited to bring this event to Devonport & the North West Coast for the first time.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll find opportunities to learn from experienced voices, meet exhibitors who can help you solve real challenges and connect with others who share your passion for building something great. Whether you’re looking for strategies to grow, tools to streamline your operations or inspiration to take the next step, this event is built to deliver value you can use immediately.

Attend one of two sessions

Lunchtime session (12 PM – 2 PM): Perfect for those who want to learn and network during the day.
Evening session (5 PM – 7 PM): Ideal for after-work conversations and exploring new ideas.

This event is free to attend.

Don’t miss out! Register now

Women & Leadership Australia Scholarships

Boost Your Career with an Industry Scholarship

Women & Leadership Australia is offering partial scholarships valued between $700 and $3,000 to support women to participate in high-quality leadership development programs. These flexible, part-time programs are designed to fit around work and life, combining practical workplace skills with contemporary leadership theory. Participants can choose from four programs aligned to different career stages, from emerging leaders through to senior executives.

Proven results from past participants include:

• 9 in 10 graduates reporting increased confidence to step into senior leadership roles
• Over 90% strengthening their ability to lead change at work
• Nearly 8 in 10 improving feedback and conflict management skills
• 80% experiencing positive career progression 

Applications close Friday 10th April 2026, unless allocated earlier

Learn more and apply

Business Tasmania

Business Tasmania is partnering with Digital Solutions, as part of their Digital Support Program being delivered in 2026, to bring you four online events throughout March. Each session is designed to help you strengthen your digital capability and learn how to make the most of AI in your business.

The online event series includes:

How to Save Time with Everyday Tasks in Your Business with AI, Business Writing with AI, and Understand Your Customer: Market Research & Competitor Analysis.

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere right now — but what does it actually mean for the day‑to‑day running of a small business? AI has the potential to save you time and money, but only if you understand how to use it effectively.

Join these free workshops to learn from leaders in the digital space and hear from businesses that have successfully integrated AI into their operations. These sessions are designed to cut through the noise and confusion around AI, giving you practical tools, resources and next steps you can implement straight away.

Business Writing with AI

Wednesday, 18 March 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
eventcalendar.business.tas.gov.au/event/34631493-a/business-writing-with-ai

Understand Your Customer: Market Research & Competitor Analysis

Monday, 30 March 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
eventcalendar.business.tas.gov.au/event/34631492-a/understand-your-customer-market-research-competitor-analysis

From TCCI

WR Lunchtime Lowdown Series
30-min bite-sized lunchtime sessions, Abbey, TCCI Senior Workplace Relations Consultant, will walk you through what your rights and responsibilities.

Managing Challenging Employees – Thursday 26 March