Ross Vasta (Bonner, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Small Business Expo has had a great run on the Gold Coast and in Logan over the last six years. Now, for the first time, the expo will be coming to Brisbane on Friday, 4 May, and I'm thrilled to say that the organisers have chosen the Hibiscus Sports Complex at Upper Mount Gravatt as its venue. I asked the organiser, Paula Brand, to bring the expo to Upper Mount Gravatt and I'm thrilled that she's agreed. The expo is a great opportunity for small businesses in the area, particularly those that don't have a storefront, to book a trade table where they can showcase their products and services. There will be over 200 trade tables on the day featuring businesses from across the region. Registrations for trade tables are open now and I invite Brisbane businesses to contact my office for further information. Over 600 small business owners are expected to attend the expo. It's a great networking opportunity and attendees will also be able to learn the latest business tips and industry insights to help boost their business. There are five speaker presentations from some of Australia's leading business experts, including local success story Phillip Di Bella, from Di Bella Coffee, and Glen Richards from Network Ten's popular Shark Tank show. I've secured a very special guest to open the Small Business Expo: the Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation, the Hon. Craig Laundy. I thank him for his support and I can't wait to see everyone at the expo in May.