Leading Gold Coast Small Business Advocate Launches New Venture Amidst Covid-19

A leading Gold Coast small business advocate has launched a new venture amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, designed to connect the local community.

GC Connected Markets at Broadbeach is the brainchild of Paula Brand, with the Gold Coast City Council approved weekly event promising to be a fusion of her iconic Small Business Expos and a traditional farmer’s market.

Ms Brand’s passion for markets was ignited when she had a small hobby business selling salad dressings at the local Gold Coast markets when she was 24. 

Now she has taken her love of markets to create the weekly GC Connected Markets to share her joy of connecting people and fostering a meeting place, an activity centre and a well being hub for the benefit of the Gold Coast community.

“I am so excited to offer Coast Coasters the opportunity to visit a farmer’s market during the week so they no longer need to wait until the weekend for their fresh produce,” said Ms Brand.

“Not everyone works 9am to 5pm during the week, we have many people who cannot get to the farmer’s markets on the weekend.

“Our markets are all about connections – connecting our primary producers to the home plate, connecting our community through healthy and creative activities, connecting to local small business owners who sell items for the home, children, entertainment and connecting local artists and entertainers who will share their skills and talents to a wider community.

“This is a fabulous mixed market space to bring people together of all ages – for health, fun, well being, to connect, be happy and to enjoy this wonderful park space.”

Held weekly on a Tuesday from 7am to 12pm and located at 33 Fremar Street, Broadbeach Waters at the Surfers Paradise Rugby Union Clubhouse and car park, GC Connected Markets are surrounded by the Albert Park which has dog walking trails, a lake, children’s playground, basketball courts and BBQS.

“There will be live entertainment from 9am to 12pm, active and healthy activities from 10am to 12pm and picnic mats to use to sit and relax on.

“Come for a cake and coffee, join in an active and healthy activity and pick up your essential fruit and vegetables for the week, support fresh and local!

“Dogs are not allowed onsite, but we do have a dog area with water bowls for furry friends.”

GC Connected Markets also promise to be “Covid Safe” under 500 events. with strict social distancing measures of 1.5 metres, and hand sanitisation and washing stations available within the event precinct.

No stranger to hosting large-scale events, Ms Brand’s Small Business Expos have supported small business for more than six years, connecting 20,000 businesses to generate $20 million by running large business-to-business expos in partnership with 60 sponsors, across South-East Queensland.

“Our business and jobs expos represent primarily the invisible businesses – home-based, online, mobile and micro businesses. There are approximately 25,000 of these on the Gold Coast alone,” said Ms Brand.

For a stall holder information pack, please email: paulabrand@smallbusinessexpos.com.au or phone Paula Brand: 0475 411 793.

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For more information or for interview/photo requests, please contact:

Joanne Rahn
Director
zanthii communications
Phone: 0402 148 334
Email: joanne@zanthii.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/zanthiia

Covid 19 

If, in the past fourteen (14) days:

You have been overseas;

You have been in contact with a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19;

You have been in a COVID-19 hotspot;

You have had COVID-19;

You have had symptoms consistent with COVID-19,

You will be unable to enter the Event Precinct.

If you have symptoms conducive with COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or headache), we request that you do not enter the Event Precinct.

If you present with symptoms upon entry to the Event (e.g. fever, cough, shortness of breath) you will not be able to enter the Precinct, but will be taken to a discrete isolation area for further investigation.

Additionally:

Social distancing measures of 1.5 metres between people/household groups must be maintained at all times.

Hand sanitisation stations and hand washing stations will be available within the Event Precinct and will be identified by signage around the Precinct. Patrons are encouraged to ensure that they regularly wash and/or sanitise their hands during their visit to the Precinct.

Aggression and abuse of our staff and other attendees will not be tolerated. Anyone presenting signs of aggression or becoming abusive will be removed from the Precinct.

Regular Event announcements will be conducted over the PA system to remind all attendees at the event to ensure hygiene considerations are observed.

Social Distancing Ambassadors will be employed specifically to monitor and encourage social distancing in all walkways, on exhibitor sites and in high traffic areas.

In the event that people find themselves in a queued situation at the entry point to the event venue, we ask that you practice physical distancing in your household groups of no less than 1.5 metres.

And… please – no kissing, hugging and handshakes whilst in the event precinct.

Market Management 

The market is owned and operated by Paula Brand from Small Business Expos.

We have always supported small business for over 6 years connecting 20,000 businesses to generate $20 million by running large business to business expos in partnership with 60 sponsors, across South East Queensland

Our business and jobs expos represent primarily the invisible businesses – homebased, online, mobile and micro businesses. There are approx.. 25000 of these on the Gold Coast alone. Website: www.smallbusinessexpos.com.au 

Paula Brand is the owner of the GC Connect Markets – 0475 411 793 and the owner of Small Business Expos.

Her passion for markets was ignited when she had a small hobby business selling salad dressings at the local Gold Coast Markets when she was 24. Now she has taken her love of markets to create the weekly GC Connected Markets to share her joy of connecting people and fostering a meeting place, an activity centre and a wellbeing hub for the benefit of the Gold Coast community.