One month to submit events

Organisations across Leicestershire are being reminded that all applications to run an event in the Leicester Business Festival need to be submitted by 4 September - just one month away.

This year’s Festival, headline sponsored by Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University (DMU), takes place from 28 October to 8 November. Some 100 events are expected to be part of the programme, which is already looking in great shape with many applications already received.

Scott Charlish, head of East Midlands financial planning at Brewin Dolphin and chair of the Business Festival Steering Group said, “We are already seeing a really terrific Festival programme coming together with some exceptional headline events ranging from national conferences and economic showcases to really useful sector-based events.

“We’re looking for quality events of all descriptions, that are not only highly beneficial to the people that attend, but put the outstanding strengths of the Leicester and Leicestershire business community in the spotlight, helping to raise its profile and make it a desirable location for businesses to explore and invest in.”

Being part of the Business Festival is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate skills, products and services to a national and international audience. Events can take any shape from a small workshop or seminar to a trade show or conference and anyone can apply.

Applications must be submitted via the website www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com/apply by Wednesday 4 September.

Leicester Castle Business School has been the Business Festival’s headline partner for the past three years and the University has been actively involved from running many outstanding events of their own, to hosting and providing speakers.

Helen Donnellan, director of Business Engagement said, “It’s extremely important that DMU and Leicester Castle Business School play a prominent role in the Business Festival. Universities are integral to the local economy from providing outstanding R&D [Research and Development] facilities that can help innovation and product development, to internships, placements of highly educated graduates and undergraduates.

“Here at DMU, we are very keen to continue to develop solid relationships with businesses throughout the city and the county to maximise mutually beneficial opportunities. The Business Festival is fantastic way in which to make new connections and forge partnerships and its impact often goes unrecognised. For example, as a direct result of an event that we ran in 2018, we have received £230,000 of funding to work with Leicester businesses, Freeths, Eileen Richards Recruitment and Brewin Dolphin on the three-year programme to increase diversity within the workforce of local businesses. We aim to increase the numbers of black, Asian and minority ethnic students getting internships and jobs with businesses across the region and create better prospects for high-skilled work in the local economy.

“The Business Festival really does create opportunities that are second-to-none, but businesses do need to get involved to see where might lead.”

The Business Festival is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. It has continued to grow in presence over the years and topping a marketing circulation of 37 million and involving over 1,200 businesses in 2018.

There are a range of sponsors and partners which are key to the development and promotion of the Festival. These include Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University East Midlands Chamber, East Midlands Airport, LLEP Business Gateway, Brewin Dolphin, Patterson Commercial Law, FSB, Shakespeare Martineau and Eileen Richards Recruitment. The Festival is also supported by Everards Brewery, Harborough District Council, Bradgate Estates and Team Leicester.

More help on how to run an event in the Business Festival is available on www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com/downloads. For more information, programme and date availability, contact Sarah Johnson, Project Manager at hello@leicesterbusinessfestival.com or 0116 464 5995.