Stan Gregec is well aware that when it comes to business in Tauranga, a lot has changed over the last two decades.

So there won't be any magic wand waving just yet in his new role as Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec is relishing the chance to be back in Tauranga. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Stan has replaced former chief executive Dave Burnett and is looking to take the organisation forward and energise the business community.

Back in 1995, the 56-year-old first announced himself on the Tauranga business scene after opening the first NZ Trade and Enterprise office in the city.

He went on to pave a diverse career spanning government, education and private industry both locally and abroad.

His own consultancy business, an internet development manager role for the University of Auckland Business School and general manager of local manufacturer Atlantis Bathroom Style - you name it, Stan has done it.

He also fitted in a regional business adviser role with the chamber in 2011 before moving to Freemantle, Western Australia, for a little over two years.

And it is these years, while building an understanding of various technology platforms and business advice and support leadership, he believes will hold him in good stead.

Stan says: 'Twenty years ago, when I first came to Tauranga, if you were a business there was only a handful of organisations you would consider joining to get business support.

'Fast forward 20 years, and all of a sudden we have a whole new environment. It's not only the internet, but you have got lots of new types of organisations that offer something to businesses.

'The environment has changed and the challenge for the chamber is to keep up with the times, keep up with the technology, keep up with is happening in the market and constantly work out ways to show that it is still relevant and is offering something that is meaningful to businesses.”

Still settling into the role, Stan sees the chamber as being a key champion of business confidence and growth based on a solid platform of personnel and well-established events and programmes.

Though there won't be any quick fix to tackle city issues, including the reported demise of the CBD.

Instead, Stan will be out in the community hearing people's thoughts and what value the chamber offers.

He adds: 'The opportunity is to say ‘hey, everyone is in a situation these days of almost having to re-invent itself as times change'.

'So what we can do now from this solid platform is to take us more securely into the future.

'I've come in at the time where there is talk of a new airline coming into town. I think it is a good time because a lot is happening and a lot is positive.

'But we have some issues like the CBD and how we maximise that part of town.

'I don't have a game plan or set viewpoints, other than it's an exciting time. It's about energising the business environment.”