Businesses in Chelmsford have hailed the town’s Showcase for Business as a “must attend” event. Last year’s Showcase was particularly well received - it attracted over 400 business leaders and entrepreneurs, with the theme of ‘innovating for recovery’. The growth-themed Showcase for Business 2011 will be held on 16 November, with ten seminars highlighting a range of growth opportunities in the modern business world. These include specific areas, including using social media and search engine optimisation, as well as more general business lessons, such as remaining positive during difficult periods.
Chelmsford Business Networks
The Chelmsford Showcase for Business is fast becoming a major fixture in the local business calendar. As a networking event, the Showcase offers the opportunity for local business owners to meet with corporate executives (last year’s keynote speech was delivered by Natwest’s Chairman of Business Banking, Peter Ibbetson). This year, as previously, there will be experts on hand from Chelmsford Borough Council’s Inward Investment, Economy and Growth team, who can help answer questions about the support available to businesses seeking to relocate in Chelmsford, and the process of establishing a new business.
The seminars are a major draw, and provide shared ground for business people to meet and discuss topical business issues. After last year’s event, Barrie Allsop of Challenge Training Partners commented, "Good exhibitions, interesting seminars, worthwhile contacts", whilst Peter Symonds, Sales Director at The Printing Place Ltd, was even more enthusiastic, saying "I was very impressed with the event. This is turning into a really good annual event, for both new leads and meeting up with existing customers. Please book me a place next year!".
Business Inspiration
The Chelmsford Showcase for Business isn’t just about information and networking, however. It aims to inspire attendees to be more successful, motivate them with new ideas and concepts that they had not considered for their businesses, and draw attention to the opportunities available for growth. To this end, a range of experienced business speakers will be sharing their thoughts on how businesses can grow in the future.
The growth of the online marketplace is seen as one of the key opportunities that businesses in Chelmsford will be able to seize in coming years. As a result, the available seminars include some of the technical aspects of online business, including search engine optimisation and utilising social media for online networking. The value of face to face contact is not forgotten, though, and a further seminar will focus on how to construct high quality, high impact presentations. This technical knowledge is vital for modern businesses to grow. It is hoped that by providing access to these seminars, business people will again leave the event as enthused about the prospects in Chelmsford as they did last year. Over 90% of delegates last year felt that the event was good or very good.
Business Advice
Another major appeal of the Showcase for Business is its exhibition zone, where around 40 public and private sector bodies will be on hand to offer their advice to business people, free of charge. They include HMRC, Essex County Council and leading Chelmsford financial and legal businesses. These businesses and business support organisations are there to share ideas for growth, and help to inform individuals on the opportunities available to them. Its also a useful way to meet new suppliers and potentially find new customers. Last year, Chelmsford Borough Council’s Cabinet Minister for Planning and Economic Development, Neil Gulliver, said, "I've met many members of Chelmsford's business community today, sharing experiences and advice with each other - building relationships and business networks that will benefit the future of the local economy.”
The Chelmsford Showcase for Business Schedule
The Chelmsford Showcase for Business 2011 will take place at Anglia Ruskin University on 16th November. The event is free to attend, and delegates are encouraged to pre-register online.
The outline programme is currently:
7.30am for 8.00am Registration for Federation of Small Businesses Breakfast (small charge applies)
9.00am Registration for Showcase begins for official opening at 9.30am
9.30am – 6.00pm Exhibition and networking zones open
10.00am – 6.00pm Series of Seminars and key events
6.00pm Showcase closes
For further information, please visit the Showcase for Business website.
For more on business in Chelmsford, please see our Chelmsford Borough Council listing.
