Networking events are making a comeback as local business people show they value the chance to connect with others.
On Thursday, November 14, the revival of the Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce (NICC) had a promising start, with Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown and about 50 people from local businesses and government services attending a meeting at Coledale RSL.
Among the group was ITeC's Virginia Wren, who will be drawing on two decades of experience in supporting small businesses to launch a free quarterly event at the academy's HQ in Coniston.
The first Business Connections Club night will be held on Wednesday, December 11. Thanks to Virginia for taking the time to tell us more.
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I have had the pleasure of working as a Business Development Manager with Illawarra ITeC for the past 21 years and really enjoy working closely with new and existing businesses, assisting them with business advice and delivering business workshops and training. I founded the Wollongong Small Business Club (WSBC) and facilitated their networking meetings for 18 years until it was disbanded due to COVID.
We recently merged with IRT to form ITeC Academy and this has been energising for staff and students. We still provide accredited training in Business, Hospitality, Construction and Entertainment Industry (Music and Screen & Media) as well as short sharp workshops, but due to the merger we also provide accredited training in Aged and Disability Care too.
What is your new project?
With our renewed energy, we have set out to offer a bi-monthly Business Connections club meetings which are free business networking events.
The first event will take place on Wednesday, 11th December with meetings taking place in February, April, June and August 2025.
The club aims to encourage B2B sales by providing an opportunity for business owners and operators to meet new customers and clients and gain insights from listening to high-profile business speakers; ultimately enhancing their business skills. The meetings are held after business hours at ITeC Academy premises, 1–5 Miller Street, Coniston from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Why is it needed?
Business networking is one of the most powerful tools for promoting and growing your business. It helps strengthen your reputation, create partnerships, and form mentorships with other local businesses.
Networking also allows you to learn from others, expand your business connections, and gain both business and personal confidence. For businesses, it’s essential to continually promote their products or services, and the Business Connections Club offers a fantastic, free platform to do just that. With the support of our sponsors, we’re able to offer these events at no cost to participants, making it accessible to everyone.
Who's helped put this together?
We’re excited to have WAVE FM and Wollongong City Council as committed sponsors for the events, with interest from other businesses to sponsor ‘one-off’ events. As the meetings grow in popularity, we believe a lot more organisations will want to be sponsorship partners. Their support allows us to bring in great speakers and offer quality catering, making each event more enjoyable and valuable for attendees.
Who should attend and where can readers find out more?
The Business Connections Club is open to any business owner or operator looking to expand their network, gain new insights, and build relationships that can help grow their business. Networking is about more than just what you can gain; it’s about offering value to others as well. By approaching networking with a mindset of mutual benefit, you can enhance your business reputation, create new opportunities, and foster lasting relationships.
You can find more information and register for upcoming events on the ITeC Academy website, where you'll receive personal invitations to each meeting.