All set for first Business Festival in Cov & Warks

THE first Coventry & Warwickshire Business Festival is set to showcase the region as a ‘beacon for investment’ later this year.

Developed by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub, the festival aims to stimulate local business growth and provide a platform to tell the rest of the UK about Coventry and Warwickshire and the strength and breadth of industries based in the region.

It has already attracted significant backing from a number of high profile organisations, including the University of Warwick, Coventry University and the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. A fortnight of exciting business events will take place across Coventry and Warwickshire between November 20 and December 1, including seminars, lectures, workshops and conferences.

Craig Humphrey, managing director of the Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub, said: “The Business Festival is really starting to gain momentum and it’s great to see the reaction we’ve had from so many organisations from all across the region.

“Partners and sponsors can expect to see numerous benefits such as untold increased exposure regionally and nationally as well as ample opportunities to grow their business networks and connect with like-minded industry experts, whilst also supporting the wider Coventry and Warwickshire business community.

“Importantly, all our partners and sponsors will be part of a region that is united in raising Coventry and Warwickshire’s outstanding business profile to the rest of the UK and beyond.”

The festival is expected to have a market reach of around two million; with between 5,000 and 7,500 people attending – 15 to 18 per cent of these being from outside the area.

While the universities and Chamber are partnering with the Growth Hub to support the festival, they are also running a number of high-profile events throughout the two-week period.

Sponsors include wholesale full-fibre network infrastructure provider CityFibre, the Federation of Small Businesses and Coventry University’s commercial recruitment agency, thefutureworks.

Over 70 expressions of interest to host events have already been received, many of which will be confirmed into the programme over the forthcoming weeks. Events range across a variety of business sectors and will appeal to a mixture of audiences, from micro-businesses to employees in large corporate organisations.

Jonathan Browning, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Being involved with the business festival is an excellent way for business to put themselves at the forefront of this innovative initiative.

“The festival will truly demonstrate how Coventry and Warwickshire is the Knowledge Capital of the UK, showing the rest of the UK our strengths, opportunities and potential as a beacon for investment.”

The festival is also supported by Coventry City Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council; Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council; Rugby Borough Council; Stratford-on-Avon District Council; Warwick District Council; Warwickshire County Council; and Deeley Construction Ltd. In addition to sponsorship, there are numerous ways for organisations to get involved, such as attending the free events, providing venue space for events, promoting the festival to their business networks or hosting their own event.

Any business or organisation of any size can apply to run an event and partner or sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, or for details on how to apply to run an event, visit the website or email hello@cwbusinessfestival.com.