Series of events to look at the impact of connectivity on North East businesses
Seven business organisations will collaborate this month to run a series of events in locations across Aberdeen City and Shire, looking at transport and digital connectivity driving the growth of local businesses in the region.
North East Business Week, in its fourth year, is coordinated by local business agencies Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise) and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI).
Kicking off on Monday the 28th of April, the events are geared around the theme ‘Connectivity Driving Growth’ and will close on Friday the 2nd of May with a Summit Lunch to discuss the week's key findings.
Associate partners Transport Scotland, BT, North East of Scotland Trade Group (NESTG) and the Transport Partnership for Aberdeen City and Shire: Nestrans have been invited to organise or take part in complementary events on the same theme.
Events in the series will engage a variety of audiences from students to established business owners covering business related connectivity issues such as rail developments, public transport, road conditions, local road development updates such as the Western Peripheral Route, and airport links. Digital connectivity, e-commerce and social media will be assessed, with events to identify best practice when engaging with prospective and current client bases, broadband speeds and wi-fi connections in the region.
If you are interested in how connectivity can really drive the growth of businesses in the north east region, please find out more and book on these events on the www.northeastbusinessweek.co.uk website. The events span from free of charge, to events by invitation only in a number of locations across the city and shire of Aberdeen. Approximately 1,000 people attended North East Business Week events in 2013 with the topic ‘People Driving Growth’; therefore high delegate numbers are expected at each of the 2014 events.
Andy Willox OBE, Chair of the South Aberdeenshire branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said:
“Sustainable economic growth in the North East depends on our businesses – big and small - being able to connect effectively with customers at home and abroad. Whether these connections are made by air, road, rail, are mobile or online, they must provide businesses with the ability to exploit opportunities and reach their full potential. FSB is once again delighted to be one of the founding key partners in North East Business Week and look forward to examine the key issues and challenges faced by businesses during our 2 events – our stakeholder dinner debate on digital connectivity and our panel question & answer session on road connectivity & congestion. Businesses across the North East have a stake in how the routes to connectivity are developed and we hope to meet many of them at the series of events over the week.”
Bob Collier, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said:
“Connectivity matters to every enterprise in the region – both physical and digital connectivity. The energy sector needs global connectivity to remain a centre of excellence; the food and drink sectors need connections to markets; the service sector needs to connect to people and businesses; and connectivity is essential to growing visitor numbers to the region. The events in 2014 North East Business Week will show very clearly why connectivity matters to secure our future prosperity, and how it can be improved.”
Gary McEwan, Chief Executive of Enterprise North East Trust said:
"North East Business Week is a fantastic opportunity each year for the local business community to broaden their knowledge on specific topic relating to the growth of their business, discuss key topics that relate to the day to day running of their business, and identify opportunities for growth in the present and future. The series of events in 2014 is a prime example of this. Connectivity in various forms affects our businesses more than ever, from the public transport and roads used by our staff to travel to and from work, to the broadband connection available to our clients and work forces. The two free Enterprise events we are running will touch on both the connection with the business community, enterprise and sport and also how digital connectivity via e-commerce and social media can grow our businesses by communicating more effectively with current and prospective clients. These are open to all and free of charge so we expect a large turnout to both."
SCDI’s Regional Director, Ian Armstrong noted: "The 2014 Business Week will be a fantastic series of events and activity focusing on what is a critical set of issues for the North East. If the economy is to be enabled to grow and flourish to the benefit of not only this region but the whole of Scotland and the UK, then addressing and improving our connectivity will be absolutely vital. The range of events and speakers examining transport and mobile/broadband connectivity issues is a great opportunity for members to be informed and bring influence to bear on a variety of key decision makers”
As part of North East Business Week, research has been conducted with a survey to the local business network gathering feedback on ‘hot topics’ relating to Connectivity Driving Growth. The results will be brought to you exclusively from the Press & Journal as North East Business Week concludes on Friday the 2nd of May.
What is North East Business Week?
North East Business Week is an initiative by the region's four principal business organisations – Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) – to jointly highlight the message that this region continues to be a major economic driver for economic recovery in Scotland and across the UK. Business Week running from April 28th to May 2nd, and now in its fourth year, will consist of a series of events focusing on a number of key areas relevant to the future business growth and prosperity of the region, such as rail connectivity, public transport, road conditions, local road development airport links, digital connectivity, e-commerce and social media all of which affect the growth capacity of local businesses. “North East Business Week – Creating an enterprising and prosperous future” remains the overall thrust, with the theme for 2014 – Connectivity Driving Growth. Further information is available at www.northeastbusinessweek.co.uk
Enterprise North East Trust Events
Enterprise will be running two free events, open to all, as part of North East Business Week. If you would like to book your free place, please click on the posters below or contact Michelle Barclay, Communication Manager, events@enetrust.com 01224 289745.
Please note that there are currently 14 places remaining for the 'Click Tag Grow' event, and 90 places remaining for the large 'Connect 4' event.
