Record number at Growing Gloucestershire Conference

A record 225 professionals came together for a day to hear from some of Gloucestershire’s finest speakers and to share best practice and network with others at the Growing Gloucestershire Conference on Wednesday (29 June).

The conference had two keynotes, David Drew, Chair of Forest Green Rovers FC & Community Lead on Eco Park and Jason Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Marketing Gloucester, a social media masterclass session by Luan Wise and speakers organised by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI). These sessions focused on four key areas to business growth; financial management, marketing, people and management.

Dr. Jayne Nation of Wynne Jones IP attended the conference for the first time. She shared: “I really enjoyed the variety of business issues that were discussed at the conference and it was a great opportunity for the local business community to network and to come together in support of each other. I liked hearing the inspirational success stories of local businesses and it was great to learn new skills and tips from friendly experts. I came away on a high with a head full of new ideas, feeling really motivated by being with such a great bunch of people.”

It was the twelfth conference run by a group of county volunteers representing professional institutes and membership bodies. It took place at The Growth Hub at the University of Gloucestershire Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester.

Growing Gloucestershire Conference Chair, Simon Wall, said: “Wow, what a great day. I’m proud of what we have achieved and it was fantastic to see so many people taking advantage of and enjoying the conference. Watching the social media conversation throughout the day highlighted people's supportive feedback, it was buzzing - in fact #GrowGlos16 was trending on Twitter!

“Many thanks to sponsors Omega and Willans solicitors for helping bring the event to life. I'm looking toward to organising next year’s one.”

John Rockley was the MC for the conference and David Owen, Chief Executive Officer of GFirst LEP brought the conference to a close by sharing the ‘We are Gloucestershire’ 2050 vision as well as encouraging businesses to show their support for the county by taking part in the GFirst LEP Make Gloucestershire Great pledge.

The day was supported by conference sponsors Willans LLP solicitors and Omega Resource Group, as well as exhibitors such as Cloudtamers, Randall and Payne, Roses Theatre, Consortio, GFirst LEP and national institutes.

To keep up-to-speed with 2017 conference news visit www.glosprofs.com.

The conference is organised by Gloucestershire Professionals.