The Business Hawke's Bay Reference Group met at the Hawke's Bay Opera House in Hastings to discuss the future of Hawke's Bay's economy.
More than 60 people from 39 Hawke's Bay organisations, government departments and councils on Thursday voted on projects for BHB to focus on.
The reference group meets at least twice a year to ensure alignment of tasks and reduce overlaps between interested groups involved in the economic future of Hawke's Bay.
The forum is designed to reveal any gaps that should be addressed by Business Hawke's Bay or other organisations, as well as to mutually share information and requirements, in regards to regional economic activities or interventions.
Business Hawke's Bay CEO Murray Douglas said the reference group was acknowledgement of Business Hawke's Bay's inclusive nature. "When Business Hawke's Bay was conceived we indicated that the board would regularly consult and communicate with a range of groups and individuals who were involved in Growing the Bay. Above all it was acknowledged that Business Hawke's Bay was a collaborative process rather than an organisation acting in isolation.
"Equally Business Hawke's Bay cannot be expected to be all things to all people, but it can be committed to action, not just talking about action."
Mr Douglas said there will be another meeting in six months time "to see what has happened with those projects".
He said there was the possibility of feeding into the review of the regional economic strategy.
BHB was not about talking but doing "and this helps feed into that process", Mr Douglas said.
"It was interesting that [the mooted project] One Council One Voice only got six votes. At the end of the day the business community are not that fussed about the structure, but what it does."
Goals of Reference Group Meeting
Reference Group Project Recommendations