Leading business coach Ellenor Cox was on hand to lend her expertise and guidance, while local CEO of Maverick Biosciences Ben Rogers was eager to share what he had learned from the trials of 2020.

The Exchange's Rachel Viant says some of the lingering anxiety of the economic hardship of last year made the moment possible.

"Because of last year, there was a strong sentiment in the community members and business owners that there was a bit of apprehension heading into 2021 and some where holding their breath a little bit and hoping it wouldn't be a repeat," Ms Viant said.

READ ALSO:

"We wanted to get all these business heads together in a room, provide a bit of motivation on a positive mindset and reignite that fire and passion for the business and just set some realistic goals, given we've learnt last year that not everything's guaranteed."

Around 30 business leaders were in attendance to hear the two speakers talk, something that both were eager to step up and provide after a trying year.

For Mr Rogers, the decision to make some more public moves with Maverick Biosciences, which by necessity has to remain fairly secretive about their work, was pre-empted by COVID-19.

"We made a commitment about twelve months ago that we were going to get out into the community and participate more," Mr Rogers said.

"Even if it meant putting some of the information about the business on the line."

"We're really excited about 2021, no doubt 2020 was a really tough year, we're using it as an opportunity for consolidation because we're still a growing business, we're still trying to recruit people at pace, so people knowing we exist that's going to make it a bit easier for us in the marketplace here in Dubbo."

Ms Cox, who travels often from Sydney to Dubbo in order to provide assistance, advice and leadership in her capacity as a business coach, said the optimism and positive approach that persists in the regions was great to see.

"What I've loved in the last year, and a big benefit to regional NSW because of COVID, is people realising the don't have to be working full time from metro offices, I love seeing the growth and the interest in moving to regional NSW," Ms Cox said.

"Visually, flying in almost a year to the day and seeing the rivers flowing and the dams with water in them, I can't imagine how much that helps with the attitude and the vibrancy towards 2021, it's a fresh start on lots of different levels."

"It's great to see people optimistic."

While the economy is far from out of the woods yet and there's still a number of risks ahead during the next year, she's finding a lot of reason to be in a positive mind while talking to people out in the regions.

"I do sense that once jobkeeper and jobseeker come to an end in March, it will be a hard winter for all of us, but there is this optimism out in the region that is really exciting to be a part of," Ms Cox said.

"People underestimate the quality of life and the quality of community in the regions and the robustness of intellect, the entrepreneurial spirit."

"What I find with events like this and people like the Exchange, I often see some of the most innovative and ambitious things in NSW happening in the regions."