Supply Nation has announced its Indigenous Business Trade Fairs have been scheduled for Tarntanya (Adelaide) and Naarm (Melbourne) early in the new year.
Commencing in Adelaide on 17 February, the Trade Fair will then move to Melbourne on 19 February. The roadshow follows an “extremely successful” Meanjin (Brisbane) Trade Fair held last month.
It’s expected that each location will attract over 80 Indigenous-owned businesses presenting their products and services to buyers from corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors.
Indigenous-owned businesses are said to be active across all sectors of the economy and are contributing to jobs growth, innovation and positive economic and social change. The Trade Fairs will host businesses representing food and beverages, information technology and cybersecurity, construction and civil engineering, recruitment services, fashion and beauty, office supplies and transport services, to name a few.
“Trade Fairs remain a mainstay of the practical services we can offer to support Indigenous-owned businesses, and it’s important we provide this opportunity outside of our major Connect event held in August each year,” says Supply Nation CEO Kate Russell.
“Face-to-face yarns and business discussions build trust and strong relationships – the key ingredients to successful and long-term sustainable commercial partnerships.”
Supply Nation’s recently released report, ‘The sleeping giant rises’, found that for every dollar of revenue produced by Indigenous-owned businesses, $3.66 of positive economic and social value was generated into the Australian economy.
Social value refers to the positive changes seen through an Indigenous lens of wellbeing. This value includes improved agency and control over life, expanded aspirations, financial security, pride, physical health and mental wellbeing and stronger connections to community, culture and country.
In the 2024-25 financial year, Supply Nation’s corporate, government and not-for-profit members achieved a new national milestone, recording a total of over $5.83 billion in procurement spend with Indigenous-owned businesses.
Supply Nation’s annual flagship event Connect will next be held on the lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation in Boorloo (Perth). Connect 2026 will take place on 11 and 12 August at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
