Express & Star

Black Country Business Festival event submissions open

Organisations planning to run an event in the second Black Country Business Festival next year can now submit their applications.

Published
Chamber chief executive Corin Crane

This can be done via the website www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com until March 4.

The BCBF, established by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, is a two-week feast of business events of all sizes and descriptions.

It will be running from May 13 to 24 and anyone can apply to run an event in the festival.

More than 100 events took place this year and more than 5,000 attended during the first BCBF, earlier this year.

Events can be about anything and take any form such as a conference, seminar, premises tour or expo, workshop, product demonstration, showcase, debate or something completely different.

Even though events should aim to share knowledge and showcase why the region is leading the way in innovation, commerce and culture, businesses can use the opportunity to make new contacts, grow their networks and raise their profile.

Corin Crane, chief executive of the chamber, said, “The Black Country Business Festival is the region’s biggest showcase that brings untold benefits and exposure to any business involved. The first Festival had a massive circulation of 168 million, reaching over 51 million people in the region.

“It would be a good idea for businesses to start thinking about their events now. There is a limited time to submit applications and already we have in the order of 30 good events in the pipeline.

"Following our ‘How to run an amazing event in the Business Festival’ workshop, we’re expecting more applications to fly in. For anyone that couldn’t make it , we will also be doing a repeat of this event in February and the exact date will be announced in the new year.”

The festival is mainly financed through sponsorship. Sponsoring or partnering the festival tends to bring untold exposure not only locally and regionally, but also on a wider, national level.

A number of key partners and sponsors are already on board and there are still opportunities available. Solicitors, Talbots Law, DY5 - Dudley’s Business and Innovation Enterprise Zone and Birmingham Airport have signed up to be festival partners, whilst Casino 36 have confirmed their commitment for the next two years as a sponsor and official business fstival supporters include Wolverhampton Racecourse; accountancy firm, Crowe UK; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and Sandwell Council.

“Now is an ideal time to get involved through sponsoring and partnering to gain maximum benefit from a longer run up to the Festival. We want as many businesses to get behind the BCBF as possible, so as a region, we can collectively showcase the best of the Black Country to the rest of the nation.”

To find out more about sponsorship or for more information, visit www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com, e-mail hello@blackcountrybusinessfestival.com or call 01902 912304.