The Business Consortium's Believe in Business Festival

GET IN TOUCH WIGAN LOCAL BUSINESSES
BUSINESS@WIGAN.GOV.UK

8th FEBRUARY 2024 8AM-1.30PM

The Business Consortium are delighted to announce that business leader Martin Ainscough CBE DL will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Believe in Business Festival.

Martin has over 40 years business experience, starting Ainscough Crane Hire in 1976 with 6 cranes, selling the company in 2007 for over £250 million pounds, and now the head of the Ainscough Group.

Not just a successful businessman, Martin was awarded a CBE in recognition of his philanthropic services to charity, education and young people.

This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for local businesses to hear about Martin’s journey, the steps he took along the way, overcoming challenges and taking opportunities to grow and improve his community along the way.

Book your ticket now Believe in Business Festival 2024 event tickets

On 8th February 2024, the Edge Conference centre will host the second Believe in Business Festival organised by the Business Consortium which was founded in early 2020 by local businesses in partnership and with support from Wigan Council.

The Believe in Business Festival will highlight the support that is available across Greater Manchester, focusing on local businesses sharing their stories to inspire and encourage others to consider how they can grow their business in a way which benefits all. The event will celebrate businesses of all different sizes and sectors from across the Wigan borough.

The event will be split into two different sections:
• Believe in Business Festival for Businesses
• Believe in Business Festival High Street - for both businesses and members of the public.


Believe in Business Festival (Business Area)
The event will run from 8am until 1:30pm and will have a packed schedule include a combination of:

• keynote speaker - Martin Ainscough CBE DL,

• panel discussions (local businesses and business support organisations),

• business support (including Wigan Council, Business Growth Hub, GM Chamber and much more), and

• networking to help businesses approach growth in an inclusive, ethical, and sustainable manner.

There will also be access to the Artisan Market where local artisan businesses will be selling their products throughout the day. Throughout the event, businesses will have the opportunity to network and speak to a range of Council services and partner organisations providing free advice and support on a range of business support available and all in one place.

Select the session that is right for your business. There will be 6 panel sessions taking place during the day, plus a keynote speaker. Their will be two sessions on Finance, two on Recruitment, 1 on Procurement and 1 on Marketing to choose from:

For established and growing businesses:

• 09:10 - 09:55 - Empowering Growth with Financial Solutions

• 11:10 - 11:55 - The talent challenge – attracting and retaining your key asset

• 12:40 - 13:30 - Thinking local – building opportunity and capacity in our supply chain.

For Start-ups and early stage businesses:

• 09:10 - 09:55 - Harnessing effective Financial Management Is The Key To Success

• 11:10 - 11:55 - People are your biggest asset – a different approach to recruitment

• 12:40 - 13:30 - Does Marketing Really Matter?

Organised and delivered by local businesses for local businesses, there is something for everyone at this years Believe in Business Festival.

GET IN TOUCH WIGAN LOCAL BUSINESSES
BUSINESS@WIGAN.GOV.UK