EXHIBITION space for the Federation of Small Businesses’ forthcoming regional conference is filling up fast.

Mar 24 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

The Ensuring Future Growth event, which will be held at the Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park, on April 18, has signed up exhibitors ranging from Business Link and the Health and Safety Executive to retailers and charities.

There are only about a dozen exhibition places remaining.

Conference organiser Anne Keenlyside said: “It’s already bigger than the last one. The day is entirely free to attend. It is being paid for by sponsors and FSB money.

“This is open to every business member, anyone in the business community in the North East. It is not just for FSB members. There is something for everyone.”

The event – the FSB’s second regional North East conference – will be addressed by keynote speaker Nick Brown, the Minister for the North East.

The Journal – media sponsor of the event – is also hosting a workshop called Making the Media work for your Business, presented by Andrew Hebden, The Journal’s assistant editor (business).

He said: “There are thousands of businesses of all sizes in the North East who have a great story to tell. I hope that the workshop will help firms understand how to get their good news out there and that I can demonstrate the value to companies of having a profile in the media.”

Other workshops will look at sales and marketing, legal issues, recycling and dealing with crime.

The conference is also offering “meet the experts” sessions, allowing businesses to benefit from one-to-one advice from professionals such as tax advisers. There will be networking opportunities throughout the day.

The first regional FSB conference, held in September 2006, attracted 210 businesses and Mrs Keenlyside, the FSB’s regional vice chairman and owner of computer programming firm Gisst, says this year’s is shaping up to be a lot larger.

Reply-paid tickets for the event are available from Business Link, One NorthEast, small business clubs, FSB members and from Mrs Keenlyside on (0191) 284-3871.