Region’s biggest business showcase returns
Following the success of the inaugural event, the Black Country Business Festival (BCBF) is back for a second year from 13 to 24 May 2019.
This exciting annual fortnight for business will once again be open to applications to run an event in the Festival, from Tuesday 4 December. Anyone can apply to run an event in the Festival and this can take any shape from a conference, seminar, premises tour or expo to a workshop, product demonstration, showcase, or debate. All events should look to share knowledge and showcase why the region is leading the way in innovation, commerce and culture.
To guide prospective event organisers through the process, a workshop is being held on Tuesday 4 December from 11am to 1pm at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (right).
There will be lots of information about the Business Festival as well as hints and tips on how to run a successful event from organisers’ Associate Events. Places on the aptly-named ‘How to Host an amazing event’ workshop must be booked in advance via the Black Country Business Festival website or by calling 01902 912304.
Established and seed funded by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce the first Business Festival became the region’s biggest business event with over 5,000 attendees, more than 100 events and a phenomenal market reach of 50.6 million.
The Festival is mainly financed through sponsorship. Sponsoring or partnering the Festival tends to bring untold exposure not only locally and regionally, but also on a wider, national level.
A number of key partners and sponsors are already on board and there are still opportunities available.
Solicitors, Talbots Law, DY5 - Dudley’s Business and Innovation Enterprise Zone and Birmingham Airport have signed up to be Festival partners, whilst Casino 36 have confirmed their commitment for the next two years as a sponsor.
Official Business Festival supporters include Wolverhampton Racecourse; accountancy firm, Crowe UK; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and Sandwell Council.
Matt Wistow, client relationship and business development director at Talbots Law said, “Talbots Law was actively engaged with the first Business Festival as a sponsor, events organiser, sector lead, venue host and, in addition, many of our employees also attended several events.
“We found it incredibly beneficial: in particular, the phenomenal exposure we received, the increased business engagement and new leads that it brought. We are delighted to once again play an integral part in the Business Festival and will be looking forward to capitalising on the opportunities that it presents to our business.”
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce (pictured above, centre) said, “The Business Festival is a once-a-year opportunity for the region to come together to engage, share best practice and collaborate on a completely new level. There are many ways to get involved. As well as sponsoring or partnering, we are also looking for venues and businesses to offer their room space for free to other event organisers and in doing so, will benefit from the promotional opportunities.
“I would encourage anyone thinking of running an event who is not particularly familiar with the Business Festival or hasn’t ever organised an event before to attend the workshop on 4 December to learn more about how to run an event in the Festival.
“We want as many businesses to get behind the Festival as possible, so as a region, we can collectively showcase the best of the Black Country to the rest of the world. This is going to be a national event, based in the Black Country and I couldn’t be prouder that the Chamber are fronting it on behalf of Black Country Businesses”
To find out more about sponsorship or for more information, visit www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com, email hello@blackcountrybusinessfestival.com or call 01902 912304.
