Glen Innes business owners have a full month of free help on their doorstep, with the Glen Innes Highlands Hub launching its Rise & Thrive 2026 program for NSW Small Business Month.
The program runs from Thursday, 1 October to Saturday, 31 October and includes workshops, business breakfasts, Lunch & Learns, guest speakers, practical support, and networking. All events are free.
Organisers say there is something for everyone, whether in retail, tourism, trades, hospitality, creative industries, professional services, or just starting out.
The month opened on Thursday, 1 October with the launch of the program and a new Glen Innes Highlands Hub Small Business Toolkit at the Highlands Hub at 167 Grey Street. The Toolkit and program will be available at the Hub all month.
On Friday, 2 October, the Hub will run a drop-in Business Cinema, screening practical business webinars in its Switched-On Room from 9am to 5pm.
Connectivity is on the menu at a business breakfast on Friday, 9 October. The session will look at local connectivity, NBN developments, and digital support for businesses. Kerry Byrne and the Glen Innes Severn Public Library team will share how the library’s Digital Literacy Program is helping local people build digital skills and confidence.
A Lunch & Learn the same day will bring together a Taronga Mines update and community initiatives overview, followed by a presentation from Evan Brown of the Emmaville Mining Museum on the role of volunteers, local stories, and knowing your audience in building a strong visitor experience.
Career coach Chloe Spillane will lead a Women in Business morning on Tuesday, 13 October, focused on strengths, confidence, change, and next steps.
Later that day, Jessica Bradbery from the University of New England’s SMART Region Incubator will officially launch a new partnership between UNE and the Glen Innes Highlands Hub. The session will show how local people can tap into mentoring, programs, networks, and university expertise to test and develop their ideas. No existing business or polished business plan is needed.
Thursday, 15 October is a big day. A Lunch & Learn will bring together schools, TAFE NSW, apprenticeship and training representatives, and workforce support services for businesses thinking about taking on an apprentice or trainee.
Regional business advisor Julie Humphris will also offer one-on-one business appointments throughout the day. That evening, Ms Humphris will share the story of Launch Pad, a program that has helped young people in other regional communities explore entrepreneurship, and what a similar opportunity could look like in Glen Innes. The session is supported by FRRR and GLENRAC.
Visitors are the focus on Friday, 16 October, when Fiona Barden from Destination Country & Outback will present visitor insights and regional tourism trends at a business breakfast. The Glen Innes Highlands Tourism and Visitor Information Centre team will explain how businesses can work with them, followed by an ATDW onboarding session to help businesses be found online.
Ms Humphris will then run a Business Bootcamp from 10am to 2pm, covering customers, planning, marketing, finances, digital tools, AI, and growth.
A further ATDW tourism visibility session will be held on Thursday, 22 October.
The Local on Grey Street will host a business breakfast on Friday, 23 October. Kerrod and Michelle Pedlow will talk about growing The Local and keeping staff, while Meg and Rory from Beardy Downs will share their story of moving to the Deepwater area, goat farming, and developing their own range of face and body products.
On Tuesday, 27 October, the NSW Small Business Commission will explain the support available for disputes, commercial leasing, and mediation, followed by a plain-English look at what the NSW Vibrancy Reforms and 24-hour economy could mean for businesses across the Glen Innes Highlands.
The month wraps up on Friday, 30 October. Andrew and Paula will share the story of Rural Fit and the journey into the Glen Innes Health Hub at a breakfast, followed by the Health Hub’s Open Day.
That evening, Creative After Dark will turn the Highlands Hub into a relaxed evening of local creatives, food, coffee, and ideas, showing how businesses can work together to create more activity after hours.
The full program and bookings are available at https://highlandshub.spaces.nexudus.com/events
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