The Northern Business Exhibition, which will be held at Manchester Central on April 18 & 19, is a “must for any SME, start-up, entrepreneur or blogger looking to take the next – or the first – step in their business this year,” says event director Ceri Rogers.
We take a look at what’s on offer.
Business advice and insider knowledge
The Northern Business Exhibition was established as a way to support and advise start-ups, SMEs and even corporate businesses, looking at how to grow previously unexplored areas.
Ceri Rogers says the aim is to ensure industry leading experts are on hand to provide business advice and insider knowledge. “We hope to help answer that all-important question – where do I start?”
The Expo incudes 15 workshops on selling, digital and social, and funding, including sessions on Google AdWords, Angel investment, multi-channel marketing and defending against cyber-attacks. There are also over 60 seminars, including sessions on international expansion, start-up law, automatic enrolment, video marketing and the incoming GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). All these sessions are free and delivered by some of the most experienced and successful entrepreneurs and experts.
You can also get more personalised and relevant advice by booking a free, 20-minute 1-2-1 advice and support session on any element of business with an expert. However, if more general support and a wider circle of contacts is what you feel you and your business need, though, the Expo has something for you too: free facilitated networking sessions run by 4Networking.
The Expo also boasts more than 100 exhibitors showcasing hundreds of innovative, time-saving and cost-effective products and services that could transform your business.
Inspirational speakers
The Northern Business Exhibition always attracts inspirational speakers at the forefront of their business. This year, speakers and session leaders include:
- Dragons’ Den star Hillary Devey CBE, talking about her journey to become a successful businesswoman
- Author Ben Kench speaking about how to make a success of your business in 2018
- Rachel Elnaugh, Dragon’s Den star and co-creator of Source TV
- Michael Carlin CEO of Zymplify
- Carl Reader the start-up coach
- Best-selling author Steve Hackney
- Gary Townley from the Intellectual Property Office,
- Steve Bartlett, CEO and founder of Global Social Media Marketing agency, Social Chain
And as if all the reasons above weren’t enough to persuade you to attend, you could also win £5,000 to fund your new venture in the Expo’s Business in a Box Competition. One entrepreneurial business idea will win £5,000 cash plus a huge range of business products and services to help them launch successfully, including mentoring, subscriptions and a cyber-security package.
“We run the Northern Business Exhibition in a way that truly supports and harnesses small businesses and we’re focused on providing quality advice, all completely free for visitors,” says Ceri Rogers.
If you feel your business could benefit, you can find out more about the Northern Business Expo here. You can also find out more about the competition for funding and how to enter.
