Image credits: Feng Guo, Andrew Marselos and SECNA
This year's Social Enterprise Festival, held on August 3rd at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), marked the largest gathering of social enterprises in New South Wales. The festival brought together over 70 social enterprises and attracted more than 1,000 attendees, all eager to engage, learn, and contribute to a movement dedicated to creating a better world through business.
The festival was a vibrant hub of activity, featuring a diverse range of products and services that highlighted the creativity and dedication of social enterprises. From ethical goods and artisan products to delicious food and beverages, attendees had the opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of offerings from enterprises committed to social and environmental impact. The market stalls buzzed with energy, showcasing everything from OzHarvest Ventures' sustainable foods to the exquisite artisan products of ArtSHINE and the eco-friendly bikes of Revolve Recycling.
Organised by Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA), the sector-led peak body representing the interests of social enterprises and entrepreneurs in NSW and ACT, the family-friendly and inclusive event offered something for everyone. Children and adults participated in hands-on workshops and activations ranging from cooking demonstrations and yoga sessions to green cleaning workshops and CPR training. These interactive experiences entertained and educated attendees on how they can contribute to a fairer and more sustainable economy.
One of the festival's highlights was the series of engaging panel sessions and insightful workshops that focused on the critical role of social enterprises in building a fairer economy. Leading voices in the social enterprise movement shared their wisdom and experiences, igniting meaningful discussions and providing invaluable insights.
Bronwen Dalton, Head of the Department of Management at UTS Business School, opened the discussions on the limitless potential of social enterprises with Adam McCurdie, Co-Founder of Humanitix, sharing how technology can drive social impact. Weh Yeoh, Co-Founder and CEO of Umbo, and Tom Dawkins, Founder of StartSomeGood, added their voices to the mix, emphasising the importance of innovation and collaboration in achieving lasting change.
The workshops throughout the day provided attendees with practical tools and strategies to enhance their understanding of social enterprise. Key learnings included the importance of scaling both vertically and horizontally to deepen impact and expand reach, as well as the necessity of diversifying income streams to ensure financial stability. The sessions also highlighted the challenge of turning good intentions into action and the need for social enterprises to focus on practical, measurable outcomes.
Another key takeaway was the versatility of social enterprises. The festival underscored that social enterprise is not confined to a single sector but is a mindset that can transform any industry, from tech and agriculture to education and healthcare. Several speakers communicated that adaptability is crucial for driving systemic change and normalising ethical and sustainable business practices.
In the words of Lara Coffey from JC Entertainment & Events, "We've spent the past four months bringing this event to life and it was an amazing turnout, with many attendees chatting, learning, and being inspired by social enterprises!" Many shared her enthusiasm, including Lingzhi Kang, Co-Founder of Sunflower AI, who stated, "[What] a fantastic social enterprise festival. It introduced us to so many wonderful companies doing great things for our society and planet."
One of the festival's core messages was the power of mindful consumption. Every purchase made at the festival supported social enterprises, contributing to positive social and environmental impact. Andrew Marselos, SECNA Chair, embodied this idea, "I spent the day connecting with our fabulous SECNA members, reconnecting with old colleagues, hearing about stories of courage and perseverance, buying WAY too many goodies, meeting new social enterprises, enjoying a couple of delicious social enterprises coffees from Rebels N Misfits and a few cheeky muffins from The Bread & Butter Project and of course discussing all things social enterprise."
The festival also served as a platform for social enterprises to showcase their successes and communicate their impact effectively. Clear communication and impact demonstration were hot topics, with attendees learning the importance of using data, stories, and clear messaging to show stakeholders the tangible benefits of social enterprises.
The day concluded with a thought-provoking final session featuring Kylie Flament, Hedayat Osyan, Jessica Mendoza-Roth, and Rebecca Iliffe. They shared perspectives on the future of social enterprises, discussing the need for governments to raise the profile of these enterprises, the importance of connecting with values-aligned mainstream business partners, and the necessity of better funding and procurement. They also emphasised the role of education in normalising and supporting social enterprises.
The positive energy and sense of community at the festival were palpable. Sneha Sobti captured this sentiment perfectly: "Hats off to Kylie Flament, the SECNA team and volunteers for putting together a beautiful gathering of passionate people, causes and energy for all things impact."
As the festival wrapped up, Kylie Flament, CEO of SECNA reflected, "[There are] so many good humans doing great things for people and the planet, all in the one place. I'm still processing everything I learned at the festival and being inspired by social enterprises everywhere I go," she remarked, encapsulating the festival's spirit.
The outpouring of positive feedback and gratitude made it clear that the event had achieved its goal of fostering collaboration, innovation, and positive change.
Lingzhi Kang, Co-Founder at Sunflower AI, expressed heartfelt appreciation, saying, "Thanks to Kylie Flament and SECNA for hosting such a fantastic social enterprise festival. It introduced us to so many wonderful companies doing great things for our society and planet." This sentiment was widely shared among attendees.
Echoing this praise, Cathy Dimarchos, Global Advisor at solution2you, remarked, "The festival was an incredible showcase of innovation and community spirit, bringing together passionate individuals and organisations committed to making a positive impact." Her words highlighted the festival's success in creating a platform for meaningful connections and impactful discussions.
Similarly, Divya Gokal, Business Development Consultant at Worldwide Sheroes, shared her inspiring experience: "Attending the Social Enterprise Festival was incredibly inspiring. Thank you SECNA for hosting such a fabulous event! I had the opportunity to explore many social enterprises offering ethical and sustainable products and listen to game-changing entrepreneurs pitch their impactful solutions."
Agustin Arrieta, Program Manager at Social Impact Hub, added his voice to the chorus of approval, stating, "The festival was a great opportunity to meet many passionate individuals and organisations working to create positive change. A huge thank you to Kylie Flament and the SECNA team for organising such a fantastic event and for connecting the sector and being the voice for social enterprises in NSW & ACT."
The collective effort of everyone involved, from organisers and volunteers to speakers and attendees, created a powerful ripple effect that will continue to resonate long after the festival.
The collective effort of everyone involved, from organisers and volunteers to speakers and attendees, created a powerful ripple effect that will continue to resonate long after the festival. As Feng Guo, SECNA Deputy Chair, aptly put it, "[We're] looking forward to a bright future for the sector as we partner with policymakers and government to reshape the future of what 'business as usual' looks like." If you want to be part of next year's Social Enterprise, please fill in an Expression of Interest HERE.
The 2024 Social Enterprise Festival was more than just an event; it was a celebration of the true potential for business to be a force for good. It reinforced the idea that we can drive significant change by supporting social enterprises through our purchasing choices, sharing knowledge, advocating for supportive policies, and investing in social innovation.
As we look to the future, let us carry forward the lessons and inspiration from the festival. Every investment and daily purchase is a vote for the world we want to live in. By choosing to support social enterprises, impact businesses, and ESG-focused companies, we are actively driving positive change. Until next year, let's continue championing social enterprises and their incredible work. The future is bright, and we can make it even brighter with our collective effort.
The festival would not have been possible without the generous support of key sponsors, City of Sydney, UTS Business School, media sponsors GoodChat, supporters South Eveleigh, Westpac Foundation, ACRE and champions Leadership Space and Humanitix. Your contribution made the day a resounding success.
