Herefordshire means business

Scores of county business men and women have already booked their places at the Herefordshire Business Conference and Exhibition, which takes place at the Courtyard Centre for the Arts on Monday, April 14.

The event - the first of its kind in the county - promises to bring together a host of top quality speakers including keynote speeches from regional government, business leaders and venture capitalists.

The conference is hosted by Herefordshire Council and the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Advantage West Midlands and the Hereford Times.

Four local companies will also highlight recent successes within the county.

Businesses already signed up to display their products on the day include: Bubble Productions, Muddy Boots, M & M, 7Y and Sun Valley.

"This will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that's innovative and creative among county businesses," said Cllr Adrian Blackshaw, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for economic development and community services.

"We need to discard the label which identifies Herefordshire solely with agriculture as we have many excellent companies which are at the forefront of technology and creativity and in many cases, leaders in their field.

"We need to understand how we can support and benefit each other to further enhance the businesses opportunities within the county. This conference will include displays and presentations by dozens of our local businesses and promises to be a real eye-opener.

"We have a great tale to tell and this conference marks the first chapter of the success story of Herefordshire's businesses. I'd encourage all those who have been invited to get their replies back before the delegate places are taken," added Cllr Blackshaw.

Mick Laverty, Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said: "Advantage West Midlands is delighted to support what will no doubt be an inspiring and informative event for Herefordshire businesses.

"There are some top-class businesses operating across the county, from very large enterprises to home-based entrepreneurs, and Advantage West Midlands is committed to providing ongoing support to help develop these businesses."

Gary Woodman, Business Development Lead for Herefordshire, Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire & Worcestershire, said: "We're delighted to be working in partnership with Herefordshire Council to host this exciting event.

"As proved at the Chamber Awards 2007, there is a huge amount of business innovation within Herefordshire and we want to broadcast this as far and wide as possible. This event will bring all those businesses together to inspire and inform".

Liz Griffin, editor of the Hereford Times, said: "The Hereford Times is delighted to be a partner in the Herefordshire Business Conference and Exhibition.

"As the county's leading newspaper reaching out to more than 100,000 readers weekly, we value the importance of a strong and vibrant business sector in Herefordshire, highlighting important stories not only in our weekly Business Times section of the newspaper but also in our regular business supplements.

"We look forward to meeting all the other businesses in Herefordshire at the Courtyard on April 14 and to receive the keynote speeches from leading industry figures and venture capitalists in our region,"

Martyn Green, the Courtyard's chief executive, said: "With its excellent range of city-centre conference and meeting facilities, The Courtyard Centre For The Arts is pleased to host the Herefordshire Business Conference.

"We're delighted to welcome back co-organisers the Chamber of Commerce and Herefordshire Council, and look forward to meeting local businesses on 14 April."

Invitations have already gone out to many local businesses - those who have received an invitation are encouraged to return them quickly as spaces are filling up.

Any local business men and women wanting more information about the event should contact Naomi Rusher, at the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire & Worcestershire, on 0845 641 1523.