West Kent funding opportunities for small businesses

The Escalate scheme has recently made £5.5 million available to micro and small businesses in West Kent and is part of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. The aim of the scheme is to offer interest free loans to businesses that are experiencing growth and need funding to help them develop further and create new jobs.

The Regional Growth Fund 

The Regional Growth Fund was created by Government to help regional businesses and economies expand. So far, over £1 billion has been made available with around 3,500 firms benefiting from the funding. Aiming to help local businesses protect or create jobs, build on creativity and strengthen their business through investment, the scheme invites local businesses to apply for the fund via their local scheme.

The West Kent Partnership looks after the Escalate fund for the area around the A21 corridor, it hopes to create around 1,250 new jobs in the area through around 150 companies. With business finance still a major issue for many small and micro businesses the programme is looking to support those businesses that are growing, but may be struggling to find the means to accelerate as quickly as they want.

First business receives support

Great news then for DotImpact, who are the first business to receive funding from the Escalate programme. Established to support SME’s that want to increase their online presence but don’t have the budget or expertise to do so, DotImpact is a full service marketing agency that offers a range of services from website design, email marketing, social media & SEO, digital marketing strategies to traditional branding design and print. Amanda Robinson, MD, of DotImpact commented, “Now we have the support of the Escalate fund, our plan is to create employment opportunities within the business with the aim to help further SMEs in Kent achieve their growth potential”

West Kent B2B offering advice and tips on applications

The West Kent B2B on the 30th April at the River Centre in Tonbridge, is backed by the West Kent Partnership. On the day there will be opportunities to hear more about the Escalate programme and how your business could benefit from its’ funding solutions. The event is free to attend and along with local and county-wide exhibitors there is a fantastic programme of key-note speakers and workshops - all with a definite slant to the small business sector. If you pre-register there is also the opportunity to gain free advertising for your business via the on-site screens and a welcome coffee as well. 

To find out more and how to register your place click here.

Dame Kelly Holmes to open West Kent B2B 

Exciting news for the West Kent B2B event as Dame Kelly Holmes has been confirmed to open proceedings on the 30th April at the River Centre in Tonbridge. As a double Olympic Champion Dame Kelly has been an inspiration to many people both on and off the athletics track. Although now retired from the world of track and field, Dame Kelly is still determined to push herself physically and mentally, recently taking part in a Duathlon, an event which combines the disciplines of running and cycling. Aside from sports Dame Kelly is venturing into the world of food, drink and retail by starting her own Cafe in Hildenborough and developing a chain of frozen yoghurts and juice bars. Alongside this, her charity, the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust helps "Get lives on track" through the mentoring from world class sports stars. She recently hosted an event at the River Centre that celebrated the success of the Trust with young people from Kent.

Offering opportunities to all types and sizes of business

With the West Kent B2B event entitled “Leading the Way” Dame Kelly Holmes is the perfect choice –an exemplary sports star intent on developing young lives across the county and beyond. 

Offering industry leading speakers and advice

West Kent B2B is so much more than an exhibition; it is an event that plans to offer advice, information and share knowledge. It is an event where you can give your contacts list a boost by meeting a range of diverse, interesting businesses through speed networking. Or, gain insight through attending the keynote speaker sessions given by industry leaders and find out how to apply their lessons to your business, increasing your sales and profitability. Speakers booked for this year’s event include marketing expert Barnaby Wynter, dynamic entrepreneur Daniel Priestley, media guru Stuart Smith and social media expert Katie King. Tailored specifically for the West Kent market this event also offers insightful workshops and will bring together local and county wide firms, connecting businesses and offering advice for all sizes and types of business. 

