The Pavilion hosted more than 80 creatives when they gathered for Kiama’s first Creative Business Summit, a one-day event designed to inspire, inform and empower those working in the creative industries.

Hosted by local creative business mentor Emma Veiga-Malta, last week’s conference drew participants from across the South Coast and beyond.

While 80 per cent of attendees came from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, visitors also travelled from Sydney, Melbourne, the Sunshine Coast, Mudgee, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast - all of whom stayed and dined locally, delivering an immediate boost to Kiama’s visitor economy.

The event’s diverse line-up of speakers provided insights tailored to the unique challenges of creative entrepreneurs.

Veiga-Malta hosted and shared her Creative Confidence thoughts on impediments as a creative such as comparisonitis, impostor syndrome, perfectionism and fear of rejection or failure. She encouraged all to create a NEW story for ourselves.

Justine Mclean addressed the often-overlooked topic of money management for creatives, reminding the audience that while artistry may be their strength, financial confidence is essential for sustainability.

Leanne O’Sullivan shared strategies for building a digital presence without losing creative spark, with practical advice on how to ensure work is seen, supported and sold.

Louise Croker, executive director of South Coast Arts explored ways to unlock creative potential, including tools for rethinking approaches to grant applications, which face an 80–85 per cent failure rate.

The forward-looking session with Antony Snape and Belinda Brooks examined The Age of AI, co-presented with “Luna,” an AI collaborator.

He reminded attendees that “creative industries aren’t being destroyed, they’re being redistributed,” emphasising the opportunities for those who learn to harness new tools.

Brooks added that in an era of automation, human connection remains paramount: “AI can write a poem, but it can’t know what it means to hold your grandmother’s hand while she tells you her final story.”

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Comments ranged from “SO. DAMN. GOOD” to “By far the best event I have ever attended.”

Attendees praised the calibre of the speakers, noting their key takeaway was the importance of treating creative practice as a professional pursuit and well worth attending to challenge the status quo of creative thinking.

Veiga-Malta, who has spent more than 25 years as a practising artist and designer, said the aim of the summit was to challenge the “starving artist” mentality and equip creatives with practical tools to build sustainable, joyful businesses.

“Life and business as a creative need to feel good,” she said.

“Happiness is a core value of mine, and I want to show others how to create a lifestyle business that supports their creativity - not drains it.”

With strong attendance and great reviews, plans are already underway for the 2026 Creative Business Summit, set for Thursday 30 July at The Pavilion, Kiama. Early bird tickets are on sale now via www.thecreativebusinesssummit.com.