12 February 2025
Chamber Link – February 2025
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Welcome to 2025 – A Year of Opportunity for Southland Businesses
Kia ora and welcome to the first Southland Business Chamber new look Chamber Link!
We’re always looking for ways to improve what we do for our members, especially how we communicate our message, so we’ll be rolling out a series of AB tests to gauge your feedback.
Starting with Would you like to receive Chamberlink Monthly or Bimonthly? Click here to let us know.
I hope you all had a chance to recharge over the holidays and are ready to dive into what promises to be an exciting year for Southland business.
We’re kicking off the year with our first major event: Bunnings BA5 on March 20th!
Did you know you don’t have to be a tradie to shop there? It’s true!
Get your boss to sign your workplace up for a Bunnings PowerPass and all your staff can enjoy great discounts as Chamber members. It’s an excellent way to save on your DIY products & more.
2025 is also a local body election year, and the Chamber is gearing up for a big role in helping shape Southland’s future.
In August, we’ll be hosting three Mayoral Debates for the Invercargill, Gore, and Southland Mayoral candidates.
These debates will be crucial for understanding where each candidate stands on key issues impacting our region. Stay tuned for details on how you can attend and engage with the candidates.
On the economic front, forecasts for 2025 are cautiously optimistic. While global economic conditions remain uncertain, Southland is poised for growth.
Our region’s diverse industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and energy, position us well to weather challenges and embrace new opportunities. Despite global pressures, Southland’s resilience and adaptability will be key in driving positive business outcomes in the year ahead.
We welcomed the news of a new Minister for the South Island, James Meager. As part of our advocacy, we will be sure he is aware of the significant contribution the Southland Region makes to the New Zealand economy.
This year is a biggie for our team: The Southland Business Excellence Awards are back!
This is your chance to celebrate excellence in Southland businesses, and we want to hear from you. We’ll soon be announcing the categories, so start thinking about how your business stands out!
Mark your calendars – the awards will take place on Friday 19th September, and you won’t want to miss it.
If you’re interested in sponsoring a category, we have a limited number of sponsorship opportunities still available. Reach out to adam@southlandchamber.co.nz to learn more.
So, whether it’s attending our BA5’s, NetWalking, upskilling with our training options, engaging with the upcoming Mayoral Debates, or preparing for the Business Excellence Awards, there are plenty of exciting things happening this year. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember!
I look forward to seeing you at our events and working together to keep Southland thriving.
Kia pai tō rā | Have a great day
Ngā mihi nui,
Sheree Carey
Chief Executive, Southland Business Chamber
