From exporting to marketing, social media to networking, this year’s Dumfries & Galloway Business Week is jam packed with events organised by Dumfries & Galloway Council, Business Gateway, and partners.
Running from Monday 5 to Saturday 10 October 2015, Business Week comprises around 20 fully funded events that focus on topics relevant to the local business community.
With morning, afternoon and evening sessions taking place in locations throughout the region, Business Week 2015 aims to make it even easier for business owners to come along to a free event at a time and place that suits them.
Councillor Colin Smyth, chairman of the Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure committee, said: “Building on the resounding success of our inaugural business week last year, the 2015 programme has been designed to provide all local businesses with an opportunity to expand their knowledge and learn new ways of thinking. Successful networking is one of the cornerstones of business success, and every event will provide participants with a chance to spread the word about what they do.”
Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson, said: “Business Week helps celebrate the fact that Dumfries and Galloway is a place where businesses can thrive, and highlights the wide range of free support that is available to all companies operating locally. Last year’s events received positive feedback from hundreds of businesses and we aim to emulate that success again this year.”
All the events taking place throughout Dumfries & Galloway’s Business Week 2015 have been organised by Dumfries & Galloway Council and partners, including Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise, Dumfries & Galloway College, the Federation of Small Businesses, and Scotland’s Rural College.
Events this year include:
• Inspiring Entrepreneurs – doing better business online: Monday 5 October, 6.30pm to 9pm, Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries – young entrepreneurs will be able to network, share best practice, and hear from expert speakers
• Business Networking Event: Tuesday 6 October, 5.30pm to 8.30pn., Ryan Centre, Stranraer ¬– find out what support is available to small businesses in Wigtownshire
• Marketing masterclass: Thursday 8 October, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Anglers Inn, Annan – focussing on creating a marketing strategy to ensure best return on investment
• International strategy awareness: Friday 9 October, 9am to 11am. Solway House, Dumfries – 2 innovative Scottish SMEs will share their experience and challenges of exporting
When Lyndsey Campbell of Next Chapter Events, based in Dumfries, attended the inaugural business week last year she never expected it would open so many doors for her. Lyndsey said: “The week allowed me to make new contacts and helped me become more confident when promoting my business. I intend to go along to as many events as possible this year and would encourage other businesses to sign up too because it’s a great way to make new connections.”
Sheena Horner of Galloway Chillies, based in Wigtown, believes that local businesses have nothing to lose and everything to gain from attending. Sheena said: “Last year I found the events a great way to talk to like-minded businesses. The speakers were excellent and I was able to build contacts and put faces to names. If you aren’t sure whether to attend Business Week, ask yourself two questions. What have I to lose? What could I gain from going along? I’d encourage everyone to book into events this year and meet other local business owners as we are all here to help each other.”
Booking for Dumfries & Galloway Business Week events is essential.
For more information see www.bgateway.com/dumfries-and-galloway or phone 01387 808 738.
Photo attached:
left to right
Daniel Thomas – Owner of Dumfries DJ & Disco Dome Hire
Cllr Ronnie Nicholson, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council
Cameron Pagan, owner of Hemera Visuals
Becky Fisher – owner of Teen Yoga
Cllr Colin Smyth – Chair of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure Committee, Dumfries & Galloway Council
Chris Brown – Service Manager, Business & Enterprise, Dumfries & Galloway Council
Alistair Speedie – Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure, D& G Council
Background info:
Dumfries and Galloway Business Week is run in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council, Business Gateway, Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Enterprise, Wigtown Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, VisitScotland, Dumfries and Galloway College, Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s Rural College, National Farmers’ Union, Construction Industry Training Board, University of the West of Scotland, European Regional Development Fund, and Total Access Point.
