The Accelerate Business Growth Expo and Conference, which is due to be held on 3 November, will target over 150 companies looking for support to help them overcome issues holding them back, such as lack of skills, poor infrastructure and broadband and where to go for funding.
It has been put together by creative agency Buy-From and the £4 million Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT), with the latter using its 36,000 sq ft training hub to host the mixture of networking, keynote speeches and interactive discussions.
The event, which is sponsored by NatWest, is just £15 to attend and will feature talks from the Marches LEP, Shropshire Council, Shropshire Business Board and FBC Manby Bowdler.
Explains owner of Buy-From in Bridgnorth, Louise Welsby: “There’s a general feeling that more needs to be done to accelerate the growth of rural businesses, who can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to getting the right level of advice and guidance.
“A lot of the time the barriers to expansion are fairly evident and can be overcome if the right support is offered. The issue for SMEs is finding the time or the contact, who can point them to where they can access resources and funding.”
She continues: “This was the germ of the idea that quickly grew after we realised the MCMT had the same vision and desire to support firms across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The answer was to create a conference that could start to address these issues – all under one roof.”
Every speaker has been tasked with talking directly about what they can do to help businesses grow, whether that be through funding, resources, training, support or vital information.
Matthew Snelson, managing director of the MCMT, will also use the event to talk about the launch of the state-of-the-art training hub that will support ‘2020 learners by 2020’ through apprenticeships and a range of upskilling opportunities. Delegates will also be given the chance to meet a number of local service providers as part of the Expo.
To book your place and to buy a ticket, click here.
IMAGE CAPTION: (L-R) Matthew Snelson (MCMT) with Louise Welsby (Buy-From)
