Not every business has big growth ambitions. But for those that do, the challenge is often working out the ‘how’. How do you find funding?

How do you upskill your people? How did other businesses in a similar position do it?

If your business is based in Blackpool and you’re looking to grow, you’ll find lots of answers at this year’s Blackpool Growth 4 Business Conference on 26 November:

1. What funding is available for my business?

The British Business Bank and leading funders will be at the conference to help you explore the funding options available. By working with a range of funding partners you could get a cocktail of funding to help your business grow.

2. What help is there for women entrepreneurs?

Back Her Business is a national initiative run by NatWest which supports female entrepreneurship. NatWest will be here to talk about Back Her Business Blackpool, championing women entrepreneurs in the local economy.

3. What’s stopping you?

Often, growing a business is about eliminating barriers and overcoming obstacles. At the conference you’ll be able to talk to expert business advisors about the obstacles to your own growth aspirations. And when you book your first 1-2-1 session with a high growth business advisor, you’ll unlock an unlimited supply of practical help and support.

4. How do we make sustainable affordable?

Whether it’s compliance or a commitment to sustainability (or both) that’s behind your moves to save energy and work cleaner, unpicking what’s on offer isn’t easy. At the conference, you’ll be able to find out more
about North & Western Lancashire’s Chamber of Commerce Low Carbon initiative, and talk to MaCaW, the UCLan project funded by the European Regional Development Fund which helps local businesses overcome the challenges and barriers in moving towards a low carbon economic model. There’s grant funding available too.

5. How did you do it?

Sometimes, the simplest solutions to your business problems can be solved by asking someone who’s been there and done it before you. At Blackpool Growth 4 Business Conference, you’ll hear inspirational stories from successful businesses and get your questions answered.

6. How do I upskill my people?

When businesses grow, that growth isn’t simply a matter of scale. It’s about responding to evolving customer needs. It’s about introducing new products and services. And it’s about growing your efficiency. All of that
takes new skills – for apprentices, the workforce and your leaders and managers. Fortunately, you’ll find a packed agenda of skills development at the conference, together with the local bodies who can deliver training for you. Find the full agenda here

7. Where can I find new collaborators, partners and suppliers?

Every year, we hear stories of business owners who first started chatting at the conference, only for a chat to become a meeting and a meeting to become a collaboration. Meeting other local businesses isn’t simply a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours – it can be genuinely profitable too.

8. It’s FREE!

…And it’s an inspirational day in the suitably inspirational surroundings of the newly refurbished Spanish Hall at the Winter Gardens. Lunch is on us too.

Find out more and book now, and if you have business questions but won’t be able to make the event, book a 1-2-1 session with a high growth business advisor now on 01253 477147.