I welcome all interested parties to become involved in the 2013 NAB National Small Business Summit in Brisbane on Wednesday, 24 and Thursday 25 July 2013.

This will be the 11th NAB Small Business Summit and will be attended by luminaries such as the Federal Minister for Small Business, The Hon Gary Gray MP, and the Shadow Federal Minister for Small Business, The Hon Bruce Billson MP. Also speaking will be the 2012 COSBOA Small Business Champion Ondina Gregoric, who will outline the secret of her success and the importance of giving back to the sector.

Small business owners employ over 4.5 million people and are a major part of the economy, as well as contributing members of our local communities.  Small business people provide our society with the capability to innovate and to deal with adversity much more quickly than big business.  
 
2013 is the election year and COSBOA is committed to providing a voice for small business. At the Summit we look forward to discussing our policies on workplace relations, the collection of superannuation and paid parental leave, contract law and competition policy, women in business, and burdensome compliance and regulation demands on small business people.

People : Policy : Partnership is the theme for the 2013 Summit and will connect all the significant stakeholders - small business, politicians, key regulators, government officials and big business - in a three way exchange of minds in our advancements to debate policy and build partnerships for the betterment of our people.  

I encourage you to shape the future with us by participating in the national debate.

Chair, COSBOA