NSX Business Growth Summit

NISER representatives will make up more than 300 delegates that are expected to attend a two-day NSX Business Growth Summit to be held at the Crown Promenade in Melbourne in October. The Sunshine Coast will be represented by Sean Rothsey, Deputy Chairman of NISER and the imperatives will assist NISER in facilitating outcomes with the Economic Development and the Council Entrepreneurship Unit of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

The conference will include discussion on the challenges for the SME sector in early stage investing, succession planning, effective communications management, exit strategies as well as recent corporate governance developments and current thinking on the effective utilisation of the capital markets.

Delegates from small business, business advisors, government agencies and the financial community will gain valuable information from a range of practised authorities specialising in innovative financing mechanisms, effective corporate reporting, challenges of growing a SME and the costs and benefits of being a publicly-listed company. Three businesses from the Sunshine Coast who are considering a listing on the NSX have indicated that they will be attending.

Topics will include:
Effective Utilisation of the Capital Markets for Growth. Michael Sherlock, former CEO Brumby’s, and a range of experts will discuss the challenges of being an effective growth company on the capital markets. Michael transformed the ailing brand into a business success and drove the bakery share price from .56c to $3.40 in just over 3 years. Michael resigned as Managing Director of Brumby’s after it was purchased by the ASX listed company, RFG for $46 million.

The 7 steps to a Highly Effective Capital Raising. Stephen Macaw, Director ABN Amro Morgans, who has over 15 years experience in the IPO market, and Chris Evans, MD Quivre, lead a range of experts in discussing the critical success factors of effective financing. Case studies will be presented by Craig Mills, CEO of Golden Circle and Peter Noble CEO of FoodWorks, both recently listed on the NSX. Chris Evans is actively involved on the Sunshine Coast with NISER as a NOMAD to the NSX.

The Australian Growth Market Experience in an International Context.
The Federal Minister for Small Business Dr Craig Emerson and Dr Martin Fahy, CEO of Finsia, speak on the changing landscape of the Australian capital markets within the international system and how that is assisting growth companies.

Sustainable Investing, Cleantech & Water. The NSX provides a unique platform to a range of emerging markets including SIM, the Cleantech Investment market that was launched in September 2007 by former US Vice President Al Gore. SIM is a purpose built equity market, operating as a board under the Australian Market Licence of the NSXA.

Innovation, Communication and Technology. Australia now has its own specialist exchange for technology companies through the Asia Pacific Technology Exchange (APTEX). This is a joint venture between NSX Ltd and Enterprise Pacific, a non-profit company established as part of the Pacific Technology Corridor Business Plan. Geoff Mullins, Chairman of Enterprise Pacific, predicts the new exchange will compare to similar exchanges established overseas with an expected 20 companies wanting to list by the end of 2008.

The NSX Capital Markets Forum is planned to be an annual event and further information is available from niser@niser.org.au or by phoning 5442 5050.

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