IN THE AUGUST GOOD MORNING LEICESTERSHIRE
- Chamber Open Day Invite
- Market Visit To South West China
- Raise The Profile Of Your Business
- Grant Opportunity
- Flood Support
- Queen's Award For Enterprise
- Musical Interlude
- Business Mentors Wanted
- Innovation Exploitation Event
- Forthcoming Chamber Events
GET INVOLVED
If your company would like to help the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce continue to provide this informative e-newsletter Good Morning Leicestershire and raise the profile of your own business at the same time then please talk to Sharon Jeffrey on 0116 204 6618 to discuss sponsorship opportunities, preferential rates are available for Chamber Members.
CHAMBER OPEN DAY INVITE
Do you think you know the benefits of your Chamber membership? Would you like to know more about how being a Chamber member can save your company money? Have you wondered how all of your staff could benefit from your company being a Chamber member?
The Leicestershire Chamber is holding an Open Day on Tuesday 23 October in which our members, and other companies interested in joining, can come along and meet the Chamber team as well as network with each other. Experts in the various chamber membership benefits, products and services will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
The Open Day will take place at the Ramada Hotel on Granby Street in Leicester between 10am and 1pm, everyone welcome. You are invited to register your planned attendance by emailing: jeffrey.s@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
RAISE THE PROFILE OF YOUR BUSINESS
Chamber members are invited to submit editorial and press releases to a Leicestershire business magazine – a great way to help raise the profile of your company.
Business Issues is a bi-monthly partnership magazine lead by the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and distributed to thousands of companies in and around the county. The magazine editor is currently looking for material which is newsy and informative on the following topics:
Legislation, environment, leisure, commercial property & regeneration, finances & the economy, motoring, environment, international trade, training & skills, technology.
In addition to the above each issue of the magazine will include a sector and area focus and for the November/December edition these will be:
Area focus: North West Leicestershire
Sector focus: Business Support
So, if your business is based in the north west of the county or if you provide some form of business support in Leicestershire, from training to mentoring, then submit your news for the next edition.
Please note that the deadline for this particular edition is September 7th and that items submitted for consideration should be of relevance to the local business community, informative and news-based rather than too specific to any one particular company or organisation.
Please submit your news and press releases by email to: farmer.s@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
BUSINESS MENTORS WANTED
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce has been working closely with The City of Leicester College, a specialist college for business and enterprise, to develop links between young people and local businesses. The college has set up a Business Academy for students in Y12 and Y13 and is looking for volunteers from local businesses to mentor students who have been specially selected for their business expertise, motivation and attitude. The aim is to provide the students with first hand knowledge of how business operates and Martin Traynor, Group MD at the Chamber, has already signed up to support this initiative as a business mentor. Students taking part in the Business Academy follow a BTEC National course in Business & Personal Finance alongside a personal timetable of other business type subjects such as law and accountancy. Working with mentors will enable students to develop their skills and confidence to prepare them for their future careers or continuing education.
Mentors are asked to meet with their student once or twice a term for the two years of the course. Ideally this should take place at the mentor's place of work. Meetings should last around an hour during which they can discuss the student's latest assignment or other employability issues such as CV writing or interview techniques. All mentors are provided with a complete programme of training and support from the college.
If you would like to become a Business Academy mentor please contact Hilary Foster, Deputy Head Teacher at The City of Leicester College, on Tel: 0116 241 3984 ext 277 or 07894 829588, or email at hilaryfoster@cityleicester.leicester.sch.uk.
MARKET VISIT TO SOUTH-WEST CHINA CHONGQING AND CHENGDU
The East Midlands China Business Bureau is inviting East Midlands' businesses to join its market visit to South-West China between 5th - 9th November 2007.
Part of the visit is a Matchmaking Event in Chengdu(capital city of Sichuan Province) from 8th - 9th November 2007. There you will have the opportunity to start relationships with Chinese companies, supported by an interpreter.
To register your interest or find out more, please contact Cheryl Cranness on Tel: 0116 257 5611 or Email: cherylcranness@emd.org.uk
GRANT OPPORTUNITY
The East Midland Development Agency (emda) have launched an Invitation to Apply for Grant Funding (IAGF) aimed at Local Action Groups (LAGs) to assist rural communities in improving the quality of life and economic prosperity of their local area. LAGs are public, private, voluntary and community sector partnerships, covering a coherent rural area (max 150,000 population) with a locally delegated 'bottom approach'. LAGs will fund and deliver small scale innovative projects identified through their Local Development Strategy based on the needs and priorities of their area - match funding will be required. Local Action Groups will be asked to complete an expression of interest before September 30th 2007. Following this LAGS will be invited to produce a more detailed Local Development Strategy by mid-December, with successful LAGs commencing delivery in early 2008.
Further details of this opportunity can be accessed at:
http://www.goem.gov.uk/goem/env-rural/reg-rural/ruralprog0713/?a=42496
FLOOD SUPPORT
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is working closely with emda and the Government Offices to assess the impact of the recent floods and plan the most effective and timely response.
