The Lancashire Festival of Business

The Lancashire Festival of Business, in partnership with Boost, is a new event in the calendar, which will celebrate and support business and entrepreneurship.

With opportunities to be grabbed and challenges to be met, we will bring together business leaders to share their experiences and advice. 

We’ll also bring the best expertise, guidance, market intelligence and inspiration to the Festival from across Lancashire’s business support community and beyond.

Everything you need to grow, scale or start a business in the county will be on hand with two tracks to provide inspiration and learning at the heart of each. 

The event will focus on the below with panels and masterclasses: 

• Funding and finance for your business  
• Recruiting and retaining the best team 
• How to plan for your future with a clear strategy  
• Getting started with ESG 
• How to boost sales  
• Leadership 

Please note the masterclasses have limited spaces. We will take your preference in advance and advise which you can attend on the day but unfortunately the masterclasses are not guaranteed as part of the event.

Masterclass 1: Harnessing ESG 

With Miranda Barker and Stephen Sykes from East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

This masterclass will cover:

• What is ESG and how it differs from CSR
• Reporting frameworks and why they are needed
• ESG and UN sustainable development goals
• B Corp and B Corp certification

Masterclass 2: Planning and strategy – how to drive growth

With Professor Simon Bolton from Edge Hill University

This masterclass will cover:

• Six insights that are driving success in Lancashire businesses
• Three key strategies for growth
• How to use internal data to improve productivity and stimulate growth
• Understanding how to measure success

Masterclass 3: Increase your sales today

With Helen Tebay from The Sales Lady

This masterclass will cover:

• Strategies for immediate business growth
• The top three actions that most sales professionals forget
• Empowering sales teams for control and consistency
• How to put into practice what you have learnt

The Festival

The Festival will provide a great vibe as we take over the venue with attendees free to roam each zone throughout the day. This will feature:

Main stage - the inspiration zone

Our main stage will feature keynotes speakers, panels and interviews with those who will share their stories of success. It will also feature the exhibition and networking area.

Boost zone

Meet the Boost team and advisors who can support you in unleashing your business growth journey allowing you to thrive.

Masterclass stage – the learning zone

Head through the Boost zone to access our masterclass track which will provide sessions on marketing, sales, planning strategy and ESG. Please note there are limited spaces on the masterclasses and they are not guaranteed with the ticket booking.

One-to-one zone

Book into the one-to-one area to meet with a Boost advisor to have a more detailed conversation about your plans and next steps.

Refreshment zone

Grab a drink or lunch with space to meet new contacts and take a moment out of the event to reflect.

Confirmed exhibitors:

• Boost
• Brown & Co
• Department for Business and Trade
• Edge Hill University
• IN4 Group
• Love to Brand
• Napthens 
• NatWest
• PM+M
• Rossendale Borough Council
• South Ribble Borough Council 
• The Sales Lady

Click here to see the festival map

Who is it for?

The Festival is for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to start, scale or grow their business.

It will inspire with panels and speakers who have successfully started and built their businesses here in the county.

It will provide various learning opportunities with experts on key topics relevant to all businesses via the learning zone.

And of course, there will be chance to meet new contacts through the exhibition, networking and catering areas plus the Boost zone.
Speakers to be announced shortly.

The event will be reviewed in full in Lancashire Business View’s special supplement in our March/April edition and shared with our 50,000 readers in print and online.

Sponsorship

For sponsorship opportunities including exhibition options please contact Stephen Bolton on [email protected] or 07966 090175 or Joanne Hindley on [email protected] or 07442 949697.