Business Support
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out business support events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the business support events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find business support events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Business Support Events Today
Join in-person Business Support events happening right now
Melbourne Public Speaking and Leadership Club
Come along to share ideas, learn together different techniques and Public Speaking, Presentation and Leadership skills. Public Speaking give you confidence and can be used as a marketing tool to attract clients and increase sales to your Business. All skills levels are welcome. People can practice Public Speaking presentations in a safe and nice environment with other members of the group.
Flinders Lane Toastmasters
Come join us and practise public speaking! All levels are welcome.
Take the first step to overcome your fears, build confidence and learn to speak with impact in a friendly, supportive and encouraging environment.
Start you public speaking journey with us now to improve your communications skills and elevate all aspects of your life.
Please arrive 10 minutes early so we can settle everyone in for a 5.30pm start. See you soon!
Melbourne AWS User Group #160 - June 2026
🎉 **Melbourne AWS User Group – June Meetup** 🎉
📅 Wednesday, 24 June
📍 NAB Events Hub – 395 Bourke Street, Melbourne
⏰ Food at 6:00 pm, talks from 6:30 pm (with live stream)
Join us for our June meetup, featuring two lightning talks and a full technical presentation covering community contribution, generative AI, and cloud-native security.
This month also celebrates the AWS community speaking journey. Sanjana Kailash will deliver her first-ever public presentation, while Bharat Wadhwa returns to present after beginning his own public speaking journey at a Melbourne AWS User Group event.
This month’s lineup features:
• **Matthew Merriel** giving a behind-the-scenes look at how the Melbourne AWS User Group’s regular “What’s New in AWS” segment is prepared—and how other volunteers can get involved.
• **Sanjana Kailash** making her first-ever public presentation, demonstrating an automated market-intelligence pipeline built with Amazon Bedrock, retrieval-augmented generation, and AWS-native services.
• **Bharat Wadhwa** presenting a cloud-native approach to malware protection for Amazon S3 using Amazon GuardDuty Malware Protection. Bharat also gave his first public presentation at a Melbourne AWS User Group event, making this a great example of where taking that first step can lead.
A huge thank you to our sponsors: 🥇 Mantel Group – Gold Sponsor, 🥈 Cevo – Silver Sponsor, 🏛 NAB – Venue Sponsor
The event will also be live-streamed on YouTube:
👉 [https://melb.awsug.org.au/live](https://melb.awsug.org.au/live)
***
🗓️ **Agenda**
6:00 pm – Food & Socialising
6:30 pm – Introductions
6:40 pm – What’s New in AWS
6:55 pm – Preparing the “What’s New in AWS” Segment (Level 100); Speaker: Matthew Merriel
7:10 pm – RAG to Riches: AI-Powered Market Intelligence on Amazon Bedrock (Level 200); Speaker: Sanjana Kailash
7:25 pm – Intelligent Malware Protection Using AWS GuardDuty (Level 200); Speaker: Bharat Wadhwa
7:55 pm – Marketplace (Who’s Hiring)
8:00 pm – Networking + Close
***
🎤 **Talk Details**
**Preparing the “What’s New in AWS” Segment**
Speaker: Matthew Merriel
Level: 100
Format: Lightning Talk
“What’s New in AWS” is a regular part of Melbourne AWS User Group meetups—but how is the segment put together?
Matthew will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the process used to find, shortlist, and prepare recent AWS announcements for presentation at the meetup.
This session is designed to help volunteers understand what is involved and make it easier for more community members to take on the segment at future events. No previous speaking experience is required.
***
**RAG to Riches: AI-Powered Market Intelligence on Amazon Bedrock**
Speaker: Sanjana Kailash
Level: 200
Format: Lightning Talk
What if a strategy team never had to manually scan more than 50 data sources again?
In this lightning talk, Sanjana will walk through how she built a fully automated AI-powered market-intelligence pipeline using Amazon Bedrock, retrieval-augmented generation, and AWS-native services.
The solution transforms more than five hours of Monday-morning manual research into a polished briefing delivered directly to inboxes—with no manual effort required.
This will also be Sanjana’s first public presentation, and we’re excited to welcome another new speaker to the Melbourne AWS community.
***
**Intelligent Malware Protection Using AWS GuardDuty**
Speaker: Bharat Wadhwa
Level: 200
Format: Full Presentation
This presentation showcases a cloud-native malware-protection solution for Amazon S3 using Amazon GuardDuty Malware Protection.
The solution replaces legacy antivirus approaches with intelligent, event-driven malware detection and automated security workflows.
