Experts discuss way of the future at inaugural Bondi Innovation Forum

7 May 2021

Australia’s brightest minds will converge on Bondi Beach on Thursday 27 May for the inaugural Bondi Innovation Forum held by Waverley Council in partnership with Bondi & Districts Chamber of Commerce and the Bondi Innovation Alliance.

The free virtual live event being broadcast online from Bondi Icebergs is one of Council’s key innovation projects initiated by Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos for small to medium-sized businesses, innovators and visionaries.

Mayor Masselos said the online forum brings together a range of entrepreneurs to share their experience and inspire others with their own journey through creativity and innovation.

“We want to support our thriving local entrepreneurs and innovators to continue positioning Bondi and Sydney’s eastern suburbs as a world-class region of innovation and we hope this is the first of many forums that nurture creativity and inspire innovation,” Mayor Masselos said.

The full-day program includes 10–20-minute presentations from 15 experts and innovators across of range of industries and organisations both large and small.

“What innovators in Waverley have demonstrated is that innovation extends beyond science, technology or research, encouraging how things can be done differently, and implementing new creative solutions to a range of current and future challenges,” Mayor Masselos said.

“We also have a growing group of specialised, knowledge-intensive independent contractors and small to medium-sized businesses who we want to learn from and support to thrive.

“Innovation is at the heart of much of what we do at Council and we are implementing several projects to position Waverley as an innovation hub of the future including our heritage transformation of the Boot Factory building at Bondi Junction into a civic innovation hub.

“Our inaugural innovation forum will help our best thinkers and entrepreneurs share information, insights and learnings.”

Emmanuel Constantinou, President, Bondi & Districts Chamber of Commerce, said the forum is an exciting opportunity for local businesses to be at the forefront of technology-led thinking.

“The Bondi & Districts Chamber of Commerce is an avid supporter of innovative businesses. We are passionate about supporting business to create solutions and tap into technology-led thinking in order to become the businesses of the future,” Mr Constantinou said.

Ross Dawson, founder, Bondi Innovation Alliance, said the forum is aligned with its vision of helping Bondi region develop into a globally-recognised centre for inspiring innovators and innovation.

“We believe deeply in the massive potential of Bondi region to blossom into a truly world-class innovation centre. Bondi Innovation Forum is a valuable step on that journey,” Mr Dawson said.

To register for the free online event, visit www.innovationbondi.com.au

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For all media inquiries including interview requests with Mayor Masselos and speakers, contact media@waverley.nsw.gov.au or 0416 075 532.