EVENTS IN AND AROUND BEDFORDSHIRE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE
FSB Events......
Hertfordshire Branch Networking Evening
Tuesday 7 February 19:00-21:00 Cinnabar Cafe, Old Stevenage
With Guest Speaker Pierre Cowlard
Members and non-members are welcome to join Hertfordshire FSB - £4.00 for members and £6.00 for guests - for an evening of presentations and networking - this price includes a light buffet.
We will be joined this month by Pierre Cowlard of Pierre Cowlard Consultancy. Formerly with Business Link, Pierre will present on ‘The 3 Key Ingredients of a Successful Marketing Plan'.
Just bring your business cards, brochures and a big name badge so people know who you are and what you do.
For more information email Maree
NEW! Cambridge East Branch Networking Evening - Members and Non-Members Welcome
Wednesday 8 February 19:00-21:00
The Tivoli,
Mitchams Corner, Cambridge
CB4 3AX
Meet the Cambridge East Branch Committee, other FSB members and local businesses in a relaxed
environment.
Ask the questions you don't find time in the working day to
ask and exchange
ideas and business
cards.
We will be there from 7pm to 9pm so drop
in anytime. You will find us upstairs.
There are over 1100 members in the Cambridge East
Branch - which covers Cambridge City, South and East
Cambridgeshire and Royston.
Non Members are welcome. Bring your work colleague or a
business friend.
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 8th February.
Queries to Dick Jarvis, Chairman Cambridge East, tel; 01954 267441 or email Dick.
New - The Real-Life Entrepreneur Roadshow with keynote speaker Michael Southon
Thursday 23 February 14:00 - 17:30 Bedford Blues Rugby Club, Bedford
FREE for FSB Members, only £12.00 non-members
Come and be part of the FSB's regional launch of the Real-Life Entrepreneurs Campaign in Bedford on 23 February.
This exciting event will include a range of presentations and exhibitors useful to new and existing businesses alike, and is open to FSB members and non-members.
The keynote speaker is 'The Beermat Entrepreneur' Mike Southon - author and Financial Times columnist and successful business mentor. He is a Visiting Fellow in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at London South Bank University, and makes frequent appearances on TV and radio.
For more information and to book a place online - visit Eventbrite
We hope you will be able to join us.
NEW! FSB Luton & South Bedfordshire Networking Evening with Dee Clayton
Wednesday 29 February 18:00 - 21:00 Tilsworth Golf and Conference Centre
Make the most of this year's extra business day!
Join the Federation of Small Businesses Luton and South Bedfordshire Branch for an evening of networking and presentations, including 'Top 10 Tips on Networking' from award-winning author Dee Clayton.
OPEN TO MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS - £10.00 per ticket
Ticket price includes hot buffet.
Download the event flyer (.pdf)
Book online via Eventbrite or email Damian Cummins for more information.
FSB National Chairman John Walker to join Mark Prisk at East of
England MEP Robert Sturdy's Business Conference in Cambridge
FREE TO
ATTEND
Friday 2 March 2012 Robinson College, Cambridge
East of England
Member of the European Parliament Robert Sturdy is to host a major trade
conference in March, aimed at bringing small and medium-sized businesses
together with UK and European experts, advisers and officials, to help equip
British firms to take their business to the world.
Confirmed
speakers at the event at Robinson College, include Mark Prisk MP, Minister of
State for Business and Enterprise, Dr Syed Kamall, MEP for London, Sean
McGuire, Brussels director of the CBI, and John Walker, National Chairman of
the Federation of Small Businesses.
The conference
will be split into three panel sessions, each followed by questions, with an
intermission for a buffet lunch for networking and discussions.
To register for a free place at the conference or for
more information, email Robert Sturdy MEP
FSB Bedfordshire Business Awards 2012
Meet the Judges, Meet the B Class - Networking Evening
Thursday 8 March Mercedes-Benz of Bedford
Opportunity to meet FSB Bedfordshire Business Awards judges and entrants, or just a great networking event with some nice cars thrown in!