Bharat will explore how this approach can improve scalability, operational efficiency, and security visibility across AWS environments.
Bharat also began his public speaking journey at a Melbourne AWS User Group event and now returns with a full technical presentation.
***
🙌 Could This Be the Start of Your Speaking Journey?
This month, Sanjana will take the stage for her first-ever public presentation. Bharat also began his speaking journey at a Melbourne AWS User Group meetup and is now returning with a full technical session.
Every experienced speaker started with a first talk.
Whether you have an idea for a full presentation, a lightning talk, or would like to help prepare and present the “What’s New in AWS” segment, the organisers are happy to help you take that first step.
Speak to us at the meetup or submit an idea through our website:
👉 [https://melb.awsug.org.au/speak/](https://melb.awsug.org.au/speak/)
(In-Person) Savings with AI-Assisted Performance Testing
Dear STAG members,
We are back with **🚀STAG In-Person Meetup!**
**Topic: Calculating the Savings with AI-Assisted Performance Testing Using LoadMagic and JMeter**
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the way performance testing is performed, but how much time and cost can it actually save?
Join us for an engaging and practical session with **[Renard Vardy](https://www.linkedin.com/in/renard-vardy/)**[ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/renard-vardy/)as we explore how AI-assisted automation can dramatically reduce the effort and technical complexity involved in creating and maintaining JMeter performance test scripts.
In this session, Renard will demonstrate how **LoadMagic** can automatically correlate a JMeter script, showcasing how AI-assisted scripting can simplify and accelerate this process through a live demonstration.
📅 **Date:** Wednesday, 24 June 2026
🕕 **Event** **Time:** 5.30 PM - 7.30 PM
🕕 **Speaker** **Time:** 6 PM - 7 PM
📍 **Format:** **In-Person Meetup**
📍**Venue**: Level 3, 271 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
**Thanks to our Event Sponsor : [Easygo](https://easygo.io/)**
287 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
***Food & drinks will be provided.***
🤝 **Networking** before and after the event.
Join us from **5:30 PM** for pre-event networking and stay after the session until approximately **7:30 PM** to connect with fellow testing professionals.
**About the Speaker – Renard Vardy**
Renard Vardy is a highly experienced Software Quality and Performance Testing specialist with more than 25 years of industry experience helping organisations improve the reliability, scalability, and performance of critical software systems. Throughout his career, he has worked across government, enterprise, and large-scale digital transformation programs, with a strong focus on Performance Engineering, Test Automation, and emerging AI-driven testing practices.
[https://www.linkedin.com/in/renard-vardy/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/renard-vardy/)
If you need any further info, please email at [stag@test-fast.com.](http://stag@test-fast.com./)
Join [STAG mailing list](https://test-fast.com/community/stag/membership-for-stag) to not miss any notification & also join the [STAG premium membership](https://test-fast.com/community/stag/premium-membership-for-stag-members) today and unlock a world of exclusive benefits designed to propel your career in software test automation to new heights. [Sign up now](https://test-fast.com/community/stag/premium-membership-for-stag-members) and take advantage!
Also, join us on:
[Subscribe STAG on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRu6aED3NQbkBW5SxfAF_Lg) (for recordings)
[Follow STAG LinkedIn Page](https://bit.ly/3x4mWog)
[STAG LinkedIn Group](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6967675/)
STAG [WhatsApp channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VagLSlQDTkKBtPYfCi1W)
We look forward to seeing you there and making this event a memorable and valuable experience for everyone.
**Why Attend?**
* **Networking Opportunities**: Meet and interact with like-minded professionals in the software test automation field.
* **Knowledge Sharing**: Engage in insightful discussions and share your experiences and challenges.
* **Collaboration**: Discover potential collaborations and partnerships within the community.
Thanks & Regards,
**STAG**
*{Empowering Test Automation}*
50+ Filmmakers/Actors Gather Every Wednesday - Join Us!
Join us every **Wednesday at 5 PM** at the Emporium food court (located behind Grill’d Burger Restaurant in the CBD, not near Melbourne Station) for a dynamic networking event tailored for filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts. Afterward, we continue the evening with Happy Hour drinks at a nearby bar and a chance to grab dinner together. Understanding that schedules vary, feel free to join at any time that suits you. Rain or shine, our community has gathered every week for the past year, maintaining a consistent and welcoming environment.
Our group has grown remarkably, with a **weekly turnout of over 50 participants**, blending newcomers with regulars to create a vibrant, diverse community. Feel free to bring friends interested in filmmaking; it’s a great way to introduce new faces to our expanding network.
