Marketplace

About Marketplace


Marketplace is networking event that provides opportunities for innovative, creative and effective cross sector partnerships. This concept has been developed by Volunteering Queensland, based on a European model, to generate new ways of working across sectors in Queensland to meet the needs of our communities.

Background
The Marketplace concept originated in Holland, and has been adapted to and implemented in many parts of the world. It has been successful in Europe and an adapted version of Marketplace was implemented by the World Bank in China in 2006. History of Marketplace. This is the second time Marketplace has been conducted in Australia.

The world wide recognition of Marketplace tells us that we, as a global society, are getting serious about corporate social responsibility. Marketplace allows us to do much more than ‘tick the box’ of corporate social responsibility. It allows us to be active in our communities, to make a genuine difference and to truly touch lives in need. Through active partnerships that emphasise time and contribution rather than funding, Marketplace aims to create cross sector relationships to benefit specific groups of people in need.

The event
Marketplace is a managed speed networking event based on providing an opportunity for select Community and Not For Profit organisations to showcase their work and invite participation from government, corporate and education representatives.

There are three main phases to the event:
• Welcome address, refreshments and informal networking
• Speed networking in groups, ten minutes at each community stand
• Informal networking, thankyou address and lucky draw

The outcomes
Marketplace opens the doors between sectors. It allows for cross sector networking, innovation and, importantly, tangible outcomes for those in need in our communities. The emphasis is action rather than sponsorship or philanthropy, and the promotion of genuine engagement in our communities. The possibilities are endless, and ways of working together are often simple and easy to manage. We encourage you to think how you can work with others to make a difference in your community.

Here are some comments from previous Marketplace participants:

“Thank you so much for the fantastic opportunity to be involved with the Marketplace, I think it was a very successful night. “Well done”. I have certainly come away with lots of contacts and potential relationships.”
                                                                                  The Pyjama Foundation

“Already Radio Lollipop has benefited from the added exposure and offers made.”                                                                       Radio Lollipop

“I found it really useful to meet all the different community groups and it has definitely given me an idea of what opportunities exist for staff volunteering.”
                                                                                  SMEC Australia

If you are a Corporate, Education or Government organisation, and would like to attend Marketplace, click here.

If you are a Community or Not for Profit group or organisation and would like to attend Marketplace, click here.

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