Commerce Torquay
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Events
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Jul
23
Workshop - Finance for Business Owners with Grace Cartledge
Surf Coast Shire Council
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Accessing finance as a self-employed person can be very different from applying for a loan as an employee. Understanding how lenders view business structures, income, assets and risk can make a signifcant difference to both the process and the outcome of a finance application.
Join Grace Cartledge, Finance Broker for an engaging and practical educational session designed specifically for business owners, entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals. Known for presenting complex financial concepts in an informative, relatable and easy to digest way, Grace will provide valuable insights to help you better understand your options and make more informed financial decisions.
During this session, Grace will explore:
How recent budget changes have impacted the lending landscape
How to strategically utilise equity without necessarily using your home as loan security
The key differences between residential and commercial lending
Ways finance can be used to support and improve business cashflow
Funding options for business acquisitions and share purchases
How loan structures can influence future borrowing flexibility and growth opportunities
Whether you're looking to expand, purchase a business, improve cashflow or simply gain a better understanding of the finance landscape, this session will provide practical knowledge and actionable strategies you can take away and apply to your business.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a trusted finance professional, ask questions and gain clarity on the opportunities and challenges that come with securing finance as a business owner. You'll leave with greater confidence, a clearer understanding of lending options and valuable insights to help position your business for future success.
Sep
10
2026 Torquay Business Awards Presentation Dinner
The Sands Torquay
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Come along and join us in celebrating Torquay's businesses.
The presentation dinner will include:
Welcome drink
2 Course meal
(Drinks available at bar prices).
Dress to impress
Past events
Jun
17
Past Event
Practical AI - Workshop with Matt Cowdell from Arthur Street Digital
Surf Coast Shire Council
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
PRACTICAL AI
Is AI overhyped or is it a step change to the way we do business and live our lives?
AI is everywhere but for most small and medium businesses the real question isn’t “what is AI?”, it’s what’s actually useful, safe, and worth doing next.
This practical session cuts through the hype to show where AI is already creating real value for SMEs today and where it’s still immature, risky, or simply not needed yet.
We’ll focus on augmentation over automation (humans + AI), and the habits, workflows and guardrails that make AI genuinely helpful in day-to-day business.
Attendees will leave with:
· A clear view of what AI can and can’t do reliably right now (and why).
· A short list of high-impact SME use cases across marketing, operations, customer service and admin (with examples).
· A simple framework to choose the right AI opportunities (based on data, risk, and effort).
· Practical leave behinds and a “next 7 days” action plan to start applying AI immediately.
MATT COWDELL - ARTHUR STREET DIGITAL
Matt has been working at the intersection of marketing, technology and innovation for more than a decade. Early on, he was building machine learning tools with Python, long before AI became part of everyday business conversation.
Today, he helps organisations and teams understand, adopt and apply AI in practical ways through workshops, mentoring and solution design. With a background spanning digital strategy, lead generation and business growth, Matt brings both technical curiosity and commercial clarity to the way AI is introduced, understood and used.
May
04
Past Event
CONVERSE - CONNECT - CREATE - An evening with Ant Williams @ Surf Hotel
SURF HOTEL
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Join us for an inspiring evening with world record holding freediver and psychologist Ant Williams as he shares his memoir, Let it Be Tough.
This event is proudly supported by the newly opened Surf Hotel Torquay.
The Surf Hotel celebrates locally inspired dining and, coming soon, a boutique 16-room hotel and four-bedroom penthouse will bring relaxed luxury to Torquay's coastline.
Stay on after Ant’s presentation and keep the conversation going over dinner - book your table today!
Mar
25
Past Event
After 5 Networking - Coastal Nectar
Torquay Community House
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Step inside the world of bees and honey
Enjoy an evening of networking and connection, featuring Thomas Earls from Coastal Nectar as he takes us inside the world of bees and the art of producing local honey.
2025 Torquay Business Awards ‘Business of the Year’ WINNER
Feb
18
Past Event
Hello 2026 - Business Networking with Coulter Legal
Bomboras Torquay
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Hello 2026 – Business Networking
Kick off the new year with Commerce Torquay at Hello 2026, an energising business networking event bringing together local professionals, business owners, and leaders.
Converse. Connect. Create.
Start 2026 with fresh ideas, valuable relationships, and new opportunities.
Proudly sponsored by Coulter Legal
Dec
04
2025
Past Event
Christmas Celebration and AGM
Torquay Wine Store
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Nov
18
2025
Past Event
Cheers to Business: Celebrating Our TBA Finalists & Winners
Torquay Bowls Club
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM