After launching in April, stand-alone economic development body Venture Waitaki has been very busy behind the scenes.
The group's projects, which have largely been kept under wraps, will be announced for members at a meeting tomorrow night, where a new website will also be launched.
Venture Waitaki was formed after the North Otago branch of the Otago Chamber of Commerce, the Waitaki District Council and Tourism Waitaki recognised a gap locally within the economic development space.
Together, they organised two focus group sessions with a range of local business people to discuss and gather feedback.
The Venture Waitaki board, Simon Berry (chairman), Tyla Scott (secretary), Adair Craik (treasurer), Alan McLay and Dan Bregmen, was voted in earlier this year.
The board has been meeting fortnightly since, with Mr Berry describing it as ''very active''.
Venture Waitaki is independent of council and the Chamber of Commerce, but is working alongside both on key projects.
An annual subscription of $200 - about 40 members were signed up - was used as the seed funding for the organisation.
One of the group's first projects was launching a website to promote Waitaki as a great place to work, live and play, Mr Berry said.
Financial members would have a profile of their business on the site and it was hoped it would become a key marketing tool for business developments and opportunities.
He urged all members of Venture Waitaki to attend the progress meeting at Scotts Brewing Co from 5.30pm.
''It's bringing everyone up to speed on the present projects we're working on, as well as talking to members about any other suggested projects they might have.''
''It's good to be getting back together because we have been busy behind the scenes ... It'd be good to see all members attend.''
