Businesses from across Shropshire will be coming together at an event combining workshops, networking and an open discussion with local councils about encouraging enterprise in the county.
The first ever FSB Expo and Christmas Craft Fair is being organised by the Shropshire branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and will take place at Shrewsbury Business Park on November 14.
Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jon Tandy, will open the event and the leaders of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils have been invited to attend the networking sessions to meet business owners and discuss their ideas and issues.
The event will be held from 3pm, with a buffet at 6pm, at Image Match in Jupiter House on Shrewsbury Business Park, after the owner of Image Match, Mark Gibson, offered his premises to the FSB for the exhibition.
As well as a valuable networking opportunity, the Expo will feature local craft products, ideas for Christmas gifts and an opportunity to meet local entrepreneurs, artisans and innovative Shropshire businesses.
People from businesses big and small are welcome to attend the event, which is free, but organisers are asking people to email [email protected] if they are intending to stay for the buffet.
Barbara Rainford, secretary of the FSB Shropshire branch, said: “This is the first time the FSB Shropshire branch has organised an event like this and we hope it will be the first of many.
“The FSB has nearly 2,000 members in Shropshire and we hope many of them will be at the Expo, so it’s a great opportunity for people to come and meet a wide variety of businesses – not just FSB members – it’s open to everyone.
“But it won’t just be about networking, there will be a Christmas market with displays from local craftsmen, and workshops about how businesses can tender for work with the public sector. It will also be a good chance to talk to Mark Gibson about how Image Match is helping young people find work in these difficult times.”
Two workshops will be held at the same venue before the Expo, hosted by COGS, which helps small businesses tender for work for councils and other large organisations.
The workshops are ‘Winning business, the power of the mind’ with Ben Coates at 1pm, and ‘How to expand and win business with Corporate Social Responsibility’ with Paul Hinkins at 2pm.
Both workshops are free, but places are limited so people are requested to book by emailing [email protected]. Registration is at 12.30pm with refreshments.
The evening concludes with the FSB branch AGM at 7.30 pm which is open to all FSB Shropshire members to attend.