BGCCI PRESIDENT’S REPORT – February 2020It has been a reflective start to the year with the Chamber Staff and Executive working on our business plan updates for 2020 and a strategic review of our Vision 2025 with our Board Members. Like most business owners we are reflecting on what our market (our members) need and what has worked well and what needs to change going forward to meet the challenges of restrictive trading and tighter economic times.The BGCCI participated in a stimulating Saturday afternoon session of the Vison 2050 Community Summit held by the Shire of Dardanup Vision 2050 to identify and prioritise big and innovative ideas for high level future planning and a vision for the longer-term development of the Greater Dardanup Region.The recent South West Advanced Manufacturing Workshop with the SWDC was an opportunity to seek input from industry experts on the challenges, needs, trends and future opportunities in the manufacturing sector. It was an engaging discussion and we look forward to participating in deliberating on the findings and delivering some of the outcomes proposed.Central Bunbury remains in our focus and the combined stakeholder group are still working on what we can deliver to stimulate key areas of the CBD. It is fantastic to see the positive effect major events, attractions, fund-raisers and community gatherings can have on stimulating the local business community. The challenge is to maintain and continue to attract a broad range of these activities and events throughout the year.We look forward to building on this positive energy in the months ahead and remain hopeful that the economic tide will continue to turn in an upwards direction! We wish you positive and successful trading in the period ahead.Rob SkipseyPresident BGCCI