Investors, entrepreneurs and corporate executives would have an opportunity to understand and connect with successful ethnic businesses at a conference scheduled to be held in Auckland and Wellington.
EPIC NZ 2013 will be held at Langham Hotel in Auckland on May 24 from 1 pm to 5 pm followed by a Cocktail Reception and at Vodafone Centre in Te Papa in Wellington on June 13 from 1 pm to 4 pm, followed by networking.
Common platform
EPIC NZ, an acronym for Ethnic People in Commerce in New Zealand is an initiative of the Office of Ethnic Affairs of the Internal Affairs Department that aims to provide a platform for mainstream and ethnic commercial entities and businesspersons to share their successes and tap into each other’s resources for mutual benefit.
Created last year, EPIC NZ is a website owned and managed by the Office of Ethnic Affairs to enable businesses to share their wealth of expertise and experience and promote trade and other commercial opportunities.
“Since New Zealand has a wealth of migrant connections, this website allows all New Zealand businesses to access the valuable links these ethnic people and businesses possess, in order to grow and access markets outside the country. Our goal is to help grow the economy by providing businesses the right resources to harness their true potential,” a website notification said.
The website also provides information from numerous government organisations regarding laws, and policies that business people can access to get a better understanding of the key things to consider when starting and running a business in New Zealand. Its role is to connect businesses and inform them of the existing and emerging market opportunities.
Global networking
According to a media release, while the key to accessing new markets begins with the right connections, EPIC NZ helps New Zealand businesses tap into the international networks and expertise of migrant business people in New Zealand.
“New Zealand’s abundant ethnic population offers a wealth of skills, experience and global links. EPIC NZ 2013 Conference aims to forge connections between ethnic and mainstream small and medium enterprises, opening the door to a world of potential markets, investment, and expertise; creating economic and trade opportunities for New Zealand,” the media statement said.
Auckland speakers
A number of entrepreneurs, including migrant businesses, who have been successful in overseas trade, will share their experience at the Conference.
The Auckland Conference will have three sessions on Blueprints, Leading by Example and Reaching your Market. Among the key speakers are Dr Privahini Bradoo (Chief Executive, Blueoak), Tenby Powell (Founder & Executive Director, Hunter Powell Investment Partners), Christopher Luxon, Chief Executive, Air New Zealand and Tim Baxter, Country Manager, DHL Express.
Wellington leaders
The Wellington Conference will be led by Mai Chen (Managing Partners, Chen Palmer Law), Mervin Singham (Director, Office of Ethnic Affairs), Chris Lipsombe (Co-Chair, China & New Zealand Business Council) and Mitchell Pham (Managing Director, Augen Software).
For further details and registration, visit www.epicnz.co.nz
