The funding follows grants of more than $220,000 from the Bracks Government to help eighteen industry groups, business cooperatives and local councils across Victoria to run their own eCommerce Roadshow events.

Ms Thomson said the eCommerce Roadshow Program was designed to increase the awareness and uptake of eBusiness among small to medium enterprises (SMEs) throughout Victoria.

"More than 60 eCommerce Roadshows have been run since the program was launched in June 2002 and more than 1,400 businesses participated in these events," she said.

"An independent evaluation of the program revealed that nearly half of Roadshow participants had since implemented an eCommerce strategy - which is a remarkable result."

Ms Thomson said the target audience for the extended program included businesses slow to adopt new technology, but would also target the specific needs and capabilities of particular industries.

"There is a strong correlation between the employment size of a business and the likelihood that the business is using IT - the smaller the business the less likely it is to make use of IT.

"We have funded a mix of industry associations, local councils and business networks targeting a variety of SMEs including accommodation and tourism operators, manufacturers, home-based businesses, exporters, the plumbing industry sector, medical practitioners, women involved in farming and winery operators.  

Ms Thomson said the Bracks Government had committed well over $600,000 to the eCommerce Roadshow Program as part of the Connecting Victoria strategy.

The events will be held in Bendigo, Mildura, Swan Hill, Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Korrumburra and Horsham.  Click Here to download a registration form.

A new forum has been scheduled for Lorne on August 16, 2005. Click here to download a copy of the registration form.

For further information about the roadshows visit www.mmv.vic.gov.au/roadshow or contact Ms Celia Himmelreich, Project Manager, ICT Industry Policy and eBusiness, Multimedia Victoria on 9651 9868.