The Mornington Peninsula Small Business Festival is offering free and low-cost workshops throughout August for local business owners, sole traders and start-ups.
The month-long program runs from 5 to 31 August. It covers marketing, social media, finance, artificial intelligence, energy costs, networking and workplace compliance.
Mornington Peninsula Shire says the festival aims to support businesses through practical training, professional development and new connections.
The festival opened on Wednesday 5 August with the sold-out B.I.T.E Conference in Mornington. Two other sessions have also sold out. However, registrations remain open for most of the August program.
Mornington Peninsula Small Business Festival Continues Across August
Events will take place in Mornington, Rosebud, Dromana, Hastings, Flinders and Safety Beach. Several online workshops are also available.
While some sessions target Mornington Peninsula businesses, most remain open to businesses from other areas.
Here are some of the events that may provide practical value for local business owners.
Marketing and Social Media Workshops
Businesses reviewing their marketing can attend Strategic Marketing for Business Growth in Rosebud on Tuesday 11 August.
The workshop will help owners identify which marketing activities deserve their time and money. Participants will also develop an action plan linked to measurable business goals.
Tickets cost $25, with two-for-one tickets available.
The 2026 Facebook and Instagram Content Playbook will run in Dromana on Wednesday 12 August.
The workshop targets sole traders and small businesses that manage their own social media. It will cover content planning, repurposing posts and creating a 30-day content plan.
Tickets cost $25.
Mornington will host Get More Marketing for Less on Friday 14 August.
This workshop will help owners review their existing marketing and identify opportunities to improve results without increasing costs.
Tickets cost $25, with a two-for-one option available.
Businesses interested in short-form video can attend Social Media Reels in Hastings on Tuesday 18 August.
The session will cover filming, editing and creating videos for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Tickets cost $25.
A second Hastings workshop, Social Media Stories, will run on Wednesday 26 August.
That session will focus on creating temporary social media content to engage audiences and promote products, services and events. Tickets also cost $25.
AI Workshops for Tourism and Small Business
Tourism operators can attend AI for Tourism 101 at Flinders Civic Hall on Thursday 13 August.
The practical session targets accommodation providers, attractions and other visitor-economy businesses. It will examine how operators can use AI while maintaining their existing brand voice.
Tickets cost $35 for Beyond the Bays Tourism members and $75 for non-members.
Meanwhile, a free online workshop will provide a broader introduction to artificial intelligence.
AI for Small Business: Where to Start and How to Save Time will run on Wednesday 19 August.
The webinar targets owners who want to use AI for everyday business tasks but do not know where to begin.
Energy Costs and Business Planning
Businesses reviewing their power bills can join the free Solar and Batteries for Businesses webinar on Monday 10 August.
The session will cover available government rebates, potential savings and the steps required to assess solar or battery systems.
Both tenants and property owners can attend.
Established business owners can also apply for the free Business Reset and Profit Focus workshop in Mornington on Monday 17 August.
Organisers have limited the full-day workshop to 12 participants. Attendees will examine business performance, identify profit opportunities and prepare a 90-day action plan.
Later in the month, businesses can join the free Electrifying Local Businesses webinar on Monday 24 August.
The session will examine ways businesses can move towards electric equipment and reduce their reliance on gas.
Finance and Insurance Workshops
Business owners seeking finance can attend Understanding Business Finance: What Banks Look for and How to Prepare online on Monday 17 August.
The free webinar will explain how lenders assess businesses and what owners can do before lodging an application.
A separate session will address insurance pressures.
Rising Insurance Costs: How to Protect Your Small Business will take place in Mornington on Monday 24 August.
The free workshop will cover rising premiums, possible gaps in cover and key-person insurance.
On Tuesday 25 August, Mornington will host Understanding Your Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow.
The free workshop will help owners better understand financial reports and use them when making business decisions.
Finally, Get Finance-Ready: How to Position Your Business so Banks Say Yes will close the festival on Monday 31 August.
The free Mornington workshop will focus on preparing businesses before they approach lenders.
Networking and Employment Compliance
The Peninsula Business Network will hold a Speed Dating Networking Evening at Safety Beach Sailing Club on Wednesday 12 August.
Participants will take part in short, structured conversations with other local business owners and professionals.
Tickets cost $40 for network members and $50 for non-members.
Employers can also attend HR Compliance Made Simple: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know in Mornington on Friday 28 August.
The free workshop will cover workplace obligations and common compliance issues facing small businesses.
Registrations Remain Open
Prices and availability may change as sessions reach capacity.
Business owners should check each event page for eligibility requirements, locations, times and booking information before registering.
The complete schedule is available through the Mornington Peninsula Small Business Festival program.
Readers can also follow STPL News’ latest local business coverage for further updates.
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