SPEAKERS with first-hand insight on surviving and thriving in tough times will be among the highlights of the second Tamworth Regional Business Summit.
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The Unbreakable Farmer Warren Davies, and former Queensland premier Anna Bligh AC, have been announced in the line-up for what will be a three-day event in 2020.
The focus of the summit, from March 17 to 19, will be building business resilience in uncertain economic times - something Mr Davies said was all too familiar.
After buying his first farm in country Victoria at the age of 22, he dealt with high interest rates, low commodity prices, flood and drought for the next several years.
"I understand the effect it has on your business and obviously on your mental health," Mr Davies said.
"Like the drought that we faced, most of Australia is facing at the moment; it's ongoing and adds that air of uncertainty to when will it end - and what's going to happen if it doesn't end?"
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Mr Davies said he advocated three strategies for being unbreakable: communication, connection and seeking help.
He said all three could be found at an event such as the business summit.
"There's power in the community," he said.
"If we communicate with each other and tap into that shared wisdom, we can come up with different solutions to shared problems."
'Real solutions for real people'
Tamworth Business Chamber will host the summit, presented by Joblink Plus.
Chamber president Jye Segboer said the unprecedented conditions and an uncertain future had changed how local businesses must operate and plan.
"Our aim for the 2020 summit is to deliver real solutions to real problems for real people," he said.
"All speakers and presenters are in a unique position to educate attendees on how to move forward in a drought economy, identify unique growth opportunities and build resilience during this time."
The event will include a local government panel, with representatives from Mudgee, Albury, Bathurst and Tamworth councils, focusing on growing regional economies.
Business owners, operators, staff and start-ups are welcome to attend the summit.
Joblink Plus chief executive Christine Shewry said it would be "a formidable way to kickstart what could be an uncertain year in business".
"The high calibre of speakers ... across such a range of highly relevant topics will provide insight into current policy, challenges and business practices," she said.
- Ticket options are an all-access gold pass for $250 or a single day pass for $175. Morning tea, lunch and a summit pack are included.
- Tickets are available now from the summit website or by calling Tamworth Business Chamber on 6766 4810.