Must-attend event

A selection of the UK’s most dynamic entrepreneurs sharing the secrets of their success and a comprehensive range of the most essential business services on offer makes the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition & Conference the place where entrepreneurs can take the next step in expanding their businesses successfully. This must-attend event takes place on Friday, 20 and Saturday, 21 March 2009 at Olympia, London.

Growing Your Own Business helps aspiring and established entrepreneurs to improve their profitability and efficiency and provides all the encouragement and support to achieve this through expert advice. Visitors will benefit from the free conferences, with seminars presented by outstanding speakers all providing solutions to the key issues that entrepreneurs face as they build their businesses.

The keynote opening address on Saturday, 21 March addresses top tips that entrepreneurs need to know during a recession and is presented by John Paleomylites, founder of BeatThatQuote.com, the personal finance price comparison website. The seminar covers vital issues such as how to develop and utilise self-belief and resilience. 

As a serial entrepreneur, Paleomylites built his first company, JCP, from start-up to become a leading UK internet transaction security company in less than three years. His company was acquired by Sun Microsystems thereafter and Paleomylites took a year’s leave to dream, research and launch BeatThatQuote.com following extensive research into the price comparison marketplace. It is currently one of the UK’s fastest growing privately held companies.

Other speakers at the event include Geoff Matthews, managing director of Matthews Business Associates, an accountancy firm specialising in personal client-focused accounts, tax and business performance services, who will discuss maintaining and growing cash flow, sales and profitability. Serial networker Mike Segall, managing director of The Business Resources Group, will address how to leverage social networking sites to generate business, while Emmett Kilduff, CEO of cmypitch.com, a specialist website offering services to small businesses, will discuss funding a business’ growth.

Carl Pihl, founder and managing director of Drinkys, a beverage distribution company, will present a seminar entitled ‘Creative marketing on a shoestring’, while Adam Goodyer, Founder of Concert Live, the instant live CD company, will discuss how to boost sales through focusing a business strategy on customer needs. Addressing how to take a business to a higher level through quality, service standards and keeping ahead of competition will be Vincent McKevitt, founder of Tossed Salad Bars.

How to maximise revenue and opportunities from email marketing will be discussed in a seminar entitled ‘Profiting from email marketing’ by Steve Kemish, client services director of Adestra, the digital marketing company. Derek Bishop, managing director of Abeo Consulting, the customer care improvement consultants, will address how to retain customers through outstanding customer service, while online pharmacy entrepreneur Mitesh Soma, founder of ChemistDirect.co.uk, will discuss how to get a business noticed online.

On both days of the event, Brian Smart, director general of the British Franchise Association (bfa), will discuss how to expand a business through franchising.

BUSINESS ADVICE ZONE
Another valuable feature at Growing Your Own Business will be the Business Advice Zone, facilitated by The Business Resources Group. Visitors can receive one-to-one guidance from business specialists and network with other entrepreneurs through designated networking sessions.

There will be four key areas where visitors can learn more about the most important issues facing the success of a small to medium-sized business today. These key areas include sales and marketing, leadership and management, legal and statutory and a ‘beat the recession’ area.

The Growing Your Own Business exhibition features leading specialists in small business management with superb solutions to help businesses increase their efficiency and, most importantly, improve their profitability and develop sustainable growth. Professionals, including accountants, lawyers and small business support services, will advise visitors on all aspects of developing a successful business.

PITCH NEW BUSINESS IDEAS TO THE BBC’S DRAGONS’ DEN
The BBC’s Dragons’ Den will have a research team on hand at the Growing Your Own Business exhibition to advise visitors on how to apply to be featured on the show. Visitors are invited to pitch their ideas to the production team on site.

The event is co-located with The British & International Franchise Exhibition, enabling small businesses not only to access business products and services, but also to explore the options of franchising as a route to expansion.

To find out more information about speakers and exhibitors at Growing Your Own Business visit www.sme-events.com.

The Growing Your Own Business Exhibition & Conference is open from 10am each day, closing at 5pm on Friday, 20 and 4pm on Saturday, 21 March 2009. For tickets call the hotline on 0870 777 1082 or visit www.sme-events.com. Callers can purchase tickets in advance by credit card for £8 each or £7 for two or more. Admission on the door is £13.

FUTURE EVENTS
The British Franchise Exhibition & Growing Your Own Business Showcase & Conference. SECC, Glasgow. 5 & 6 June 2009.

The National Franchise Exhibition & Growing Your Own Business Exhibition & Conference. NEC, Birmingham. 2 & 3 October 2009.

The British Franchise Exhibition & Growing Your Own Business Exhibition & Conference. Manchester Central, Manchester. 29 & 30 January 2010.