Whether you’re a writer, actor, animator, or independent filmmaker, come share your experiences, discuss current projects, or chat about favorite films. This event fosters connections among like-minded individuals, encourages friendships, and opens doors for collaboration.
At **7 PM**, we move to The Carlton Club, a five-minute walk away, where we continue networking in a more formal rooftop setting over drinks and food. This change of venue offers an ideal environment to keep conversations flowing.
**RSVP** to help us gauge attendance and become part of a growing network of film professionals and enthusiasts. Though the event begins in the afternoon, the relationships you build here can last well into the night and beyond.
**What to Expect:**
*Our Wednesday meetup is primarily a large networking event for industry professionals. There’s no set theme, workshop, or speaker. It’s a relaxed gathering where filmmakers, actors, and creatives can connect, discuss projects, share needs, and learn from each other. Conversations flow freely around the table, fostering an environment of growth and camaraderie. Beyond Wednesdays, we also host exclusive events such as table reads, cinematography workshops with Panasonic, member screenings, and more. Each week brings fresh dialogues—some participants discuss their weekend shoots, others exchange insights with seasoned producers and directors, and a few engage in filmmaking exercises. It’s a space designed for creative engagement without strict structure or formal oversight.*
*Note: Our community emphasizes collaboration, friendship, and goodwill rather than promotional activities. If you wish to promote a workshop, course, screening, or similar event, please contact the organizers first. Promotional privileges are generally reserved for trusted, long-standing members.
Who wants to be a f***ing leader?
Since 2019 Amir and David have been catching up for what they term 'shit sandwiches', exchanging professional and personal trials and successes, sharing sympathy and occasional advice. Should I leave my job; how do I handle a difficult report; how do I get buy in; and do you know a good osteo you could recommend, my back is killing me.
They’ve have turned our catch up sessions into a live, high stakes gameshow for the product community's amusement.
They will be borrowing from the 'who wants to be a millionaire format' and we will share stories that will hopefully inspire people to step up and lead (when required) in this messy and uncertain world we find ourselves in.
Get ready to have some fun and hopefully learn a thing or two.
Our Speakers:
Amir Ansari: With over 25 years’ of experience in the field of design and design leadership, Amir has worked across the private and public sectors, in-house and agency, managing design practitioners and leaders to build long-lasting and impactful products and services. Amir is passionate about democratising the craft of design and sharing my learnings - doing it with a smile and a hug.
David Bacon: After graduating from Monash with a Bachelor of Science, David worked as a penguin keeper in England which somehow lead to a career spanning marketing, behaviour change, innovation and human-centred design. David has experience delivering digital products and services in financial services, healthcare, retail, government. He has the goal of weaving humanity into technology. He still dreams about penguins.
Business Support Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Friday After Work Drinks & Networking at El Sabor 🍺😊
* Join us for an evening of professional networking and valuable insights at our Entrepreneur & **Small Business Networking Mixer**. Connect with fellow small business owners, entrepreneurs, and like-minded professionals to share business strategies and exchange ideas for startup success with a drink.
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* We have carved a deal with the restaurant of 10% Discount of all Menu items & drinks if you mention the staff "**Friday Business Meetup Deal**"
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* We will delve into the power of integrating feminine wisdom with masculine energy for enhanced business strategies and entrepreneurial success. Discover the importance of positive human collisions in fostering innovation and growth, while expanding your network in a dynamic and supportive environment.
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* Don't miss this opportunity to meet new contacts, exchange knowledge, and take yourself to the next level!
*
* **About Host:** Host of the event Sash (Sachin) is qualified accountant in practice. Mostly he is present in the event but it is subject to his prior commitment. However everybody is still invited to chat & socialise whether he is present or not. The place is a platform for everyone to gather,meet & help each other.
*
* **Address & Timings :** from **6-8 PM** at **500 Victoria Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051 (This event will be on every Friday same time same day unless otherwise advised)**
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* Join us to meet new friends, hang out and have some laughs. New people are always welcome 😊🍺🍺
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* Come along to meet new people and see the familiar faces of the regular members. This is a regular weekly group for socialising and unwinding for the weekend.
*
* **Liability Waiver:**
The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your safety and well-being.
Social in Port Phillip/Bayside - Dinner Sons Of Mary
Once a month Elni hosts our Port Phillip and Bayside socials.
It’s a great opportunity to meet others. Our emphasis is on fun and enjoying each other’s company whilst supporting anyone who might need it. We each pay for our own food and drinks.
