More than 40 local business people attended the inaugural breakfast, which featured a number of guest speakers including Southern Highlands MP Peta Seaton and Illawarra Business Chamber (IBC) CEO Tim Lewis.

Mr Lewis told the gathering the IBC wanted to establish a greater presence in the Southern Highlands to let local businesses have access to business opportunities in the Illawarra.

He said the IBC had Southern Highlands Business Chamber president Terry Oakes-Ash as the local representative on the board, and that the IBC wanted to work directly with local businesses.

"We haven't had much of a face in the Highlands, but certainly this morning is an acknowledgment of our desire to change that," he said.

"We're increasing our presence and profile by having Terry (Oakes-Ash) on our board, and you'll be seeing more of the IBC in this region."

Mr Lewis said the IBC had a wide range of resources available to help grow local businesses.

"We represent the local requirements of the local hairdresser through to Blue Scope Steel," he said.

"We've got a whole bunch of resources and assistance - use us and abuse us, that's as succinctly as I can put it."

In her address Ms Seaton said she saw a great need for stronger business links between the Southern Highlands and the Illawarra in her role as Shadow Minister for the Illawarra.

"This is a historic event. We're starting to see relationships build that I think (are) very much in the interest of people in the Southern Highlands and Illawarra," Ms Seaton said.