Elevator, Scotland’s leading business support organisation, has partnered with Business Gateway Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council to bring this new entrepreneurial event to this region for the first time.
The Transform Business Festival Lanarkshire will take place at The University of the West of Scotland’s Lanarkshire Campus in Blantyre on Wednesday 8th February and will bring together local businesses from North and South Lanarkshire for a day of inspiring speakers, workshops and fun networking events.
Free to attend, the event will kick off at 8:00am with an inspiring Business Breakfast featuring Keynote Speaker Giles Duley. A photographer, writer and CEO of the Legacy of War Foundation - Duley lost both legs and an arm on patrol in Afghanistan. He will share his incredible story and the relatable importance of building resilience in life and business.
Duley will be joined by Elevator’s CEO, Professor Gary McEwan, who will explore the mindset of successful entrepreneurs.
"Elevator are delighted to bring the Transform Business Festival to Lanarkshire in partnership with Business Gateway, North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council.
The one-day event is a fantastic opportunity for Lanarkshire businesses to network and build their connections, plus, gain great tips and advice on moving business forward in a challenging 2023. I have the privilege of speaking at Business Networking Breakfast and look forward to meeting many Lanarkshire business owners and entrepreneurs on the day." -added Professor Gary McEwan.
The Business Breakfast will be opened by Councillor Robert Brown, Chair of Community and Enterprise at South Lanarkshire Council.
Councillor Robert Brown said: “Lanarkshire has a great history of producing entrepreneurs and business leaders, but for each one who achieves success, the seed has to have been planted and the right environment has to have been provided to allow it to grow.
“The Transform Business Festival is a significant event for the business sector, offering the vital advice, ideas and encouragement both for those who want to develop as entrepreneurs and for the organisations who want to develop an entrepreneurial culture.
“South Lanarkshire Council is a key partner in this major business event, helping the potential of today become the success stories of tomorrow.”
Following the Business Breakfast, the day will see an exciting range of BiteSize Business sessions designed to upskill and motivate, as well as Fireside Chats covering topical business issues and interactive networking events. These sessions will operate on a first come first serve basis and ticket holders are invited to attend as many or as few as they wish.
The Eco-System Village will be open from 9.30am, with industry-leading organisations there to offer expert advice on all areas of business growth or new business ideas. Exhibitors include North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Federation of Small Business, VANL, VASLAN, Scottish Enterprise and Scotland Food and Drink.
At 12:00pm there will be a Networking Lunch with former Glasgow Warrior and International rugby player, Lee Jones and former International cyclist & business owner, Charline Jones discussing confidence, mindset and getting ‘fit’ for business.
The Networking Lunch will be opened by Councillor Paul Kelly, Depute Leader of North Lanarkshire Council.
Councillor Paul Kelly said: “This event is designed to help the businesses across Lanarkshire who are working hard to innovate, develop and look for new opportunities to grow.
“There’s a wide range of support available from Business Gateway Lanarkshire and councils to help businesses deal with the ongoing challenges they face, and the festival is the ideal place to find out how we can help transform your business for the future.”
Tickets for the event are available free of charge at transformbusinessfestival.com/lanarkshire
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