Traditional owners, businesses and industries come together one of the largest Indigenous economic development events in Australia

The 8th Indigenous Economic Development (IED) Forum was held at the Darwin convention Centre from Monday 23 to Tuesday 24 October 2017.  The event provided an opportunity for over 300 attendees and Indigenous businesses from across the Northern Territory to showcase their products and services to key stakeholders with a vested interest to progress IED.

The theme of this year’s forum was The North is our Economic Story. The forum continued to build on engagement with Indigenous Territorians and involvement with the developing Northern Australia agenda; and providing practical opportunities for Indigenous businesses to establish connections with other business entities that can lead to commercial opportunities.

The Forum is a key event held during October Business Month and included a welcome reception, plenary sessions with keynote presentations, breakout sessions and an expo showcasing Indigenous businesses and services and programs

Key speakers for the event included Adrian Appo OAM, Executive Director of First Australians Capital, Jason Elsegood, current chair of the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network and Luke Bowen, General Manager of Northern Australia Development and Trade. The Master of Ceremonies was award winning actor Rob Collins, who was born in Darwin and has strong connections to the Tiwi Islands.

The Darwin Convention Centre was privileged to host the forum which encourages partnerships between Indigenous entrepreneurs, private sector, government and non-government organisations to achieve sustainable economic outcomes.