Webinar help on running events in 2020 Black Country Business Festival

Business Festival organisers have been sharing help and advice on how to run amazing events in this year’s Black Country Business Festival (BCBF) in an on-line webinar which took place yesterday [7 July].

The webinar showed people how they could deliver outstanding events, using the digital platform being made available to them and really maximise the Business Festival to benefit their business. It is available to view on the Black Country Business Festival website www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com.

Although the Festival has been put back to October due to COVID-19, it is definitely still going ahead whether this is totally digital, physical or a mix of the two. Already there are nearly 75 events in the programme, a large proportion of which have transferred from the previous May dates – and some of these are digital-only events.

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, which initiated the BFBF three years ago, said, “This online workshop was about helping businesses to understand how they can run digital or ‘hybrid’ events if they want to. We also wanted to help new event organisers with the process, the criteria for running events and share what sort of events are likely to work well in the Festival.

“The Business Festival is now in its third year, although this year it will take on a new role by bringing some much-needed positivity to the region. It has been an incredibly difficult period on a global scale and we’re not out of the woods yet. Our aim at the Chamber is to help Black Country business recovery in any way that we can and getting involved in the Festival is not only a great way for businesses to move forwards, but it is a brilliant platform to demonstrate the resilient qualities of the Black Country business community.”

Gemma West, project manager from Associate Events (the agency managing the BCBF) said, “The application process to host an event is open until 14 August and we are already seeing a great fortnight of events on the cards.

“I would encourage anyone thinking of running an event to watch yesterday’s webinar, which is on the website, or to get in touch with me for help, more information or if they have any questions.

The BCBF relies on sponsorship from organisations in the Black Country, which has automatically rolled over to October. The Festival Partners are: University of Wolverhampton, Talbots Law, Dudley Business First, Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and the Black Country Growth Hub; sponsors are: Wolverhampton Racecourse, Thomas Dudley, Casino36 and M6toll. The Festival is also supported by Gecko Programmes, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council with media partners, Elonex, Signal 107 and Metro and app partner, Infonote.

The 2020 Business Festival will be taking place right across the Black Country from 5-15 October. Anyone wishing to submit an event needs to simply visit the BCBF website www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com and complete the short application form providing details about their event, date and time.

For more information or help, businesses should email hello@blackcountrybusinessfestival.com, call 01902 912304 or visit www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com.