Supply Nation’s annual event, Connect, serves as a platform to foster opportunities and celebrate the success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. The Local Buying Foundation, a Silver Sponsor of the event, engaged in discussions focused on improving Indigenous business growth and sustainability. The Knowledge Forum and Tradeshow provided key insights into contemporary approaches for supporting these businesses, with opportunities to discuss programs like the Local Buying Program, LBF, and Trading Tracks.

Key outcomes included a deeper understanding of both the opportunities and barriers faced by Indigenous businesses, as well as the importance of building strong connections with organisations that support their growth. By raising awareness of LBF, LBP, and Trading Tracks, and emphasising cultural safety in procurement practices, the event highlighted the role of C-Res, working with BHP’s Indigenous Procurement Team, to strengthen support for Indigenous businesses in Queensland and Western Australia’s Iron Ore operations (WAIO).

Collaborating with partners like IMG and Marabisda, the focus is on capability building to ensure long-term, sustainable outcomes for Indigenous businesses across these regions.