March 2023

Welcome to our first newsletter of the year 2023. It’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through March.

What a great start to the year we have had. The town and the region are bustling with tourists, which is excellent news for the economy and businesses in the area. Our Living City has come alive with the recent opening of the waterfront park. The TSO performed to packed crowds,  we enjoyed the recent Regatta on the Mersey River and look forward to the Devonport Car Show on the 26th March.

On the home front, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new administration officer, Cate Dempsey, who has joined our team. Cate brings a wealth of expertise in IT and client relationship management, and she has already hit the ground running. She is making great strides in sorting out our administrative tasks and organising our breakfast and executive meetings.

Our first two breakfast meetings have been successful, and we have some exciting presenters lined up for future events.

Our next breakfast meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 8th, at the Paranaple Centre, where we will celebrate International Women’s Day. Our guest speaker will be none other than our Mayor, Alison Jarman.

We will also be running a Member’s night soon to gather feedback on what our members would like to see moving forward. This will be an opportunity to hear about what we have planned.

Finally, we extend a warm welcome to our newest DCCI Members: Devonport Chiropractic Centre and Zest Cafe & Bakehouse.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event.

Kind regards

Dave Race
President
Devonport Chamber of Commerce & Industry

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New Website Coming Soon

We’re excited to announce a new website for the DCCI that will offer an enhanced user experience. The revamped site will feature a contemporary design, intuitive navigation, and clear messaging, ensuring our visitors have a more satisfying visit. Additionally, our new member area will utilise a categorised system, making it effortless for visitors to locate businesses. We’ll also highlight the advantages of joining as a member and streamline the process for new businesses. Keep an eye out because it will be a game-changer.

Retail Survey in Devonport

In March, the Retail Committee Executive, John Alexiou, and the Mayor of Devonport, Alison Jarman, will be conducting a short survey of retailers in Devonport’s shopping districts. The aim is to collect feedback from retailers on how the Devonport City Council and the Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) can support them better.

By gathering feedback, the Devonport City Council and the DCCI can identify the needs and concerns of retailers and provide targeted support to address them. This support can include assistance with marketing, promotions, and access to training programs, among other things. The initiative is a positive step towards improving the retail industry in the area and creating a more supportive and thriving business environment.

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EVENTS

Past Events

We’ve had an eventful start to 2023 with two of our breakfast events and a board meeting filled with a wealth of information, covering a broad range of topics and issues.

8th February 2023

Our guest speaker, Professor Jim Cavaye, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Tasmania’s Cradle Coast campus, discussed the new campus situated in West Park, Burnie. The campus introduces a broad range of learning,  research, and industry projects focused on supporting technology, manufacturing, design, innovation, and food production in the North-West region. This new campus will enable students to study closer to their homes, offer new courses, and provide unique learning experiences. See UTAS Cradle Coast for more information.

22nd February 2023

James Foster, the Senior Vice President of the DCCI, regaled members and guests with a plethora of captivating anecdotes about his experiences in the music industry and life on tour. As the co-director of Circa 41, James is a renowned figure in the music events industry, serving as a sound engineer, production manager, and tour manager.

Over the course of his illustrious career, James has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including PNAU, Empire of the Sun, Pete Murray, David Bowie Band, Thirsty Merc, Sumner, and Medhanit. He has also overseen numerous special events, such as the ARIA Awards, FireFight Australia Bushfire Concert, AFL and NRL Grand Finals, Qantas National Tourism Awards, Taste of Tasmania, Party in the Paddock, and Forth Pub 150 birthday celebrations.

In addition to his impressive professional accomplishments, James and his wife Eve are the proprietors of Frankie J’s in Market Square, Devonport, a popular destination for authentic Italian-style pizza or a lively night out.

February DCCI Board Meeting

During our monthly Board Meeting, we had the privilege of hosting Kelly Brown, the Manager of Business Tasmania. Kelly imparted her valuable knowledge regarding the assistance and resources that Business Tasmania provides to the business community, such as tips for accessing business advice, digital coaching, and funding programs.

We’re excited to announce that Kelly will be joining us again as a special guest speaker at our upcoming Breakfast event on March 22nd. If you’re a business owner looking to enhance your existing business or starting a new venture, this event is a must-attend. To learn more about this event or to reserve your spot, please visit Breakfast with Kelly Brown.

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Upcoming Events

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