The Engaging Businesses in Local Government Conference 2022: Boosting Local Economic Growth

Following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, councils throughout the UK have begun implementing strategies and initiatives to support local economic recovery.  The Local Government Association highlights that local businesses act as an engine for economic growth through innovation, investment and job creation; engaging with businesses is, therefore, a fundamental part of post-pandemic economic recovery as it enables councils to truly understand the key challenges and opportunities in their locality. Businesses also play a key role in helping councils to accomplish wider priorities, such as achieving net-zero. It is vital for local authorities to come together and revaluate the way that they communicate and engage with local businesses, shaping the economic recovery of their local areas and achieving wider priorities.

• According to the Government, the number of private sector business decreased by 6.5% from 2020-2022
• SMEs account for 99.9% of the business population, and 60% of employment in the UK private sector, according to The Federation of Small Businesses
• In May 2021, 14% of UK shops were empty, and shopper numbers were still 30% below pre-pandemic levels

Join us at The Engaging Businesses in Local Government Conference 2022: Boosting Local Economic Growth to learn from leading best practice case studies and hear from high-level keynote speakers in the field, enabling you to develop and improve your organisation’s strategy engaging with businesses of all sizes. Topics will include identifying business needs, consulting businesses as part of local growth plans, and championing local entrepreneurship. You will also have the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from across the industry, sharing challenges and strategies to improve business engagement in the wake of Covid-19 economic recovery.

Reasons to attend:

✔ Case studies showcasing excellence in engaging businesses to promote economic growth
✔ High-level keynotes from leading organisations on the latest guidance and best practice in engaging with businesses of all sizes
✔ A wide range of topics covering identifying business needs, green growth and covid-19 recovery
✔ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues
✔ CPD (gain 4 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota)

This is a live event taking place online:
✓ Access a live event with 4 hours of CPD points from home
✓ Network and connect with colleagues in breakout networking sessions and the meeting hub
✓  Interact with speakers through live Q&A and networking
✓ Review event materials and presentations post-event
✓ Receive additional resources to boost your learning and support you in your role

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.30

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Chris Brodie, Chair, South East LEP (CONFIRMED)

• 9.40

  Keynote: Engaging Effectively with Local Businesses to Boost Highstreet Regeneration

  Chris Kolek, Programme Manager, Future High Streets Fund, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (CONFIRMED)

• 10.00

  Questions and Answers 

• 10.10

  Panel Discussion: Engaging with Local Businesses to Boost Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery

  • Identifying local sectors that have been impacted most by the pandemic and tailoring support
  • Strategies and initiatives to support businesses in boosting local productivity and innovation
  • Consulting local businesses as part of high street renewal strategies and initiatives

  Lan Feng, Senior Business Engagement Manager, Greater London Authority (CONFIRMED)

  Nigel Wilcock, Executive Director, Institute of Economic Development (CONFIRMED)

• 11.00

  Breakout Networking: Facilitating Partnerships with Businesses to Resolve Local Issues

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to interact with fellow delegates and discuss the main challenges you face in engaging with businesses to help address and overcome local issues.

• 11.30

  Comfort Break

• 11.50

  Case Study: Using Data and Evidence to Spark Innovation and Drive Local Growth

  • Insights into the North East Evidence Hub: bringing together key regional data and research for local stakeholders
  • Using data to monitor local economic trends and supporting businesses to grow these areas
  • Connecting local universities to incorporate evidence into strategic economic planning
  • Consulting with businesses on local economic growth initiatives to ensure plans align with their needs

  Richard Baker, Strategy and Policy Director, North East LEP (CONFIRMED)

• 12.10

  Case Study: Greener Growth: Engaging with Businesses to Help Achieve Net Zero

  • Strategies to ensure local businesses place environmental ambitions at the forefront of their priorities
  • Facilitating collaboration between universities and the STEM sector to nurture tech start ups and boost green jobs
  • Partnering with industries that have a high carbon output to help reduce emissions
  • Consulting with businesses to understand their point of view on green ambitions

  Naomi Harnett, Principal Projects Manager – Growth, Development and Prosperity, East Devon District Council (CONFIRMED)

• 12.30

  Questions and Answers

• 12.50

  Pre-recorded Case Study: Championing and Supporting Local Entrepreneurship and Microbusinesses

  • Conducting regular roundtables to raise awareness of the council’s support offer for small businesses
  • Providing targeted financial support for small businesses without the track record to secure other funding
  • Initiatives to support residents who have been made redundant to start their own businesses
  • Tips on improving outreach to ensure as many businesses as possible engage with council support
  • Strategies to enhance communication and engagement with hard-to-reach small businesses

  Nicola Kent MBA, Head of Funding Business & Enterprise, Staffordshire County Council (CONFIRMED)

• 13.10

  Chair’s Summary and Close

  *Programme subject to change

  

Who Should Attend?

This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors. Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be people who work in Local Enterprise Partnerships and local authorities as well other local organisations working to engage with local businesses.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Public and Voluntary Sector: £225.00+VAT+VAT
• Private Sector: £339.00+VAT+VAT