Book online via Eventbrite
FSB Conference 2012 22-24 March Scarborough
Booking has now opened for the FSB National Conference for members which this year takes place in sunny Scarborough.
Details on programme, speakers (which include Rt Hon Vince Cable MP) and how members can book is available via conference webpages.
NEW! The Huntingdonshire Business Fair 2012
Thursday 19 April 11:00 - 16:00 Wood Green, The Animal Charity, Godmanchester
This highly successful business fair is back for 2012, in association with the Federation of Small Businesses, the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce and sponsored by Purple Haze VA Ltd.
Bookings are now being taken for stand space - download the Business Fair Booking Form (.pdf) or contact Purple Haze on
01638 640031
Other Events in and around Region......
Employer Networking Launch Event - Apprenticeships are good for business!
Monday 6 February 2012 09:00-10:30 Bedford iLab, Priory Business Park, Bedford MK44 3RZ
Apprenticeships are
good for business. They provide real, measurable benefits for employers and our
recent business survey told us that a growing number of Bedford employers are now considering apprenticeships as part of their overall business
development.
National Apprenticeship Week is the time when all eyes are on
apprenticeships so, to kick off the week's activities locally, this networking
session is aimed at any employer with an interest in apprenticeships.
If you are interested in taking on a new apprentice, it will be
an ideal opportunity to learn the business benefits it can bring and what
support is available for you. If you are an existing apprenticeship employer,
it will offer you a chance to raise your profile as a supporter of
apprenticeships, share experiences and learn what's new.
Come
and join us for a pastry and a coffee - for more information or to book a
place, please call 01234 276918 or email
Lindsay Mitton
Getting Down to Business: South East Midlands Plan for Growth
Businesses in Bedfordshire and Luton are invited to meet with board members of the Local Enterprise Partnership for the South East Midlands (SEMLEP) area and discuss plans for growth;
9 February 10:00
Basepoint Business and
Innovation Centre
, Butterfield, Luton LU2 8DD
RSVP by 3rd February by email to Cybelle Batcup
or by telephone 01582 547383
NEW: Registration for SEM LEP's spring conference (the BIG conference) is now open
European
Union Regional Funding for Business
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is
investing £90 million into our region to support SMEs via a range of activities
and projects, which could be of direct benefit to your business.
From resource
audits, grants and innovation support to collaborative projects with
universities, ERDF has the potential to make a real difference.
There
are a number of events being held in the next couple of months that bring
together
the
wide range of ERDF-funded support available to SMEs in the East of England:-
7th February 2012 - Cranfield
University, Bedfordshire 7.30 am
23rd February 2012 - Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford
7.30 am
6th March 2012 - Anglia
Ruskin University, Cambridge 3.30 pm
18th April 2012 - University
of East Anglia, Norwich 3.30 pm
16th May 2012 - Bedford
College, Bedford 7.30 am
Both business and academics are welcome to attend these
events.
To book on to one of the sessions or for any
queries please contact Carole Randall or
phone 0845 196 4310
Download Event Flyer (.pdf)
FSB will be taking part in Bedfordshire Business Women Big Networking Event and Lunch
International Women's Day 16 February 2012 Shuttleworth College – Old Warden 10:00–14:30
Bookings being taken for tables for lunch at this BBW networking day, with keynote speaker Ruth Badger.
Ruth has a fantastic reputation as a speaker and has delivered hundreds of motivational and keynote speeches. Since launching her consultancy in January 2006 she has enjoyed the success in helping countless businesses launch, improve and achieve sustainable growth as well as rescuing many companies on the brink of closure.
Visit BBW's new-look website for full details
WENTA Offers Training and Workshops for Small Businesses
Have you visited WENTA's website lately? The enterprise agency runs workshop programmes throughout the year on starting a business, business planning, finance, marketing and using social media. Workshops are held at their centres throughout Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
For their full programme and to find a centre near you visit WENTA's website