Forget about the world being your oyster, now it's your canvas!

Canvas Careers Showcase, from Friday, August 11 to Saturday, August 12 at ASB Arena Baypark, will give students and job seekers the opportunity to talk face-to-face with real people from across the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty region.

These industries include business, tertiary institutes and community organisations, to help them figure out what exciting places their future might take them.

The Canvas Careers Showcase is a new take on the old Western Bay at Work Careers Expo. The name ‘Canvas' encourages students to treat their future like a blank canvas and explore the multitude of opportunities available. Visitors are empowered to see that they can do anything.

A key feature of this year's event is the ‘I Can Be…” inspiration stage. Through bi-hourly talks, speakers give a first-hand account of what skills are required in their field, as well as tips on getting your foot in the door. Speakers include Anton Steel, owner of Bay of Plenty Film, Alisha Staples, owner of Staples Virtual Reality and Stacey Mareroa, a top Maori commercial lawyer.

"We are excited about working alongside Rotary to launch the new Canvas brand,” says Priority One Instep manager Lyn Parlane.

'We encourage people to take the time to check out Canvas so they can explore all the possible opportunities open to them."

This year's event has an event app for visitors to connect with exhibitors, easy navigation and a schedule of what's on when. Anyone who downloads the app goes in the draw to win a Samsung Galaxy tablet. Visit www.canvascareers.co.nz to download the app.

The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tauranga and Priority One's Instep.