Spark Lab, a free innovation and ideas workshop, will be coming to Tauranga this Thursday – the second stop on a tour of New Zealand.

It will be the second stop on the workshops New Zealand tour and will give both well-established business people and those just starting out the opportunity to learn from leading New Zealand and international entrepreneurs, innovators and creative thinkers.

Social media guru Wendy Thompson will be one of the speakers at Spark Lab in Tauranga next Thursday 6 October.

Spark's Head of Business Customer and Marketing, Richard Sandford, says the company is thrilled to be bringing three events to the region.

'We all know Tauranga has a very strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, is fast becoming a key innovation centre for New Zealand, and has an ever increasingly important role to play in the future of New Zealand's economy.

'To help unleash the potential of businesses within this fast-growing region, we've brought together three speakers and events designed to tackle some of the key issues we know businesses come up against as they embrace innovation and look to the future.”

Executive leader, and recently appointed head of Eurofins Bay of Plenty, Tina Jennen will be among those who will be speaking. With her commitment to, and understanding of, the region, and a wealth of executive experience, Jennen will share how businesses can use leadership to create value.

Colart Miles, co-founder of Velox Innovation, will also be presenting. Drawing on extensive experience in helping companies become more effective and nimble, Miles will share how local businesses can capitalize on new opportunities and ‘change the game' within their industries.

Joining Miles and Jennen, Socialites founder and social media marketing guru Wendy Thompson will run a Q&A session whereby local business people can have their social media questions answered with tailored expert advice.

There are both breakfast and after-work events to suit busy schedules. Many of the events will be livestreamed and all will be free and open for anyone to attend, although spaces will be limited. Those interested can register at sparklabseries.co.nz.