The Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) is starting 2017 where it focused plenty of attention in 2016. The first industry breakfast of the year at the Grange Golf Club will feature an expert on Defence industry procurement. Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) NSW and ACT Defence industry advisor and advocate Belinda Ernst is visiting Wollongong on February 17 to deliver an insight into the organisation and how it can assist local busineses in accessing opportunities in the Defence sector. CDIC supports Australian industry by offering practical advice and assistance for businesses looking to work with Defence. It is staffed by business advisers able to leverage the ‘whole of government’ support available to businesses and provide expert advice in the areas such as business improvement, skills development, export and supply chains, supplier continuous improvement, defence market preparedness and defence innovation proposal submission. After breakfast Ms Ernst will provide an additional briefing and Q&A on doing business with Defence. i3net executive officer Tony Green said there was a separate registration for the session which would suit businesses new to Defence or interested in a refresher on the do's and don'ts when it comes to Defence.