CCBR Business Review

11 WITH THE PAST two years being extreme- ly tough for businesses on the Central Coast, manufacturers and agri-businesses are no exception. Local businesses have had to adapt their strategies and operations to deal with supply chain breakdowns, skills shortages, rising costs and other challenges stemming from catastrophic bushfires, floods and COVID-19. To support local businesses to rebound from these significant challenges and help the local industry build resilience against future disruptions, Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC) will host the inaugural Central Coast Industry Festival and Expo. Jointly funded by the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments under their Disaster Recovery funding arrange- ments, this major event will be the first of its kind for the region. The festival is an initiative of manu- facturers’ network group, Central Coast Industry Connect The festival is aimed at helping future- proof businesses, raise awareness about the extraordinary innovation capabilities of local businesses in these sectors and generate interest from Sydney-based busi- ness owners to relocate or start a new busi- ness here. Festival organiser Alex Blow said, “By showcasing the diverse range of innovative products made right here on our doorstep, the festival will support the growth of our local manufacturing and agricultural pro- duction sectors, which employ thousands of Central Coast locals and contribute around $3.36 billion a year to our economy.” Many people are unaware that manufac- turing and agriculture are our region’s sec- ond largest employers. Therefore, another key objective of the festival is to highlight the significant employment opportunities available to current and future generations. An entire day will be dedicated to bringing industry, schools and universities together to showcase the variety of interesting career paths on offer within the food, bev- erages, agriculture and advanced manufac- turing sectors. Run over two weeks in August and September, the festival will deliver a com- prehensive program of free events for attendees, including industry and com- NEW PATIENTS Comprehensive checkup & clean Includes up to 5 x-rays No Gap (with health insurance) or $290 OFFERS (all patients) Free orthodontic consultation Free dental implant consultation Free cosmetic makeover consultation FINANCE We bulk bill the Medicare CDBS Zip Pay & Zip Money payment plans We partner with SuperCare General Dentistry | Emergency Care | Cosmetic Dentistry Orthodontics & Invisalign | Sleep Dentistry IV Sedation | Oral Surgery Wisdom Teeth Removal | Dental Implants | 3D CT Scanning 02 4323 1933 | www.vcdental.com.au Suite 10, 36-40 Victoria Street, East Gosford NSW 2250 OPEN 7 DAYS 40 YEARS LOCAL Central Coast Industry Festival to focus on advanced manufacturing and food munity education sessions and a series of capability-building workshops for produc- ers and suppliers. These events will culmi- nate in a three-day Expo that will feature 50 of the Central Coast’s best local food, beverage, agriculture and advanced manu- facturing exhibitors who will showcase their products and services. The Expo will welcome the broader community on day 3, offering consumers the chance to sample locally produced food and beverages and open their eyes to the volume and qual- ity of brands manufactured on the Central Coast and the variety of employment opportunities available in these sectors. CCIC Executive Chairman Frank Sammut said, “The Central Coast Industry Festival is an important event for the region. When I look at the future of manufacturing, I see the importance of being able to engage parents and students to educate them on the opportunities manufacturing presents, the level of technology employed and the variety of jobs available. For the sectors involved, the festival will provide the oppor- tunity to learn about each other, cultivate new business opportunities and learn about best practice activities to build busi- ness strength and resilience.” The Central Coast Industry Festival and Expo will be held at Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi from August 22 to September 3 and the Expo will run from Thursday , September 1 to Saturday, September 3 . It will be open to the public on the final day. To learn more about the festival and expo or express interest in being an exhibi- tor, contact Alex Blow at alex@centralcoast- foodalliance.com.au. M A N U FA C T U R I N G N E W S One pf two Robots in operation at Chamberlain Group’s West Gosford factory CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW MAY 2022