Commerce Ballarat NextGen Collective – more than just networking!

Early on in my career I remember attending networking events. That feeling of walking into a room, wondering if you are going to know anyone, will you find anyone to talk to or be left standing on your own? That feeling of nervousness and awkwardness. What I learnt was most people feel the same way, they’re in the same boat! Reflecting on my career in terms of these networking events, early on I thought I was attending to help build my network and for business development purposes, to win work. From the people I’ve met at these networking events and the relationships I’ve built, given my line of work, it has definitely helped in winning work however there is so much more value and benefit I have received from attending these events over the years.

That’s why Inspire HQ has sponsored the new look, re-branded Commerce Ballarat NextGen Collective for 2025.

Reading the Commerce Ballarat Weekly Newsletter, and reading about the rebrand of the Young Professionals Network to the NextGen Collective, the ideas that Commerce Ballarat have for the NextGen Collective instantly resonated with me personally and aligned with Inspire HQ’s why; building great workplaces.

The NextGen Collective is the place to be for emerging talent in Ballarat. The Collective is dedicated to our city's young people and works to help them network, push their limits, and grow as individuals in their lives and careers. It’s business-made casual, and the benefits extend far beyond the workplace.

The reason the NextGen Collective resonated so strongly with me is because I’ve experienced first hand the value of having access to the kinds of initiatives the NextGen Collective is offering - it’s something you can’t offer your employees within the workplace or through formal training courses and programs.

Networking and Relationship Building

One of the benefits of supporting your NextGen employees to attend these events is the opportunity to network with peers, mentors, and potential business partners. In a city like Ballarat, where the business community is continually growing, forging strong relationships is invaluable. These events provide a platform for your team members to interact with fellow professionals and establish connections that can lead to new opportunities.

From networking with a diverse group of individuals across a wide range of industries, I gained so much knowledge and insight from building a network outside the industry I operated in day in and day out. It gave me insight in to what was happening in the broader business world, at a local community level, which in turn made me better at my job. It created opportunities for business growth, partnerships, but most importantly it helped me build a network of people that I could reach out to and lean on for advice, information, or a different perspective.

Exposure to New Ideas and Innovation

This year the NextGen Collective events will be a mix of social events and professional development sessions – watch this space for more info - to help attendees grow and forge their careers. While our plan is that these events provide valuable knowledge, my experience has been that often the learning comes from our peers. Sharing what they are doing, the issues they are facing and how they are overcoming them is insightful and invaluable. It’s not always about re-inventing the wheel. The knowledge gained at these events can spark creative thinking and drive meaningful change in your company.

Employee Engagement and Retention

Supporting and encouraging employees to attend events that focus on professional development and growth sends a clear message that you value their contributions and are invested in their career success. This in turn helps foster a culture of engagement, loyalty and job satisfaction.

When employees feel supported and encouraged to grow, they are more likely to stay with your company in the long term. Attending the NextGen Collective events allows your team to return to work with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of motivation, which can improve overall productivity and performance.

In a tight business operating environment, often training budgets are cut. The NextGen Collective is a really cost effective way to offer professional development opportunities, without having your team members away from the business for full days or multiple days at a time.

Sending your team members to Commerce Ballarat’s NextGen Collective events is more than just a chance for them to network. It’s an opportunity to learn—it’s an investment in the future success of your company.

Your team members will gain new skills, form valuable connections, and return with renewed motivation to help your business thrive. In a world where change is constant, events like the NextGen Collective help you and your team stay relevant and adaptable.

The first NextGen Collective event is being held next Thursday 13th March and we are kicking the year off with a fun and social evening of Barefoot Bowls. To subscribe to the mailing list and to secure your ticket, visit: Commerce Ballarat

My team look forward to meeting your NextGen employees at these events!

Angela Connor is the Founder and Director of Inspire HQ, one of regional Victoria’s leading recruitment, human resource and career coaching companies. She understands the significance of having the right team of people in a business and is passionate about helping business to attract, recruit and engage the right people so those people can inject their talents into the business; creating an environment where they can do great work and love what they do. Find more useful information and advice at www.inspirehq.com.au or by following Angela on LinkedIn.