New venue for business festival

Shropshire Business Festival returns on March 6 and due to the record-breaking turnout at last year’s event, the festival is moving to the Telford International Centre.

The event is being run by the award-winning team at Shropshire Festivals who expect to attract over 800 business leaders to the new venue.

The free-to-attend event promises all the fun of a festival to provide a platform where business leaders can network more meaningfully. There will be seminars, exhibitors, icebreaker activities, and a VIP event. 

Speakers booked to give topical seminars on the Start Tech Stage include: Tracy Sherratt from British Business Bank who will give insightful funding advice; Pretty Basra from The Women Money Business Podcast to give a motivational talk on turning setbacks into opportunities; and Johnny Themans and Liza Freudmann want you to turn your business into a force for good and grow your profits. The headline speaker is to be announced later this month.

“We’re excited to move Shropshire Business Festival to a brand new venue, giving us an event-ready space and more parking,” said Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals. “I’m passionate about creating events where people have fun. When it’s a relaxed atmosphere, people connect, get chatting and form new connections – that’s the best outcome at a business event.” 

Around 60 businesses from across the West Midlands will exhibit at the festival and there will be a hub to grow leads in the Good2Great Networking Area.

“Expect all the usual Shropshire Festivals’ crazy ideas,” said Beth. “Whether you’re posing for a photo with a silly prop, milking a fake cow, throwing a welly, or driving a remote control car over a filing cabinet - there will be every opportunity to spark up a conversation with the business leaders around you. This festival is nothing like the stale networking events you’re used to. You’ll meet the right people, with plenty of icebreaker opportunities to get chatting.

“It’s the most important business event of the year to get seen at. Not only is it the biggest but the timing of it means you can gather new leads to drive your growth for the rest of the year.

“We are finishing off the festival with a ticketed VIP event from 6.30pm. Again, nothing is ever boring at our events, so the VIPs will be treated to a Pudding Club for some delicious networking.

“I’d like to thank all the businesses who have signed up to sponsor the event so far. Thank you to Start Tech, Lanyon Bowdler, Chrisbeon, Azets, Clear, Good2Great, Volvo Shrewsbury, WPG, Illuminate FX Group, Human Results, Silent Seminars, and Cartwrights.”

As well as seminars on topical issues, attendees can have free one-to-one sessions in the Azets Advisory Area with specialist accountants and business advisers.

Chrisbeon will be bringing back their custom-built office racecourse where remote control cars navigate their office furniture, and media partners SBLTV and Shropshire Live will be on the ground covering the event.

Shropshire Business Festival will take place on Thursday, March 6,^h from 2pm – 7pm at Telford International Centre. Secure your free ticket, book on to the VIP event, and apply for a stand at www.shropshirebusinessfestival.co.uk.