Emda currently has a £500,000 Flood Recovery Scheme for SME's (£2500 per company) - details of which can be found at www.emda.org.uk or call Business Link on 0845 058 6644.
BERR has produced a fact sheet for businesses which outlines the various support schemes available, this can be downloaded at:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/regional/regional-dev-agencies/flood/page40623.html
QUEEN'S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE 2008
Does your company deserve the most prestigious award a UK business can win? Are you an individual who is enthusiastic about promoting enterprise in the East Midlands?
The Queen's Award for Enterprise is designed to celebrate and give industry-wide recognition to those companies and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in their field.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is inviting you to an evening awareness event for East Midlands companies on 20 September 2007 at Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire from 6pm to 9:30pm. Find out more about the awards and the benefits of applying at a candlelight supper tour of BolsoverCastle, where you will be able to hear from past winners and learn how to submit your application.
For more information and to register your interest for the awareness event visit: www.eventsforce.net/queensawards2008
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Maestro Christoph von Dohnanyi opens his final season as Principal Conductor with the Philharmonia Orchestra, with a dramatic programme including Strauss's Ein Heldenleben and Brahms's Piano Concerto No. 2 at De Montfort Hall, Leicester on Monday 18 September 2007, 7.30pm.
Click here for more information and booking details.
The Philharmonia Orchestra is proud to be a member of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.
FREE EVENT ON INNOVATION AND EXPLOITATION
Innovation Exploitation – Commercialising & Marketing Your Intellectual Property
Tuesday 25th September, 9am- 4pm, includes buffet lunch
Walkers Stadium,Leicester
So, you've got an invention or idea (intellectual property – IP) but how do you generate income from it? This free, full-day event, in partnership with the UK Intellectual Property Office and the British Library, will help you to gain knowledge and understanding of IP – such as patent, copyright, trademarks – and how they can be applied to every type of business. To register please call 0116 257 7372 or email: sgoldby@dmu.ac.uk
SUMMER BBQ AT WHITWELL HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE
Leicestershire Chamber is keen to encourage members to network, linking businesses of all sizes and sectors together to enable them to meet, exchange views and identify potential new business opportunities. The Chamber's summer networking luncheon, sponsored by The Business Booster, provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy an informal summer barbeque in the pretty setting of Whitwell Hotel & Conference Centre, who are kindly hosting this event.
Date: 22 August
Venue: Whitwell Hotel & Conference Centre, Whitwell, Oakham
Time: 12.00 noon – 2pm
Cost: Chamber Members £20 /Standard £25. Includes glass of wine or juice and BBQ food.
BEGINNER'S GOLF DAY
Are you a novice golfer? Would you like to learn?
Then why not join us on this new venture to find out the fundamentals of golf?
This great day will include breakfast and a light lunch; practical tuition by the club’s golf professionals; tips & techniques, what clubs to use, weight style and size; The play, experience and an opportunity to network amongst other business people.
Date: 4th September
Venue: Beedles Lake Golf Club, East Goscote, Leicestershire
Time: 8:30 am – 14.00 pm
Cost: £40.00
AN EVENING IN WITH MADAME SIN
Cynthia Payne's remarkable and original contribution to the world of entertainment has made her enterprises become renowned through block busting films and enduring media coverage. Whilst many of you would not choose to follow in her footsteps, her entrepreneurship and business acumen can be an inspiration to us all. Cynthia is an accomplished after dinner speaker and recently won the title of 'Ideal Dinner Guest' awarded by the BBC 'Good Food Show.'
Date: 11 September
Venue: The Ramada Hotel, Granby Street, Leicester
Time: 6pm - 8:30pm
Cost: Chamber Members £32.50 / Standard £42.50. Includes glass of wine on arrival and two-course meal.
CHAMBER GOLF DAY
The autumn corporate hospitality golf day will take place at Beedles Lake Golf Club in East Goscote. The event will include a superb day of golf along with breakfast and lunch. Players will be arranged into teams of 4 with a chance to win both individual and team prizes. All prizes on the day are sponsored by H.W. Chartered Accountants. The prize giving will take place in the conservatory overlooking a course that is an ideal venue for both experienced and novice golfers alike.
Date: 25 September
Venue: Beedles Lake Golf Club, East Goscote, Leicestershire
Time: 8:30 am – 4.30 pm
Cost: Chamber Members £49.50 /Standard £59.50
CHAMBER NETWORKING EVENING AT THE KILWORTH HOUSE HOTEL
Leicestershire Chamber is keen to encourage members to network, linking business of all sizes and sectors together to enable them to meet, exchange views and identify potential new business. Hosted by Kilworth House Hotel this event, sponsored by The Business Booster, gives members an opportunity to network and exchange company literature with fellow attendees over a glass of wine as well as see this Grade II listed venue and new theatre.
Date: 26 September
Venue: Kilworth House Hotel, North Kilworth
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Cost: Chamber Members £25 / Standard £35
All Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce networking events are sponsored by The Business Booster.
For more information on these Chamber events please call Kam Atker on Tel: 0116 204 6614 or alternatively you may visit the Chamber website at: www.chamberofcommmerce.co.uk and select What’s On/events