10 November 2006
Geldof confirmed for NW Region"s biggest business event
B2BNW incorporating BEX conference to double participants on last year's SME event.
Geldof is one of a number of inspirational figures lined up for B2B North West, featuring the well-established Business Enterprise Xchange (BEX) conference, which takes place at G-Mex in Manchester on 22nd and 23rd November 2006.
B2BNW/BEX is a joint venture made up of two companies headed by powerful female entrepreneurs. Bron Ellis, director of B2B Portfolio, and BEX project director Marcie Incarico - CEO of Manchester based Out There Events - have joined forces, combining B2B's national profile and the regional profile of BEX. "Working in partnership with B2B Portfolio takes this event to another level and we are confident that B2B will attract significant numbers of exhibitors who want to market themselves to owners, directors and entrepreneurs in the region. The BEX conference will continue to attract some of the country's leading business experts and entrepreneurs covering the key topics which affect today's growing businesses," says Marcie. "The partnership between BEX, which has been a major date on the business community's calendar for the past four years and B2B creates the largest NW business event."
The event is free to attend and the new team aims to double the numbers of both exhibitors and attendees this year from last year's BEX event.
Geldof will be talking about his passion and motivations and how they apply to his business interests. In what promises to be a thought-provoking address he will outline how he motivates everyone he comes into contact with, whether through his Ten Alps communications business or his campaigning work, to achieve his objectives.
Estimated to be worth £35m - amassed mainly through his share in Ten Alps and his stake in Castaway Television Productions - Geldof has a long standing interest in television and the many opportunities it presents for business development.
"Business is like life," says Geldof. "You move forward or you die. Standing still is not an option and going back is the end. Forward movement, that is progress, requires constant change and adaptation, learning and new knowledge. Innovation is the essence of life."
Joining Geldof on the programme will be Jacqueline Gold, Chief Executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox and over fifty business and industry experts sharing their advice and experiences on topics including raising finance, sales and marketing, ICT and people management.
Bron Ellis: "The small and medium sized enterprise (SME) market is so diverse and it is difficult to reach via traditional marketing channels. Our combined expertise will provide a unique event in the North West which will give businesses a central point for sourcing information, practical advice and inspiration and an opportunity to find new suppliers and concepts to make businesses run more effectively and efficiently. It is also a highly accessible event as entry to both the conference and exhibition is free."
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council commented: "I am delighted to welcome B2B North West to Manchester, now officially the UK's number one city for business. BEX has a proven track record of helping businesses to share ideas, inspiration and innovation, which I'm sure the enlarged event will be able to build on. Manchester City Council recognises the fundamental importance of a thriving business community to a successful city region and we strongly support this event."
Added Mark Hughes, NWDA Executive Director of Enterprise, Innovation and Skills: "England's Northwest has a proud history of enterprise and entrepreneurship and the NWDA is committed to maintaining a dynamic and competitive business environment in the region. This is why we welcome regional events such as this, which provide significant opportunities for businesspeople to meet and share best practice and receive valuable advice on the best way to build better, stronger business."
Also welcoming the enlarged and enriched event is Andrew Stokes of Marketing Manchester. "As a leading conference destination, Manchester continues to attract large scale events. The City is increasingly recognised as a major European destination, supported by a number of high class businesses and facilities. B2BNW will further endorse Manchester's forward thinking ethos and appeal to those looking to discover more about business development."
With the support of The Sunday Times as media partner and EDF Energy as event sponsors, a fully integrated and high profile marketing and PR campaign will ensure decision-makers will visit the conference.
For exhibitor opportunities contact the event manager Luke Neel on 0845 226 3050 or visit www.b2bnorthwest.co.uk
For further information contact Geraldine Vesey or Kate Davies at SKV PR 0161 236 9909 firstname.lastname@skvpr.co.uk
Ends
Notes to editors
• B2B Portfolio hosts seven scheduled business events throughout the UK www.b2bportfolio.co.uk. Is is headed by Nick James, former Group Hsow Director for the Daily Mail Group, responsible for the Ideal Home Show and Bron Ellis, who spent 14 years in senior sales and marketing roles at Reuters.
• BEX, now in its fifth year, is backed by Manchester City Council www.bexnw.net
• Geldof is currently non-executive director of Ten Alps, television production and PR Company, which has made a variety of successful documentary programmes including Catherine the Great and Dispatches. The company produces about thirty television programmes a year as well as radio shows and three hundred printed publications.
• Geldof was also responsible for the online holiday booking website Deckchair.com having become frustrated with existing holiday booking methods. He says "The Deckchair.com idea came about when I was trying to get tickets to take my kids to Disneyland in Florida. The prices were completely outrageous, and I couldn't understand how a normal family could afford them." Geldof eventually sold the site at the height of the dot.com crash in 2001 for around £9m.