Manufacturing, food production and related service businesses from across the Central Coast, Sydney and the Hunter regions will come together at the 2024 Central Coast Industry Festival on March 6-7.
Nearly 60 of the region’s most innovative and successful businesses will showcase their products and technologies at what will be 2024’s largest event held specifically for the manufacturing sector.
Organised by Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC), the festival aims to help local manufacturers and their service providers to ‘Connect to Grow’ by: strengthening local networks; nurturing relationships and connectedness; promoting and facilitating collaboration; and supporting capability building.
CCIC Executive Director Frank Sammut said the organisation’s main function was to connect manufacturers to government, research organisations, to the education sector and to other manufacturers.
“These connections lead to solving problems, increasing productivity, building resilience and ultimately growing the manufacturing sector and jobs,” he said.
Global household names such as Mars and Sanitarium will exhibit at the festival alongside many of the Central Coast’s leading manufacturing businesses, including Baltimore Aircoil, Trendpac, EastCoast Beverages, SpotGo, Herbie’s Spices, 4iD Solutions, Bioaction and more.
The full list of exhibitors will be available on the festival website.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore world-class products and technologies that have been developed within the Central Coast and adjacent regions.
Displays will include a dedicated room featuring ground-breaking innovations of circular economy businesses that have earned international recognition and awards.
“We are excited to be hosting dynamic manufacturers such as Star Scientific, iQRenew, Arc Ento Tech, 4 Seasons Insulation, Hydrogen at Home and Mil-Tek in our circular economy display room,” Sammut said.
“These businesses will be showcasing their game-changing innovations and talking to the opportunities they have gained by being a ‘circular’ business.”
Each day of the festival will feature a series of speaker sessions on topics related to government procurement opportunities, exporting, sustainability, lean manufacturing, the food and beverage industry, online sales, wellbeing and more.
A full list of speaker topics can be found at www.centralcoastindustryfestival.com.au
There will also be: a one-stop-shop for government agencies providing on-site advice and assistance through Investment NSW, Services NSW and Regional NSW; and a program of local student visitations to learn about diverse career pathways in manufacturing and food production.
The inaugural Central Coast Industry Festival attracted more than 800 visitors including business leaders, suppliers, buyers, distributors, service providers, students and the general public over three days last year.
This year CCIC is expecting a higher attendance with representation from other clusters and business groups across Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter regions.
Admission to the festival is free.
The business community, students and members of the general public are invited to attend.
Visitors can register online via the website or at the door on the day.
The festival will be held at Mingara Recreation Centre, Tumbi Umbi.
On Wednesday, March 6, it will open from 10am-6pm, with speaker sessions from 11am-4pm.
On Thursday, March 7, it will open from 10am-4pm, with speaker sessions from 10am-1.30pm.