Two weeks until the start of the biggest business event in the region

There is only two weeks until the start of the first Black Country Business Festival - an exciting two-week window of business events all packaged under one banner, running from 23 April until 4 May.

A staggering 122 events will be taking place over the fortnight making the Festival the biggest business event in the region. There is everything from seminars, workshops, behind-the-scenes tours and speed networking events to conferences, exhibitions and debates.

Subject matters vary from manufacturing, law, property and construction, retail, exporting and overseas trading, business development, marketing and communications through to health and safety, wellbeing, skills development, recruitment and how hyponosis, art or golf can be used to enhance your business.

All the events are listed on the website www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com where tickets are also available on a first come first served basis. The vast majority of events are completely free to attend so it is advisable to book early.

The aim of the Business Festival is to bring the region together, enabling the local business community to engage, share best practice and collaborate with each other on a completely new level. There will be endless opportunities for businesses and individuals to meet, partner and learn from each other – helping the region to prosper, its people to develop and the economy grow.

Originated by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and partnered by DY5 – Dudley’s Business & Innovation Enterprise Zone, the plan is for the Festival to become an annual event in the business calendar.

Corin Crane, chief exective of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce said, “When we started out with this venture, we never imagined it would take off in the way that it has. We are thrilled that the business community has got behind it and already turned it into a success story for the region by the sheer amount of engagement that we have seen.

“The Business Festival is a brilliant tool for the Black Country to promote what it has to offer including the outstanding and diverse businesses and the first-rate innovation and commerce that goes on here. This is a great place to live, work and invest in. I am proud of this region, proud of our businesses and I want to tell everyone that ‘this is the Black Country’.”

Karen Woolley, development manager from the Federation of Small Businesses said, “The FSB is involved in the Festival on many levels from supporting the concept and development through to running several events.

“Our half day conference on 30 April offers practical solutions and easy to implement advice on protecting and maintaining businesses and we are thrilled to have secured the Bank of England for an exclusive roundtable debate on Friday 4 May.

“We are also delighted to be working in partnership with the ‘Woman Who’ network for an event on 30 April aiming to inspire all women at whatever stage of their business journey (and men are also welcome to attend!)”

“There is so much going on there will be something for everyone. With over 120 events there is sure to be hundreds of opportunities to learn new things, make connections, develop skills and enhance business growth – and the majority of events are completely free to attend!”

The Black Country Business Festival is run in association with Associated Events and in addition to the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and DY5, it is supported by a number of organisations which all understand its importance and relevance and want to contribute to its success. It is sponsored by Cox & Plant and the Ramada Park Hall Hotel, and it is supported by the University of Wolverhampton, Talbots Law, Wolverhampton Racecourse, Casino 36, Sandwell Council and Nachural. Business Festival media partners are Express & Star, Midlands in Business, Signal 107 and Elonex.