Leicester Business Festival to return for 2017

This year’s festival will be run in association with Friars Mill tenant Associate Events. The full programme of events for LBF 2017 will be announced in September 2017. Whether you are interested in sponsorship, hosting an event or simply attending, the diverse opportunities LBF has to offer make this the year that you can put your business and Leicester and Leicestershire at the forefront of the regional and national business agenda.

The inaugural LBF was hosted in 2015 with an aim to host just 20 events and achieve local community buy-in in to the concept.  It succeeded in hosting 80 events, following more than 140 applications and attracted more than 7,500 visitors. With a market reach of around 12.7 Million, LBF 2016 grew to 117 events with c.12,500 visitors and over 97% of attendees questioned said that their business benefitted as a direct result of attending LBF.

Forged private and public sector partnerships and contributions from companies such as Horiba MIRA Technology Park, PWC and Brewin Dolphin, along with access to events such as TedX talks and ‘Gateway to India’, emphasise the fruits to be harvested by companies both large and small from involvement in LBF’s vision. Organisations with a national and international reach, such as Norton Motorcycles and Make it British outline the far reaching scope of the festival whilst of equal value, LBF is always mindful that 67% of Leicester and Leicestershire’s businesses are SMEs; the programme consequentially also saw events hosted by local media and marketing companies, the LOROS charity hospice, Exchange Bar, Be Happy Yoga Project and Big Difference Company to name but a few.

In addition to the support secured from The Leicester Castle Business School, LBF has also received extensive support from the likes of East Midlands Chamber, East Midlands Airport, LLEP Business Gateway, MAG and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Events are generally free to attend but must be hosted for the direct benefit of Leicester and Leicestershire’s business community and/or in the demonstration of the innovation coming from the region. Event applications that are purely promotional are instantly dismissed.

Sponsorship and support are key to the heart of the business festival and LBF 2017 already prides itself on a growing synergy of dynamic partners for this coming year. Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Chamber and Chair of the Board and Director of the not-for-profit Community Interest Company which operates, owns and holds responsibility for developing Leicester Business Festival outlines this key element of LBF’s success:

“Leicester Business Festival provides a showcase for the innovative, creative and world class businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire via a programme of business events over two weeks. East Midlands Chamber is proud to be a stakeholder in the Festival to ensure its members, customers and the wider business community get the opportunity to participate in this world class business festival which is a key component in creating an environment that is conducive to good business in an ever evolving business community

By committing to the Leicester Business Festival for the next three years, we want the local business community to know that The Leicester Castle Business School is very much part of, and a resource for, the city’s business community.