ShireBiz

What ShireBiz does

Southern Industry Forum (formerly ShireBiz) is a member-driven, incorporated nonprofit industry advocacy body headquartered in the Sutherland Shire region of Southern Sydney, Australia. Founded in 2012/2013 and rebranded to its current name in late 2025, the organisation connects local businesses, educators, government entities, and community stakeholders through a portfolio of membership tiers and sector-specific roundtables spanning CEO, Education, Marine, Hospitality, and Health. Its core offering is structured convening rather than technology: the Forum runs exclusive roundtables with government and industry leaders, publishes 'The Brief' newsletter and content hub, and delivers the 'Industry in Action' site visit programme for early-career participants.

The Forum monetises primarily through annual membership subscriptions across four tiers: NextGen (A$75, or A$50 via partner institutions) for students and early-career professionals; Community (A$150) for individuals, educators, and small businesses; Industry (A$400) for businesses seeking active policy engagement; and Industry Partner (A$2,500) for major organisations with board representation and strategic involvement in advocacy priorities. Higher tiers include AGM voting rights, board nomination eligibility, priority access to policy discussions, and tailored collaboration on workforce and innovation initiatives. Distribution is conducted regionally through direct membership sign-up on the website, roundtable events held at venues such as Kirrawee Library+ and TAFE NSW Loftus, organic social channels (LinkedIn, Instagram), and local earned media coverage.

The technology stack is minimal and explicitly described as not applicable; there are no APIs, SDKs, or proprietary digital products. The competitive position rests on the Forum's network of named Industry Partners (including ANSTO, Britton Maritime Systems, Tynan Motors, 1300 Apprentice, The Youth Partnership, We Future Leaders, and Metro Remedial), its relationships with local government (e.g., Sutherland Shire Council), and its ability to convene senior figures such as former Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens. Operations are supported by a lean team of approximately 8 employees and a volunteer board drawn from partner organisations.

Name

ShireBiz

Legal name

Southern Industry Forum Incorporated

Website

https://shirebiz.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southern Industry Forum (formerly ShireBiz) is a member-driven nonprofit in Southern Sydney that connects local businesses, educators, and government through tiered memberships and sector-specific roundtables (CEO, Education, Marine, Hospitality, Health).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Advocacy and Membership Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAGAGAK

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Conventions & Conferences (Business Events)

SECONDARYTHAHAMAD

Customer/User Conferences & Client Advisory Boards

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Corporate Meetings & Summits

SECONDARYTHAHAMAH

Training, Enablement & Talent Development Summits

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Corporate Meetings & Summits

Keywords

• Industry advocacy services
• Membership networking
• Regional industry forums
• Workforce development programs
• Policy engagement platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Sutherland Shire

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Tiered membership model with four levels: NextGen ($75/year), Community ($150/year), Industry ($400/year), and Industry Partner ($2,500/year). Membership provides access to roundtable events, forums, networking sessions, policy engagement opportunities, and governance rights including voting at AGMs and board nomination eligibility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ShireBiz (operating as Southern Industry Forum) is a member-driven industry body that sells tiered annual memberships (NextGen, Community, Industry, Industry Partner) and convenes sector-specific roundtables (CEO, Education, Marine, Hospitality, Health) to connect local businesses with government and educators across the Sutherland Shire and Southern Sydney. Its commercial core is recurring membership subscription revenue, supplemented by exclusive access to advocacy forums, networking events, and the "The Brief" member newsletter.

