Leicester Business Festival 2023: event ideas wanted

Leicester Business Festival (LBF) will take place between 6 and 17 November 2023 and is the region’s largest dedicated business festival. Over 900 businesses took part at the last festival.

Winter seems far away but summer is the time for businesses to submit their ideas to run an event at LBF. Any business can apply, if it meets a set criterion which ultimately adds value or benefit to the people who attend. The online application form to submit an event will be available at www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com from 7 July 2023. The number of events is limited so it is important that businesses interested submit as soon as possible.

LBF is in its ninth year and is a key date in the business calendar. Open to all industries and businesses of all sizes. The festival operates as a Community Interest Company (CiC) and is run by businesses for businesses. So far, the festival business partners include De Montfort University, Pattersons Commercial Law, University of Leicester, Sir Thomas White, Everards of Leicestershire, TheMusicLicence, by PPL PRS Ltd (music partner) and Leicester Hospitals Charity (charity partner).

Richard Osborn, Regional director at Excello Law, Chair and a director of the LBF Community Interest Company (CiC) said: "We are pleased to share the dates and details for LBF 2023 and are delighted that we have already received plenty of interest from businesses wanting to get involved this year, both previous supporters of LBF and others engaging with us for the first time.

"We would really encourage all local businesses, whether large or small, to consider taking part. LBF really is a fantastic platform for raising your profile and to support the wider business community, whilst putting Leicester and Leicestershire, truly in the national spotlight”

"As we approach our ninth edition of the festival, it is as relevant as it ever has been and we can’t wait to see the range and quality of events that we know our local businesses will be able to host this year."

Rik Pancholi, Managing Director of Pattersons Commercial Law and LBF partner, said: “Leicester Business Festival (LBF) is not to miss out on. We have had a key role in supporting the Leicester Business Festival for five years for two main reasons. Firstly, the festival network has grown and evolved year on year which means we as a business connect with new people and reconnect with people from all types of business areas.

“Secondly, for Pattersons Commercial Law we want to contribute and support the wider business economy. Leicester is consistently ranked as one of the best places to start a business in the UK so the festival is a place where different businesses can successfully learn together.”

Past events that have been on offer at the festival include regeneration plans, cost saving initiatives, development programmes, property, legal guidance, social media tactics and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Helen Donnellan, DMU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Regional Business and Innovation and LBF partner said, said: “LBF celebrates, brings together and amplifies business innovation far and wide in the build-up, during and after the festival.

“Leicester was recently named the best place to live and work in the East Midlands and when you take part in Leicester Business Festival it is easy to see why. The events are run by and attended by talented, responsive, and like-minded people who are eager to learn and share so that doing business is even better in our area.

“We have experienced lots of positive outputs thanks to the festival including the implementation of a region wide programme to increase diversity among business leaders.

“At DMU we are incredibly proud to play our part in enabling the festival to happen which has a positive impact on the community and businesses.”

If any business is interested in partnering, sponsoring, or running an event visit the website at www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com or email hello@leicesterbusinessfestival.com for more information and guidance. The form for event applications will open to all businesses from 7 July.

At Black Iron Social on Thursday 6 July after The Gresham Network (4-6pm) all the key details for Leicester Business Festival will be highlighted during Kuku Connect (6-8pm) registration is required online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-gresham-apart-hotel-kuku-connect-leicestershire-tickets-656684720677