Greater Shepparton City Council, Media Release, 8 July 2025
Greater Shepparton City Council, supported by the Greater Shepparton Business Network (GSBN), officially launched the 2025 Greater Shepparton Business Festival on Monday 7 July at the Aussie Hotel in Shepparton.
The fully booked event drew a diverse crowd of business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals from across the region, all eager to preview this year’s program. The festival, running from Monday 4 to Thursday 21 August 2025, features 13 free workshops designed to help local businesses learn, connect and grow.
Greater Shepparton Business Network Chair, Stephen Schneider, opened the event by welcoming all attendees and encouraged small business owners to engage with the festival as it will provide great advice and tips on growing their business.
Over three jam-packed weeks, the festival features a keynote from Darren Flanagan, sharing his remarkable story of courage, teamwork and leadership from the Beaconsfield mine rescue. Other sessions include hands-on workshops in team building, digital advertising, business start-up support for newcomers to Australia, creative design, branding, marketing with AI, financial management, and practical strategies for securing tenders and grants, just to name a few.
Designed to help local businesses learn, connect and grow, the festival will empower business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals with practical tools, expert insights and valuable networking opportunities.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the festival is a valuable opportunity for businesses in our community to build new skills and connections.
“Council is proud to deliver this festival with the support from the Greater Shepparton Business Network and partners. The festival aims to bring together business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals and anyone keen to learn new ideas or expand their network,” he said.
“We know that running a small business can be demanding, so this year’s program offers a range of session times, including mornings and evenings, to make it easier for everyone to attend. Our aim is to give local businesses the flexibility they need to access workshops and training at times that suit their schedules.
“We want Greater Shepparton businesses to thrive by supporting each other, embracing innovation and building resilience to adapt to new challenges. This program is about making the journey a little easier and helping our local business community and region continue to grow.”
Stephen Schneider, President of the Greater Shepparton Business Network (GSBN), said the festival is a valuable opportunity to build relationships and strengthen connections across the business community.
“We are proud to partner with Council in delivering a festival that stimulates business owners to explore new ideas, reflecting the needs and ambitions of our business community. Each year, we listen to feedback from local businesses to ensure the program is relevant and suits their needs,” he said.
“One of the greatest strengths of the festival is the chance for people to come together, share experiences and gain insight into the latest strategies of building a business in a supportive environment. These B2B interactions often lead to long-lasting relationships and create opportunities for growth.”
The first event in the festival program is set for Monday 4 August from 5.30pm to 7.00pm at the Carrington in Shepparton and will feature Darren Flanagan, renowned for his role in the Beaconsfield mine rescue. Darren will share his powerful story of teamwork, resilience and leadership under pressure, offering valuable insights for business owners, teams and anyone seeking inspiration.
The full 2025 Greater Shepparton Business Festival program is out now. Places are limited for all sessions, so be quick to secure your spot. For more information and bookings, visit https://shepp.city/gsbf.
For further information, please contact Council’s Economic Development Engagement Coordinator, Karen Mellington on 5832 9700 or email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
