The expert business support Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) can offer screen sector companies was the focus of August’s successful inaugural Screen Business Mixer.
The support includes ATEED’s delivery of the Government’s Regional Business Partner Network (RBPN) programme across Auckland, helping businesses to potentially access Callaghan Innovation research and development grants and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) capability vouchers.
The event at Corban Estate, in the west Auckland screen heartland, also enabled the screen business community to be updated on the work ATEED has been doing over the past few months to support the sector, including securing the medium-term future of Auckland Film Studios, securing major incoming productions, and opportunities that ATEED sees in skills and training, digital connectivity and business development.
There was an informative fireside chat with Phil Walters from Metalbird, a creative business which has worked with ATEED to build its business capability; Christopher Boys from Katabolt, an export strategy expert who facilitates the Export Essentials workshops for NZTE; and Zac De Silva, a business strategist and coach. Their advice proved insightful to many in the room.
The newly formed Auckland Screen Alliance (ASA) also introduced its organisation to the group. The ASA has been formed to create a more sustainable and collaborative screen industry.
The evening was a great opportunity for the screen sector to meet outside a production setting and discuss how ATEED can help businesses develop in Auckland’s environment of screen industry growth and opportunity.
The mixer kicked off a series of ATEED workshops to provide information and support to screen businesses, from sole traders through to small and medium sized businesses which want to grow.
If you are interested in receiving more information about screen business initiatives, please email [email protected] to go on the mailing list.
If you are interested in receiving business support and mentoring, please contact [email protected] or [email protected], who will be able to guide you through pathways tailored to specific businesses.