This time, we’ll meet for dinner at Sons of Mary, a lovely place with a relaxed, elegant vibe. It’s a cosy spot with great service and a warm atmosphere — perfect for a friendly dinner and good conversations.
We’d appreciate it if you could update your RSVP the day before so we can provide an exact headcount for the reservation.
The table is booked under the name Elni.
We hope to see you!
Networking Drinks for Builders & Doers
**🍻 The Entrepreneur Club – Last Friday of the Month Drinks**
**Not your average knock-off drinks.**
Join us for a monthly gathering of entrepreneurs, builders, creatives, and self-starters who believe business is more than just work, it’s a personal growth journey. Whether you're scaling something or just starting out, this is a space to meet others who think like you do.
**💬 What to Expect**
✅ Real convos with people building something
✅ A place to bounce ideas, swap challenges, and share wins
✅ Opportunities to give value and get it in return
✅ Chill vibes, no pitches, just smart people in good company
You don’t need a title or a polished pitch, just curiosity and the willingness to connect.
**🗓 Format**
**6:30pm** – Arrive, grab a drink, join a convo
**8:30pm** – We wrap, or roll on elsewhere
📍 **The Oxford Scholar**
We take over a corner of the bar (Back Bar or Atrium), look for the crew with ideas in one hand and a drink in the other.
**🎯 This is for you if**
* You want more entrepreneurial people in your life
* You’re building something, or want to be
* You care about growth, not just small talk
Bring a question. Bring a challenge. Bring your curiosity. Last Friday of every month. Let’s make it count.
End-of-week hot chocolate social and friend-making event
Winter in Melbourne calls for one thing: wrapping your hands around a hot chocolate (or another warm beverage of your choice) 🍫☕
There's something about the cold that makes you want to slow down, find a warm seat, and connect with people in a cosy setting. And that's exactly what we're doing.
Join us for an end-of-week wind-down— good conversations, warm drinks, and maybe a little sweet treat or two. A casual, intimate catch-up for women in Melbourne who want to connect in the most genuine, low-key way possible.
TechWalking - Networking Event for Tech Professionals
**"TechWalking" - Networking + Walking**
Are you a tech professional looking to network beyond the screen? Look no further than my upcoming #TechWalking event!
Join us for a refreshing walk around the scenic Albert Park Lake. It’s the perfect chance to connect with industry peers while getting in some steps!
I know many of you have been tuning in to my online events, but we've never had the opportunity to meet in person. Let's change that!
Check out the video from the last event: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/b4skv1sF-vY
We'll kick things off at **10 am sharp** at the Albert Park Fitness Station. Please, don't be late! We're hitting the trail around the lake as soon as we gather. And trust me, you won't want to miss it – unless you're up for a bit of a sprint to catch up! (we're going anti-clockwise)
This event is pet and kid-friendly, as long as your little ones and furry friends can manage a 5 km walk, they're more than welcome to join.
Looking forward to meeting you all in real life!
Join the TechWalking group on LinkedIn! [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14477058/](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14477058/)
**TechWalking Community page: [https://tech-walking.yanamartens.com/](https://tech-walking.yanamartens.com/)**
\*\*\*
Follow me on LinkedIn for more information: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yana-martens/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yana-martens/)
Just moved to Australia? Grab your FREE guide to land your tech job! [https://yanamartens.com/first-tech-job-in-australia/](https://yanamartens.com/first-tech-job-in-australia/)
Subscribe to YouTube Channel: [https://www.youtube.com/@ITCareerinAustralia](https://www.youtube.com/@ITCareerinAustralia)
BeSocial. Coffee & New Friends
Join us for a relaxed and welcoming “Coffee & New Friends” meetup, the perfect opportunity to unwind, enjoy a great cup of coffee, go for a walk and connect with new people in a friendly, low-pressure environment. Whether you’re looking to expand your social circle, have meaningful conversations, or simply get out of the house, this is a space where everyone is welcome. Come as you are, grab a drink, come for a walk and leave with new connections.
**Event photography and videography may take place at this event. Images and footage captured may be used in future BeSocial promotional materials.**
**If you do not wish to appear in promotional materials, please notify Nexaro Group Pty Ltd before the event by emailing support@besocialapp.co, or let the event hosts know on the day.**
Business Support Events Near You
Connect with your local Business Support community
Networking Night
Free monthly networking for Columbus business owners. Real conversations, real connections, no forced formats. Space is limited. RSVP now.
Most owners leave networking events with a stack of business cards and no plan. The best leads quietly slip through the cracks.
