Local entrepreneurs will be able to share ideas, expand their knowledge, and cement new contacts at this year’s Dumfries & Galloway Business Week.
Organised by Dumfries & Galloway Council, Business Gateway, and partners, the week runs from Monday, October 3rd to Saturday, October 8th, and offers 14 fully-funded events that aim to help local businesses grow.
With morning, afternoon, and evening sessions taking place in locations throughout the region, the week has been designed to make it even easier for new and existing business owners to attend free events at a time and place that suits them.
David Gardiner, Manager, Business Gateway, said: “Business week provides local entrepreneurs with a unique way to listen to industry experts, build long-lasting business relationships, and gain knowledge that will help their company stay ahead of the competition. Our region has a vibrant business community and we hope business owners will take the opportunity to attend events that have been designed specifically to help them thrive, regardless of size, sector, or markets.”
Councillor Colin Smyth, Chair of Economy, Environment, and Infrastructure, said: “Building the local economy is the number one priority for our Council. Business Week shows that Dumfries and Galloway is a place where businesses can thrive. This is reflected in the theme this year – going for growth. We want to emulate that success once again and that’s why this year’s timetable addresses topics most relevant to our business community.”
“Over 800 people attended last year’s events and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with business owners feeling inspired, confident, and determined to grow the commercial value of their enterprise. We pride ourselves on trying to do something new at each Business Week and this year this is our Business Development day, which will not only provide informative seminars, trade exhibition but also showcase Helson & Jackets innovative 3D video technology.”
All events taking place during Dumfries & Galloway’s Business Week 2016 have been organised by Dumfries & Galloway Council and partners including: Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise, Crichton Trust, Scottish Development International, Dumfries & Galloway College, Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Small Business.
This year’s calendar includes:
• Breakfast Launch Event: October 3rd, 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Neuro’s, The Crichton Estate, Dumfries – Come along and discuss the importance of growing your business before listening to Brian Williamson, Chairman of Brightstart, who is in his 33rd year of running companies at board level.
• Taste Dumfries & Galloway: October 4th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Galloway Smokehouse, Newton Stewart – If you’re a food or drink producer or a chef or cook who uses local produce, this event give you an opportunity to network, be inspired, and enjoy some delicious local produce.
• Business Development Day: October 5th, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Park House, Dumfries – Building on one of the most successful days of last year’s business week, the day offers access to support agencies including Business Gateway and Q&A’s on areas such as how to protect your intellectual assets and social media strategy. Attendees will also be able to experience Helson & Jackets innovative 3D video technology which has appeared on Channel 5’s Gadget Show.
• Women in Business: October 6th, 5.45 p.m. to 8.30p.m., Threave Visitor Centre, Castle Douglas –The Business Week Women in Business event will take a close look at the best ways to build and grow a business to suit you.
Jez Draper from 8020 Ltd, a leading communications and I.T company based in Dumfries, felt that attending the 2015 Business Week Leadership seminar was the catalyst for a vital period of change within his own business. “Listening to the Leadership Factory talk about the roles and responsibilities of Business owners and how leadership differs from management really resonated with me. It gave me the impetus to drive through change in our own organisation which has led to increasing efficiencies and improved profit margins. If you aren’t sure whether to attend business week ask yourself two questions: what have you to lose? And, more importantly, what could you gain from coming along?”
For Clare Williams, owner of Shawbrae Knitwear, based in Kirkpatrick Fleming, going to business week helped her make new connections. She said ‘I wasn’t sure what to expect from business week last year, but after attending several events, I made some really good contacts and got advice, and feedback from other businesses on how to develop my Knitwear business. This year I am looking forward to growing my business further by attending events during business week.’
Booking for Dumfries & Galloway Business Week events is essential. For further information visit www.bgateway.com/dumfries-and-galloway or phone 01387 808738.
ENDS
• The Dumfries & Galloway Business Week is run in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council, Business Gateway, Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Enterprise, Federation of Small Business, VisitScotland, Dumfries & Galloway College, Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s Rural College, National Farmers’ Union, University of the West of Scotland, the European Regional Development Fund, Galloway and Southern Aryshire Biosphere, Resource Efficient Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Crichton Campus Leadership Group, Crichton Trust, Crichton Foundation, Scottish Development International, Scottish Council of Development and Industry, Dumfries & Galloway Food and Drink, and Dumfries & Galloway Employment TAP.