Mainstreet Australia bringing the spotlight to the City of Hobart

Published on 02 August 2023

The City of Hobart continues to support its local business community and the Central Business District by helping bring the Mainstreet Australia Conference to Tasmania for the first time.

The Mainstreet Australia Conference brings together organisations and individuals committed to the success and survival of main streets and town centres, for education, inspiration, and connection.

This year’s conference, themed Think Big, Act Local to be held from August 2-4, will see a host of top name speakers hitting Hobart, passing on their wisdom, knowledge and expertise to locals and visitors alike.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said this conference would greatly benefit Hobart’s business community, whether they be big or small, while bringing 150 delegates to the City contributing to the local economy.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas, learnings and forge connections with other individuals and organisations who are committed to the success and survival of our town centres,” Cr Reynolds said.

“The conference will bring together likeminded individuals who are all committed to the success of our town centres and will feature a line-up of inspiring and thought-provoking keynote speakers.”

Keynote speakers include Executive Director of US company PlacemakingX Ethan Kent, chair of the UK Government’s High Street Task Force Mark Robinson, shopologist Dr Louise Grimmer, former host of Channel Nine’s Money program and current host of Channel 7’s The Franchise Show Effie Zahos, and former Sportsgirl chief executive officer Colleen Callander.

Mainstreet Australia president Georgina Pikoulas said she was thrilled to be bringing the renowned annual National Conference to Hobart in partnership with the City of Hobart and Business Events Tasmania.

“This is the most important annual gathering in Australia for experts and organisations committed to place leadership, economic development and main street revitalisation,” Ms Pikoulas said.

“We are proud to bringing an exciting line up of international and national speakers to Hobart, with topics and themes curated to inspire place leaders to respond to challenges created by the current cost of living pressures and calling on delegates to Think Big and Act Local.

“We look forward to welcoming the over 150 delegates to the beautiful city of Hobart.”

The City of Hobart will be hosting a public event on Friday August 4 at Simple Cider, 189 Elizabeth Street, from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Future Hobart Portfolio Chair Helen Burnet said the City was excited to be bringing a high level of expertise to Hobart, in recognition of the value of placemaking and urban design on local businesses.

“This is an opportunity for our key stakeholders and the general public to come and hear first-hand from Ethan Kent who is a renowned leader in the field of placemaking,” Cr Burnet said.

“The session will outline how placemaking empowers communities and businesses to create vibrant, safe, and welcoming streets, and also explore the value of placemaking in the context of Hobart and our city's journey towards becoming a people-centric place.”

For more information please visit https://conference.mainstreetaustralia.org.au/