New funding for city leaders

COFFEE CLUB: The new forum aims to get entrepreneurs sitting around the table in an informal environment at Rotorua's Flair Space. PHOTO/SUPPLIED 040214FLAIR

Rotorua entrepreneurs will soon have a new forum in which to share experiences and get support and advice.

Business networking group Rotorua X has secured funding from the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust (RECT) that will enable it to run regular free entrepreneur forums.

Rotorua X board chairman Darren McGarvie said the forum would be similar to those already running in Taupo and Tauranga. "They're essentially coffee clubs for business owners to get together over a meal or a drink and talk about what's going on in their business," he said. "Everyone supports everyone else with ideas."

Mr McGarvie said the idea came about from discussions with local business people at Rotorua X events last year. He approached RECT which came through with a significant grant.

"That allowed us to put up a regular event." He said the entrepreneur forum would differ from the monthly Rotorua X networking events, which were more about business owners simply connecting with and being inspired by others.

"This is more about sitting down around the boardroom table and talking about what's going in in our businesses ... helping people achieve their goals."

Mr McGarvie said the forum would especially appeal to those with new businesses or those who ran social entities or charities.

Another feature will be the "hot seat" - a chance for forum attendees to hear from organisations or individuals which can assist them in some way.

"We'll put someone in the hot seat for five minutes to talk about what they do and how they can help," Mr McGarvie said.

Clive Thomson from the Employers and Manufacturers' Association is likely to be first up in the seat, he said.

Rotorua's Dan Christie set up property management business Property Cycle with his wife Aimee in November 2012.

He said the forum appealed to him and he'd try to get along when possible. "Being a business owner you sometimes bump into problems," he said. "You sit and have a beer with your usual mates that might not have a business ... they don't know what you're saying."

Having been to other Rotorua X events, he said it was like a support network. "You meet people and they refer you to people that might help you."

The first forum is tentatively scheduled for later this month and they will initially run monthly.

Anyone is welcome to attend the events, which will be held at Flair Space, however, numbers are limited so email rotoruax@gmail.com to register interest.

Meanwhile, Mr McGarvie and Rotorua X have also been busy developing a programme of hour-long business training modules, which will kick off next month. They will cost $50 per person and cover topics such as employment law, social media and banking.

Mr McGarvie said Rotorua X, which has now been running for five years, had gone from strength to strength and consistently attracted 40 to 50 people to its events.

For more information on the programmes see Rotorua X on Facebook.