West Kent B2B is backed by the West Kent Partnership, the economic partnership for the council areas of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells and sponsored by Caxtons, one of the leading Chartered Surveyors in the South East.  There will also be the opportunity to hear about “Escalate”, an interest free loan available across West Kent, Maidstone and East Sussex. The event is run by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executive, Jo James commented, “These B2B events are really high quality, engaging and informative. They offer businesses not only the opportunity to meet and network with a huge range of local and Kent wide firms, but also the chance to gain invaluable insight from leading business speakers – a must in the diary of any local business.”

A great day for businesses locally, regionally and nationally, find out more and book your FREE place now - not only will you get £100 FREE advertising but a FREE welcome coffee as well.

5 basics to help you maximise your returns from B2B exhibitions

Want to know how to make every penny count for you at exhibitions?  Need to prove to the boss that exhibitions work and can bring in great new contacts as well as business opportunities? As with any event, if you get the foundations right, the likelihood is that the event is going to, not only, be a great success but also bring in the results that you are looking for. Since the recession first hit back in 2008, and through the intervening years and even now with the economy seemingly back on track, businesses need to ensure that every bit of expenditure has a demonstrable return - and events have certainly been no different. Take a look at some of the golden rules of making a success of your exhibition.

Make sure you know what it is that your business wants from the exhibition

It sounds pretty obvious doesn't it? But it’s surprising how many people head off to their exhibition stand with no clear, defining reason for going. Is it purely to make some new contacts or would you like to forge relationships with potential new suppliers? Is it a great forum in which to meet up with existing clients and talk through their future business? Do you want to take advantage of the speakers on offer and networking opportunities? Or, as with most exhibitors is it a bit of all of the above? Well, the secret to a successful event lies in the preparation and planning prior to the actual event. It’s simply not good enough to book your space, make sure you have some marketing and turn up. Think about the reasons for exhibiting beforehand and plan the details as to what you expect to gain from it. 

Look at the details 

It’s great to have the bigger picture in mind but with exhibitions a lot of the success is also down to the finer details - the thought that has been put into the space and promotion of your business and products.  One of the most important details is working out how you are going to record and track the contacts that you make, not only do you need their details, it’s also useful to note what their interest is in relation to your business. 

Make your marketing count

As you might have gathered so far – meticulous planning is key – but not just for pre and at the event, planning after the event is also a must – following up leads and thanking all those who visited your stand. Creating an integrated tactical plan enables your marketing to be developed along a theme that ties with your corporate, strategic business plan, meaning that your messages both at the event and through your other marketing channels are harmonious. Know your target audience, plan you promotional message and deliver marketing that makes add value and makes a difference.

Manage your time and other people’s well

Make sure your time is well managed, delegate when necessary and ask for help. The very best stands are well managed with the right number of enthusiastic, positive people and as great as it is to be a strong, organised manager, their also a real need to be a great team player when attending events. You alone cannot keep the stand running and working productively all day. Make sure that alongside you are a strong team of knowledgeable, professional people who are well briefed to look after the stand, throughout the day. A positive attitude is a must have and ensuring those around you have a similar mentality means that any challenges become opportunities and outcomes are generally far more positive.

Make post-event follow-up a priority

You've organised a brilliant stand, had lots of positive comments, made new contacts and learnt tonnes from the keynote speakers, so, you think the hard work’s done? No, not quite, this is as important a stage as the pre-planning or the actual event. It’s time to work though all those new contacts, get them uploaded onto your database and start developing your relationship with them. Along with ensuring you have recorded them all and contacted any clients that requested more information or to book meetings, it is essential to follow up all those that visited you with a thank you.

Plan, plan then plan a little more is really the key message of becoming a successful, results orientated exhibitor who profits from their exhibition plans. Remember to maintain an optimistic outlook, keep your sense of humor and learn from your experiences this year – your business will see the fruit of your work and your next exhibition will be even bigger and better. 

So, there's the basics, want to find out more? Come along to the free workshop then on 8th April at 70 Churchill Square Business Centre, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, to get more sound advice and tips on making your exhibitions work for your business.

30 April - The River Centre, Tonbridge