Event date change gives GEDC time for blueprint
The clash of the economic development forums has been avoided with the Committee for Economic Development of Australia shifting the date of its Kalgoorlie-Boulder event to later this year.
CEDA’s State of the Regions event was to be held on March 5, the same date as the Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Over the Horizon forum.
However, the Kalgoorlie Miner can confirm the event has now been shifted to allow the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission to complete its Goldfields-Esperance Regional Investment Blueprint.
CEDA WA State director Liz Ritchie said the decision to postpone had been made together with the GEDC.
“Unfortunately, the time frame wasn’t suitable for the commission,” she said.
“Given that, we felt it would be more appropriate, and in the best interests of the region, to postpone the event at a time where the blueprint would be available for release.”
GEDC chief executive Shayne Flanagan said the commission was appreciative of the extra time offered to complete the investment blueprint. “We’re very happy that CEDA have postponed the event so that it provides the GEDC with sufficient time to complete its blueprint, which will then form part of the future event,” he said.
ECCI events and marketing co-ordinator Tori Castledine also welcomed the news of the postponement.
“We understand that the CEDA conference is an exciting event in itself,” she said.
“However, economic development really is about what people are doing within the regions themselves, people that are actually on the ground.
“Our conference is in its seventh year, it’s a proven event and it’s talking about what’s happening in the region from people who are living in the regions.”
Ms Castledine said the ECCI was excited about the opportunity to now attract people to Over the Horizon who had previously been committed to the CEDA event.
People can purchase tickets for Over the Horizon by visiting the ECCI’s website.
The CEDA Kalgoorlie-Boulder State of the Regions event is expected to be held in June.
Attendees can still register interest by contacting CEDA on 6104 7104.
