Wow, have we got an event for you; please join us for a panel of speakers from the City of Melbourne!

Esther Frost (City of Melbourne - City Activity and Data Lead) will present how you can use CoM's data to influence your business decisions.

Esther and her team deliver the Melbourne Economy Snapshot which is a free seasonal activity guide that reveals where people spend their time and money in Australia's most liveable city, and events capital of the nation.

Hear about:

· The recent Economy Snapshot

· Pedestrian activity and spend analysis from your precinct

· Shopfront audit analysis for the City of Melbourne and the City Precinct

The snapshot is designed to help businesses work smarter, make more data-led decisions and potentially boost their business offering. Explore weekday, weekend and night-time activity to align your opening hours, rosters and services to new city trends. During the event she will share key insights on which are the busiest days and times for commuters; which demographic groups are driving spend and how businesses can and are responding to these changing trends.

Then join Gemma Baxter (City of Melbourne - Pilot and Trial Lead (Acting) and Mike Rowell (City of Melbourne - Senior Project Coordinator - City Economy).

They will share learnings from the brilliant Micro-Labs initiative as well as how CoM has reimagined the use of vacant commercial space via the CoM's Shopfront Activation program and how you can get involved in future CoM programs and initiatives.

This event will be held at Micro-Labs ​227-229 Bourke Street Melbourne.

Micro-Labs was a pilot initiative to test how to make city shopfronts more desirable, feasible and viable for businesses and people returning to our city. At this shared and flexible venue, you could collaborate, meet people, co-work, borrow and browse the library collection, host or join an event, shop and more. Technology enabled activities and the space adapted over time according to users' needs and feedback.

The Shopfront Activation Program was an initiative to transform empty shopfronts into creative spaces, bespoke displays and pop-up shops under a $2.6 million activation program delivered by the City of Melbourne and Victorian Government.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Since August 2021, the program provided opportunities to artists, budding entrepreneurs and artisan makers to occupy space to test their business ideas and help attract Melburnians back into the city.

Finger Food and beverages will be provided by City Precinct.

This is a member only event and places are limited, RSVPs are essential.

We hope to see you there!