GAP ‘Hidden Giants’ Summit report released

I am excited to launch the final report from Global Access Partners 8th Annual Economic Summit. The event focused on the importance of the midsize business sector to Australia’s economy.

GAP championed the mid-market for the last twenty years, and the Summit on 7-8 September brought together 123 attendees who share a common interest in seeing the midsize business sector thrive in this country.

As a group, we are committed to highlighting what we call the “hidden giants” of the Australian economy – companies that employ between 20-199 staff and turn over $10 million – $250 million in annual revenue.

Our international guest speaker, Mr Albrecht von der Hagen, the Chairman of Die Familienunternehmer, the German Association of Family-Owned Businesses, offered his perspective from a nation where the ‘Mittelstand’ is the engine room of world class economic success.

Day two of the Summit saw thought leaders from the government, business and academia challenge conventional thinking to help attendees understand the sector’s complex moving parts.

While this report summarises the discussions that took place in the Legislative Assembly Chamber of NSW Parliament House, its main purpose is to steer interested participants towards practical action for change.

The recommendations are significant – previous GAP Summits have created real economic impact, including business creation, policy implementation, strategy development and research. The 2016 Summit on Spaces for Australian Innovation led to the creation of the Australian Space Initiative, which pressed for the creation of the national space agency recently announced by the Federal Government.

With your help, the delivery of the recommendations outlined in this report will see significant growth in the midsize business sector, leading to a healthier and more resilient Australian economy.

I am looking forward to being involved with as many of you as possible in moving the 2017 Summit recommendations from ideas to reality.