Networking Night is a monthly meetup for Columbus business owners who want to build real local relationships, not just trade contact info. Every kind of local business welcome. No pitch round, no pressure, no awkward speed-networking.
**This month**
We are focused on referral relationships. Walk in with a clear idea of who refers people like you. Walk out having met a few owners whose work fits next to yours.
**What to expect**
Doors open at 6 PM. You get real conversation with other local owners, time to actually connect, and a short marketing lesson woven in. The room is reserved through 7:30 PM.
**Who this is for**
Any local business owner who wants to grow through relationships, not just paid ads. Service businesses, retail, home services, professional services, online owners building local presence, anyone serious about being part of the Columbus business community.
**Not the right fit if**
You are here to pitch the room or recruit for an MLM.
**Details**
* Last Thursday of every month
* 6:00 to 7:30 PM
* COhatch Easton
* Free to attend, RSVP required, space is limited
**About the host**
Rita Suzanne is a local marketing strategist and the founder of Local Marketing Method. She runs Visibility is Profitability, the membership where local owners build the system that keeps their phone ringing, including tracking the referral relationships built in rooms like this one. Learn more at learnlocalmarketing.com.
Register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-marketing-networking-night-tickets-1988510112275](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-marketing-networking-night-tickets-1988510112275)
Columbus Turn Forecasts into Income
📊 **Profit from Predictions – Polymarket Strategy**
Stop guessing on Polymarket. Learn the analytical system that generates real profit.
⚠️ Complete registration below — RSVP alone doesn't reserve your spot.
### [🔗 CLAIM YOUR SPOT](https://aiventurelab.org/product/Polymarket?city=Columbus&groupurlname=network-of-book-lovers-and-discussion-meetups&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-30T22:00:00Z)
---
What you'll learn:
- A systematic approach to forecasting outcomes
- How to identify high-value markets before the crowd
- Polymarket strategies that generate consistent daily profit
*The forecasters who win have a system. Get yours.* 🎯
Lewis Center Networking Lunch
Join us for lunch and meet our very successful group. We are each others sales team...always looking for referrals for our members. If you are looking for new clients, let us help you out! Bring your business cards and brochures to share with us.
We have a speaker each week so that we can learn about their business.
Because we have only one member per business, we have many of the spots filled. However, we are specifically looking for an estate attorney, a handyman/electrician, and an event planner. We have referrals for you!
All visitors are welcome. Any questions contact [pmarchio@farmersagent.com](mailto:pmarchio@farmersagent.com)
Grow your business by connecting with the right people
Come and grow your business by meeting these other business professionals. We can help you expand your customers.
Evolve Elevate (Virtual)
Evolve is all about creating an Authentic Community, Deeper Connections, and Confident Growth. We are a group of entrepreneurial women who connect personally and professionally. We welcome every guest to experience our authentic community with no cliques and no judgment. Come as you are! There's a seat waiting for you.
Elevate is an action-oriented connection experience designed to help women entrepreneurs move beyond surface-level networking and into meaningful growth, collaboration, and courageous action. Each session centers around a focused business or personal development topic, followed by intentional breakout discussions that encourage deeper conversations, real relationship-building, and practical next steps.
Unlike traditional networking events, Elevate is designed to create momentum. Women are encouraged not only to share ideas, but to actively support one another through accountability, collaboration, brainstorming, and action-based growth. Every meeting is an opportunity to build authentic connections, gain fresh perspective, and leave with a clear action step to implement before the next session.
This is a space where women rise together — not through competition or hustle culture, but through encouragement, courage, consistency, and intentional community.
\*\*Evolve Women's Collective is a membership based professional women's group. You can find more information at [www.EvolveWomensCollective.com](https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.EvolveWomensNetwork.com&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0UekYvD4PoVa7WUlFFVHyp). Feel welcome to be our guest anytime!
[Join the Call](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://zoom.us/j/7894682064&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw127u1EMKvrsjTOPRaLUJ51)
Columbus AI eCommerce Blueprint Session
🛒 **AI Store on Autopilot – eCommerce Blueprint**
Let AI handle product research, ads, and fulfilment while you scale.
⚠️ RSVP won't hold your spot. Complete registration via the link below.
### [🔗 REGISTER NOW](https://aiventurelab.org/product/AIEcommerce?city=Columbus&groupurlname=network-of-book-lovers-and-discussion-meetups&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-30T22:00:00Z)
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What you'll build:
- A store setup strategy that cuts setup time in half
- Passive income streams you can scale fast
- A repeatable blueprint that works from day one
*Your automated store. Running 24/7.* 🛒



















