Highlights
- Deakin Business School is the primary sponsor for the biannual SBAA International Small Business Summit 2023, to be held on 21 and 22 September 2023 at Deakin Downtown Tower 2, Level 12, 727 Collins Street, , Melbourne, VIC 3008.
- Professor Amanda Pyman, Dean Deakin Business School, will open the Summit,
setting the stage for a promising and impactful event. - Internationally acclaimed experts, including Prof Gjoko Muratovski, George Tanewski and Dr Andrea North-Samardzic from the Women’s Entrepreneurship Research Alliance (WERA), will present cutting-edge research and insights on various aspects of the SME sector.
MELBOURNE, 7 August 2023 – The Small Business Association of Australia is thrilled to announce Deakin Business School as the primary sponsor for the biannual SBAA International Small Business Summit 2023, to be held on 21 and 22 September 2023 at Deakin Downtown, , Melbourne.
Professor Amanda Pyman, Dean Deakin Business School, will open the Summit.
Mrs Anne Nalder, CEO and Founder of SBAA, expressed her sincere gratitude to Professor Pyman for opening the Summit.
“Professor Pyman’s insightful comments will undoubtedly set the stage for a promising and impactful event,” she said.
“With enthusiasm, I anticipate an engaging and productive summit ahead, where we can foster collaboration and drive positive change together.”
Mrs Nalder continued, “I am excited that Deakin Business School, a world leader and leading MSME/Small Business researcher, is proud to partner with the SBAA in this year’s Summit.
“Deakin will play a pivotal role in fostering direct collaboration between thought leaders, industry, policymakers, and grass-roots business owners during this year’s Summit.”
The Summit will feature internationally acclaimed experts presenting cutting-edge research and insights on various aspects of the SME sector. Among the distinguished speakers are:
- Prof Gjoko Muratovski, Director, Digital Futures and Industry Professor, Deakin Research Innovations, will address the “Role of SMEs in the Australian Digital Economy”.
- George Tanewski, Director, IPA-Deakin Small Business Research Centre, will address issues in relation to government and SME policymaking.
- Dr Andrea North-Samardzic, Director of Women’s Entrepreneurship Research Alliance (WERA), will present her views on ways to nurture entrepreneurship.
Dr Gjoko Muratovski said, “There are more than 2.5 million businesses in Australia, and 98% are SMEs. Australia won’t be able to become a leading digital economy unless we put in place a digital transformation strategy for SMEs. This needs to be a distinct strategy as what currently works for the 2% of the Australian economy will not work for the rest.”
Deakin Business School Dean Professor Amanda Pyman, said, “Deakin Business School is proud to support the International Small Business Summit 2023 and be a catalyst for positive change in the sector.
“We are committed to ongoing collaboration with the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector to help better understand the challenges and opportunities facing SMEs in Australia and overseas.
“Our work with SMEs supports them to navigate a world of accelerating change. This work runs across leading education and research programs, which collaborate closely with industry to take ideas to impact. Through innovation and excellence in education and research, we generate ideas that enhance social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing.
“The International Small Business Summit 2023 is an important initiative of the Small Business Association of Australia to connect thought-leaders, industry, government, and grassroots business owners.”
Dr Wade Halvorson, the Theme Director for SMEs & Entrepreneurship at Deakin University Business School, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the SBAA.
“I’m excited to be working with the SBAA on their International Small Business Summit this year, at which we will introduce some of the world’s preeminent thought-leaders on small business policy and research,” Dr Halvorson said.
“We have several research initiatives focusing on SMEs and Entrepreneurship at Deakin Business School, including the IPA-Deakin SME Research Centre, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Research Alliance (Unit) and the Business Development Clinic.”
The IPA-Deakin SME Research Centre uses diverse experts to broadly examine issues related to regulation, trade and sustainability of SME firms.
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Research Alliance (Unit) focuses on exploring the social and cultural factors that influence entrepreneurial behaviour and success among women. The unit collaborates with not-for-profit, philanthropic, government and industry partners to trial and evaluate entrepreneurship training and development programs aimed at increasing the number of female entrepreneurs and enhancing their business growth.
At the Business Development Clinic, students collaborate in consultancy teams with small and medium-sized Australian businesses to assist them in boosting their revenue and profitability. They utilise a proprietary Business Framework as part of their approach.
Dr Wade Halvorson said, “All three groups will be presenting their latest work at the SBAA International Small Business Summit sponsored and hosted by Deakin Business School on 21 and 22 September.”
About Deakin Business School
Deakin Business School is a leading institution for research and education in business, known for its commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in the SME sector. Through its various research units and partnerships, Deakin Business School continues to make significant contributions to the growth and success of small and medium-sized enterprises in Australia.
About SBAA
The Small Business Association of Australia (SBAA) is dedicated to supporting the interests of small and medium-sized businesses in Australia. SBAA provides advocacy, resources, and networking opportunities to help SMEs thrive and contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of the nation. The SBAA International Small Business Summit is a biannual event that brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to address the challenges and opportunities facing the SME sector.
To find out more about SBAA International Small Business Summit 2023, please go to: https://smallbusinessassociation.com.au/sbaa-international-small-business-summit- 2023/
Media enquiry or for more information please contact:
Belinda Wilson | SBAA | 0411 855 747| belinda@smallbusinessassociation.com.au
Liz Nguyen| Deakin Business School | l.nguyen@deakin.edu.au
