Anywise attends the Supply Nation annual event, Connect. This year, Connect's theme focuses on Empowering Indigenous Futures and how political, social and economic changes can affect this.
What a great day on Gadigal land at Connect 2023, the Supply Nation annual tradeshow for the Indigenous business sector. The event brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and provides an opportunity for them to showcase their products and services, conduct business, engage with buyers and ultimately, to connect with the community.
As the Anywise office manager, I use the Supply Nation directory to source Indigenous suppliers for office supplies, promotional materials, merchandise, and gifts. After yesterday's event, I was able to put faces to the companies, discover more about their businesses and learn about their continued efforts to empower Indigenous futures.
Businesses ranged from Kalinda IT Services, who have recently signed a deal to roll out a data centre network across Australia, to the Arnhem Beverage Company with their product Knowledge Water, sustainably sourced from a rainforest spring in their homeland community at Mandjawuy, Northern Territory.
In addition to the exhibitors, there was entertainment for us to enjoy with musical performances from De Greer Yindimincarlie and a fashion parade from Buluuy Mirrii.
Throughout the day, three discussion panels took place:
Empowering Indigenous Futures
International Engagement and Global Opportunities (an all female panel 🎉)
Protecting the Integrity of the Indigenous Business sector
The Empowering Indigenous Futures panel, consisted of Jack Reis (Co-Founder and CEO, Baidam Solutions), Daniel Joinbee (Managing Director, Gunggandji), Katherine Dunn (Aboriginal and Diversity Lead, TfNSW) and Carla McGarth (Board Chair, GetUp and Native Foodways & Board Director, BlakDance). These inspirational business leaders all share a positive vision that will have a multi-generation impact on industry and the wider community.
Discussion points included the crucial need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to re-invest in their communities for the benefit of future generations. They also emphasised the importance of non-Indigenous companies becoming genuine allies with Indigenous businesses, building long-lasting business relationships, not just transactional encounters.
Here at Anywise, we make sure that we are that ally that nurtures meaningful business connections…and with the display of all the amazing and expansive businesses exhibiting yesterday, that won’t be hard to do.
Thanks Connect 2023, we can’t wait till Connect 2024!
In 2021, we achieved a huge milestone for us both personally and professionally. Our RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) was approved. You can read more about our journey to Reconciliation here. We are incredibly passionate about doing our part to help honour the country we stand on, and work towards both reconciliation and better understanding the Aboriginal people who have been here long before us.