Product overview

Southern Industry Forum (formerly ShireBiz) is a member-driven industry body that offers a portfolio of membership tiers (NextGen, Community, Industry, and Industry Partner) along with sector-specific roundtable programs. The organisation connects local industries with government and stakeholders through exclusive forums, advocacy initiatives, and networking events. Core offerings include CEO, Education, Marine, Hospitality, and Health roundtables, complemented by content/newsletter services like 'The Brief' and site visit programs like 'Industry in Action'.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NextGen Membership Annual membership tier designed for students and early-career professionals to explore industries, build practical understanding, and connect with leaders shaping the region's future workforce. Priced at $75/year (or $50 with partner institution sign-ups). Includes access to The Brief newsletter, Industry in Action site visits, open forums, networking sessions, eligibility for an annual Board Observer position, and NextGen spotlight opportunities.
• Community Membership Foundation annual membership tier for individuals, professionals, educators, and small businesses to stay informed and connected to regional industrial growth and innovation. Priced at $150/year. Includes invitations to selected open forums and networking sessions, regional industry news and event updates, recognition within the SIF community, feedback opportunities on Forum initiatives, and board nomination eligibility.
• Industry Membership Annual membership tier for businesses and organisations seeking an active role in shaping the regional industrial agenda. Priced at $400/year. Provides full access to Forum Roundtables with government and industry leaders, opportunities to present capability and expertise at Forum events, recognition as an Industry Member, and priority invitations to policy discussions and stakeholder briefings.
• Industry Partner Membership Premium annual membership tier reserved for major organisations playing a leadership role in regional capability, workforce development, and policy engagement. Priced at $2,500/year. Includes all Industry Member benefits plus strategic involvement in Forum direction and advocacy priorities, prominent recognition across Forum events and communications, reserved places at all Roundtables with direct engagement opportunities with government and industry representatives, feature opportunities in The Brief, and tailored collaboration on workforce, capability, and innovation initiatives.
• CEO Roundtable Cross-sector forum bringing together senior business leaders to share insights, identify challenges, and explore collaboration opportunities on strategic issues including workforce, investment, sustainability, and innovation. Access included with Industry and Industry Partner memberships.
• Education Roundtable Forum bringing together educators, employers, and community organisations to strengthen links between business and education, focusing on workforce skills development and career pathways. Access included with Industry and Industry Partner memberships.
• Marine Roundtable Industry forum for the marine sector addressing challenges including dredging, infrastructure, commercial moorings, supply chain pressures, vessel safety standards, and workforce development. Access included with Industry and Industry Partner memberships.
• Hospitality Roundtable Forum bringing together local venues, suppliers, training providers, and industry representatives to explore challenges and opportunities in the hospitality sector including workforce, skills, sustainability, and tourism. Access included with Industry and Industry Partner memberships.
• Health Roundtable Forum connecting local healthcare providers, educators, and community organisations to discuss workforce needs, innovation, and service delivery across the region. Access included with Industry and Industry Partner memberships.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ANSTOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is an Industry Partner member with board representation through Oleh Nakone. ANSTO contributes to workforce development discussions and represents the nuclear science and research sector within the Forum's activities.
• Britton Maritime SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritton Maritime Systems is an Industry Partner member and the organization of SIF Chair Samantha Britton. The company plays a leadership role in the marine sector and the Forum's governance.
• Tynan MotorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTynan Motor Group is an Industry Partner member, representing the automotive sector. Marketing Director Madeline Tynan participates in panel discussions at Forum events.
• 1300 ApprenticeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner1300 Apprentice is an Industry Partner member contributing to workforce development and training initiatives within the Forum.
• The Youth PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Youth Partnership is an Industry Partner member focused on youth employment and development initiatives, collaborating with the Forum on workforce development programs.
• Sutherland Shire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSutherland Shire Council is an Industry Member participating in Forum activities. Mayor Jack Boyd opened the Southern Industry Forum launch event, indicating strong local government support.
• Cronulla Sutherland District Rugby League Football ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCronulla Sharks (Cronulla Sutherland District Rugby League Football Club) is an Industry Member. Group CEO Dino Mezzatesta participates in Forum panel discussions on regional economic development.
• Metro RemedialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro Remedial is represented by Treasurer Jeff Forsyth on the SIF Board, contributing to financial governance of the Forum.
• We Future LeaderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWe Future Leaders is represented by Deputy Chair Darian Brooker on the SIF Board. The organization focuses on leadership development and workforce initiatives.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Australian Industry Group (Ai Group): A peak industry association representing employers across manufacturing, construction, defence, automotive and services, with member services, policy advocacy and industry forums. An incumbent analogue that delivers similar advocacy and event services to a national member base.
• Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA): A national policy forum running high-profile events, CEO roundtables and research across all major Australian industries. Comparable through its flagship CEO and sector forums and its trustee-driven model, but operating at national rather than regional scope.

Direct peers

• Business NSW (formerly NSW Business Chamber): The state-level business association for NSW, providing membership tiers, advocacy, networking events, and policy engagement to businesses across metropolitan and regional NSW. Directly comparable as a membership-and-advocacy body operating regional forums and roundtables at greater scale.
• Committee for Sydney: An independent policy and advocacy 'think-and-do tank' focused on Greater Sydney that convenes leaders through events, roundtables and policy research. Shares the Forum's emphasis on cross-sector dialogue and urban economic development within Sydney.
• Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue: A member-driven forum convening business, government and community leaders in Western Sydney around signature roundtables and advocacy initiatives. The closest direct analogue to Southern Industry Forum's operating model in an adjacent Sydney region.

Emerging players

• Property Council of Australia: A national industry association for the property and construction sector, providing advocacy, events, roundtables, and policy submissions to member firms. Comparable as a membership-and-advocacy body that runs sector-specific roundtables similar to Forum's Marine and Hospitality streams.
• Regional Australia Institute: An independent policy think tank focused on the prosperity of regional Australia, producing research, advocacy and convening events. Relevant as a regional-economy advocacy peer, though more research-led than membership-driven.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shirebiz
• Instagraminstagram.com/southernindustryforum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ShireBiz