WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY
What to expect on the day?
C3 is presented to you by John Calabro (pictured), founder of Traralgon based brand design agency, The View From Here, and co-founder of Gippslandia Magazine and supported by Latrobe City Council’s Business Development team, as part of the 2024 business festival.
Following the overwhelming success of 2024's C3 day, we're back again - bigger and better than ever. C3 has been designed to dive deep into the theme of connections, and has largely been informed by John's own rewarding experiences as a small business owner who has broadened his own horizons through associations with a range of business networking and advisory groups around Melbourne.
C3 aims to keep you interested throughout the day, featuring a series of short and sharp, introductory 'taster' talks by a mix of business leaders and networking groups. The day will allow for lots of breaks and plenty of time to mingle between sessions, and will be punctuated by two keynote speeches — the first by Chris Anstee, who turned two decades in the recruitment trenches into a startup success story. After mastering the game at major listed firms, Chris launched Cornerstone HR in 2010 and built it into an ANZ powerhouse - 50 staff strong and placing up to 2000 workers daily. From corporate climber to business builder, he knows what it takes to scale. The second keynote comes from Emma Welsh, the entrepreneurial force who transformed Emma & Tom's from ambitious idea into thriving reality. Emma doesn't just talk about overcoming challenges - she's lived them, conquered them, and turned them into stepping stones for success. Her journey proves that with grit, vision, and relentless determination, you can build something extraordinary from scratch.
Seats are strictly limited, GET YOUR TICKETS now. Below is a short summary of what to expect in each session.
INTRO /
COFFEE CONNECT
10.00AM—10.30AM / PASTRY & COFFEE NETWORKING
SESSION 1 /
GROUP CONNECT
10.30AM—11.30AM
Arrive to a coffee and a pastry on us. Bring a stack of business cards and a sense of energy—this is your opportunity to meet a range of businesses and networking representatives. Don’t be shy. Meet, greet, share information and build a new professional relationship with business from across both the Latrobe Valley, Gippsland and Greater Metropolitan Melbourne areas.
Our first session will feature a brief introduction by up to 4x different business networking groups, each chosen due to their uniqueness, each bringing something different to the table. You will have an opportunity to meet their represented nominee during the day to enquire further about whether your business is a good fit for membership with the organisation.
Established in 1994, MBN’s purpose is to support the business community within the municipality of Melbourne. By facilitating connections, communication and collaboration between businesses, they contribute to the economic development of Melbourne.
The IQ Club support business owners, trusted advisors, and industry leaders by creating events which engage the wider business community.
All events are by invitation only and are tailored to build influence and credibility in the industry verticals our members serve.
The Business Owners Alliance supports small and medium-sized business owners through peer meetings, one-on-one coaching, and business analysis tools. These sessions, led by experienced coaches, focus on accountability, strategy, and growth, empowering members to drive success.
PETER ANGELICO / SEMMA
A company founder and experienced Managing Director with a proven track record of solving complex supply chain challenges in the mechanical and industrial engineering sectors. This entrepreneur brings expertise in negotiation, business planning, operations management, coaching, and sales to drive results for clients.
With strong entrepreneurial instincts and practical business acumen, they've built their career on finding innovative solutions that deliver real value. Their educational foundation includes an Associate degree in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from Australian Employment & Training Solutions, complementing years of hands-on industry experience.
SESSION 2 /
KNOWLEDGE CONNECT
11.30AM—12.15PM
Occasionally, business owners suffer from a case of ‘not knowing what they don’t know’… This session seeks to address this problem directly.
Hear from four vastly diverse subject matter experts who bring a fresh perspective on a range of topics which may not be typically be well represented in the usual business networking settings around Gippsland and Latrobe Valley.
Expect a short series of ‘taster’ presentations to start the conversation for your business.
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OLIVIA’S PLACE
Pheba Daniel / CEO, Olivia’s Place
Knee-deep in family life as a mum of three and in her role leading Olivia’s Place, Pheba brings both lived experience and professional insight to all she does. With over a decade of experience in the therapeutic and mental health space, in Australia and overseas, she’s witnessed the landscape evolve and isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Under her leadership, Olivia’s Place supports families across the six shires of Gippsland as well as Casey and Cardinia, guided by the belief that it takes a village to raise a child and build resilient, connected communities where families are supported before reaching crisis. -
Presser & Co M&A Advisory
Trevor brings over 15 years of M&A and financial advisory expertise to mid-market businesses, specialising in technology and cross-border transactions. As CEO of Presser & Co, an Australian-based global boutique investment bank, he empowers business owners to maximise their value and growth potential through strategic decision-making. Trevor's core strengths include developing targeted M&A strategies, leading transactions from start to finish, and building networks that deliver high-quality deal flow. He also oversees BeeReadi, Presser & Co's online division providing automated financial modelling services to help mid-market companies prepare for selling or raising capital more efficiently.
Session / 3
NETWORKING LUNCH
12.15PM—1.15PM
After a fast paced morning, enjoy a friendly seated networking lunch and take the opportunity to meet the speakers and other guests and business owners from both the Gippsland and Metro ends of the M1. Don’t be shy— come armed with business cards, say hello and get in the spirit to connect city and country!
Lunch will be included in your ticket price.
SESSION 4 /
LOCal Connect
Chris Anstee
CEO AND FOUNDER / CORNERSTONE HR
1.15PM—2.00PM
Chris Anstee, who has over 20 years of experience in the recruitment industry predominantly within the blue-collar sector. Before starting Cornerstone HR in 2010, Chris worked in senior sales and operations roles for a few large, listed Recruitment Firms that helped him gain the knowledge, experience and confidence to do a startup. Since inception, Chris has grown his company across ANZ employing 50 internal staff and payrolling 1700-2000 temps per day.
SESSION 5 /
FUTURE CONNECT
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
EMMA WELSH
CEO AND CO-FOUNDER, EMMA & TOM'S
2.00PM—3.00PM
Emma Welsh, who is the driving force behind the thriving enterprise known as Emma & Tom's, courageously turned her aspirations into reality by establishing her own business. Today, she is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a source of inspiration, sharing the story of her remarkable journey and the various challenges she faced along the way. Her experience serves as a testament to the power of pursuing one's passions and the rewards that can come from hard work and determination.
