BENDIGO'S Small Business Festival is off to a booming start, organisers say.
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City of Greater Bendigo business development manager Peter Jeffery said the state government had reported strong interest in the month-long itinerary of events.
About 75 people attended The Capital theatre for Monday night's Managing the Motherload forum.
The crowd heard from a panel of seven professionals, who juggled raising a family with work commitments.
A slightly bigger-sized crowd again ventured to The Capital on last night to hear REMPLAN's Matthew Nichol talk on the changing face of retail and what makes shoppers tick.
Mr Nichol also spoke on the impact major events and exhibitions had on retail in Bendigo.
Nearly 30 events will be held throughout the festival, culminating in the marquee event on August 27, an Amplify your Success dinner with entrepreneur and Shark Tank judge Naomi Simson.
Mr Jeffery said the event at The All Seasons Conservatory was already half booked.
"All the early-bird tickets that were available are gone," he said.
"Elsewhere around the state, Naomi Simson events have sold out.
"We have a bit of a way to go, but all the early-bird tickets being gone is a promising sign."
Ms Simson is one of the founding directors of RedBalloon, an online experience gift retailer.
She was ranked by The Business Insider as one of top 30 tech influencers on Twitter.
The festival, now in its 10th year, is being co-ordinated for the first time in Bendigo by council's business development unit.
It will include events organised by the council, Bendigo Business Council, Bendigo Tourism and city businesses.
Mr Jeffery said the event had definitely capitalised on the momentum of previous year's events run by the Bendigo Business Council.
Today’s events include a free social media workshop delivered by the iBendigo Loddon Mallee Group as part of the Bendigo Digital Enterprise Program.
A full program of events is available from the City of Greater Bendigo’s Lyttleton Terrace office or the Business Victoria website.