Regional Executive Forum
A network for regional leaders
In 2010 Champions of the Bush established an Australian first regional business networking program called the Regional Executive Forum (REF) which brings together over 50 CEOs, Business Owners and Executive Leaders on a monthly basis.
It provides a network for regional leaders of business and industry to generate, analyse and apply proven ideas, experiences and strategies.
The Regional Executive Forum (REF), provides Chief Executives and General Managers the medium to generate, analyse and apply proven ideas, experience and strategies.
The REF is an Australian first networking program designed to bring together CEOs and Managers based in regional areas.
Initiated by Champions of the Bush, the forum is the first of its kind to operate beyond metropolitan boundaries and has been created to strengthen and up-skill regional industries and enhance the capabilities and business networks of its participants.
Three chapters of the forum exist across regional Victoria:
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Gippsland
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North East Victoria
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South West Victoria.
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Each chapter is chaired by an experienced business person with strong links to and affinity within and beyond regional business communities day-to-day networking opportunities that exist within regional business and industry.
The forum operates through a series of monthly roundtable discussions. Keynote speaking events are also part of the forum’s offering.
The program diffuses the isolation country-based CEOs and upper-level managers can experience due to:
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Geographical distance from other professionals and like-minded companies
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The smaller number of similar industries in regional areas
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The limited day-to-day networking opportunities that exist within regional business and industry.