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Believe in Business Festival

Wednesday, 8th February ,2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Free
🎉 Register for your FREE Believe in Business Festival ticket today
📅 Wednesday 8th February 2023
📍 The Edge, Wigan, Riveredge, Wigan, WN3 5AB
📣 A new festival for Wigan Borough, developed by businesses for businesses, will make its debut in February. There will be something for everyone with workshops, panel discussions, business networking, an Artisan Market, Food Court and employment support.

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.
Businesses and the public are invited to book a FREE ticket

Main Stage

9:00 – Opening event and keynote speakers. The Business Consortium will be joined on stage by the Leader of Wigan Council, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Director of Economy & Skills and a representative from the Wigan Enterprise Board. Range of topics, including overview of upcoming opportunities across the borough.

10:05 – Can you do business differently to improve recruitment? Panel discussion hosted by Good Employment Charter and B-Corp joined by local businesses/organisations sharing their experiences and the benefits of being members/supporters.

10:40 – Young and Fearless – Leading the way. Wigan Borough is full of creative, innovative new businesses and has the networks to support young entrepreneurs to succeed. Panel discussion with young entrepreneurs sharing their experiences who have been supported by Wigan & Leigh College; Enterprising You and Wigan Youth Zone. They will be joined by an established local entrepreneur to share their experiences.

11:15 – Enable, Empower & Enact. Panel discussion hosted by David Baxter Founder of Wigan and Leigh Community Cooperative which is only 1 of 6 organisations nationally to be funded by Power to Change, to empower Abram Ward as a place to grow community businesses with the aim to reduce inequality and poverty, supported by the Made in Wigan brand a make and buy local initiative. David will be joined with a panel of local businesses.

12:15 – Shaun Wane; Head Coach of England Rugby League and former Head Coach of Wigan Warriors. Shaun is now Leadership and Management Director at Wigan Warriors and is also a keynote speaker and business consultant. He will share his experiences in sport and the parallels it shares with business.

12:45 – Making Sense of the Energy Challenge? PART 1. Hosted by GC Business Growth Hub. Helping you to overcome barriers, identify; and then prioritise energy efficiency projects on your journey towards becoming a Net Zero business.

13:15 – Building Strength and Resilience for you and your business, join your host Dave Verburg, a motivational speaker on building strength and resilience in your businesses who will be joined by local businesses as they share their experiences and how they have overcome challenges.

13:45 – What’s the Big Deal? Hosted by Wigan Council’s Economic Development Team and joined by local businesses, discussing the refreshed Deal for Business. The Gold Awards will take place immediately after this session.

14:15 – Going for Gold – Deal for Business Awards.

Food Court Area

Local food and drink stalls providing refreshements.

14:40 – Time to Network delivered by FubHub, Leigh Means Business and Professionals of Wigan with Entertainment.

Workshops

11:15 – 11:45 What is CSR and how can it benefit my business? Delivered by Connolly’s we will look at how some businesses will already be doing this without even knowing, discuss the different ways in which your business can play a positive role in the community and how to consider the environmental and social impact of your business decisions.

12:15 – 12:45 Skills/Training/Recruitment. Delivered by Wigan & Leigh College. Recruiting new talent is becoming more and more difficult for some organisations over the last few years, but this is not sector or job role specific. Join your host, Wigan & Leigh College, as we explore recruiting, upskilling and future skills in this interactive workshop

13:15 – Making Sense of the Energy Challenge? PART 2. Hosted by Manchester based ‘Green Economy’ looking at solutions and how to access suppliers to help your business meet the energy challenge by reducing costs and becoming more sustainable.

Note: To avoid disappointment make sure to book your place on the sessions which you are most interested in. Please note that workshops take place at the same time as some panel sessions.

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.

The areas open to the public and businesses, will consist of a range of artisan market stalls, employment and skills support, and a food court with entertainment.

Note: The workshops, panels and networking events will only be open to the businesses attending the event. If you don’t have a business but want to attend, please search for ‘Believe in Business High Street’ on eventbrite for tickets.

Details

Date:
Wednesday, 8th February ,2023
Time:
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost:
Free
Event Category:
Website:
https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Business/Business-Support/Business-Festival.aspx

Venue

The Edge
Wigan Riveredge
Wigan, WN3 5AB United Kingdom
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