The first edition of Bendigo Business Unboxed has now come to a close, and what an inspiring three-week celebration it was for our business community. From 3rd – 20th November the city came alive with workshops, masterclasses, tours and networking events hosted across Greater Bendigo.
Our aim with Business Unboxed was to bring local businesses together to learn, connect and grow – to open up new possibilities, elevate capability and spark collaboration. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or early-stage entrepreneur, this festival was created to meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go.
Festival Highlights
Over three weeks, we covered a broad range of topics and experiences:
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Week 1 kicked off with events like the “Small Business Bus” dropping into the Bendigo Mall, the Be.Bendigo Open Office and practical workshops such as “The Confidence Blueprint: Navigating Self-Doubt & Imposter Syndrome” and “60 Minutes to Make AI Your Unfair Advantage”.
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Week 2 included sessions like “The Canva Shortcut: Canva Made Simple for Busy Business Owners”, “Winning Contracts: A Strategic Workshop for Bids, Tenders & Proposals”, “Money Matters: Unlocking Capital for Business Expansion” in partnership with Bendigo Bank and “Marketing Minds – Fresh Insights, Real Strategies”.
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Week 3 featured “How to Define Your Ideal Client Profile & Find More of Them”, “The Hidden Cost of Sleep Loss” (highlighting wellbeing in business), “AI Confidential – Maxsum Consulting” and “Making sure you don’t need a lawyer: A Small Business Guide to Avoiding Legal Problems”.
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The grand finale featured keynote speaker Mark Bouris AM, who shared his decades of business experience, leadership insights and growth strategies with our local community.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
A huge thank-you to our program sponsors whose support made this first edition possible:
Their commitment to our business community means we can deliver high-quality experiences, broaden access and keep the cost-barriers low. Thank you for believing in our region’s potential!
Help Shape Future Events
We’re already thinking about how to make the next edition even better, and your feedback is vital.
If you attended any of the sessions or hosted one, please take a few minutes to share your thoughts. Your voice helps shape the future of Business Unboxed and ensures we deliver what you really need.
We look forward to building on this momentum with you in 2026.
