The first Open 4 Business Dorset Conference was held on Thursday 18th October 2012 at the Riviera Hotel, Weymouth. This Conference and Business 2 Business exhibition focused on Platforms for Future Growth, keynote speakers shared information and news which will contribute to the future growth of the Dorset economy. The Exhibition was opened by Simon Williams Olympic Legacy Officer of Weymouth & Portland Council followed by Ian Doyle Economic Regeneration Manager of West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland Councils. The presentation included key lessons learnt from hosting the Olympic sailing games during the summer and how the local authority can assist and enable local businesses to build on these lessons for future growth. New Jobs and Weymouth town centre regeneration plans were also discussed.
Over 120 Businesses dropped in throughout the day viewing the exhibition and attending sessions at the conference.
Other speakers included Peter Scott of the Dorset LEP who spoke about updates and plans for future growth in Dorset, Rob Jones, Vice Principal of Weymouth College who spoke about Apprenticeships and Work based learning and Matthew Butcher, WSX Enterprise who talked about Business Development in Dorset. The afternoon sessions included Nigel Reed, Chair of Weymouth BID and a very interesting talk by Nigel Jump, Senior Economist regarding the Economic Impact 2012 and 2013 forecast
Julie Cleaver, Managing Director of Open 4 Business Dorset said “The Conference and Exhibition was a new format for Open 4 Business Dorset. Usually over 20 events are hosted over a 3 week period but this year the Stakeholder group decided to concentrate events in to one Conference, and I think its been very successful. Dorset businesses have learnt valuable lessons during 2012 and many of these have produced cost savings and the introduction of a brand new group of customers to their businesses. We need to build on these lessons for success in 2013.”
For more information please contact Julie Cleaver on [email protected] or www.o4business.co.uk Telephone : 01305 774629