Digital launch for 2020 Black Country Business Festival

Today's opening featured live-stream feeds from individuals who were interviewed by Corin Crane, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce chief executive.

West Midland Mayor Andy Street launched the festival, which was put back from May due to the coronavirus pandemic and runs to October 15 featuring nearly 100 events.

He said the 2019 festival had been a time of optimism and confidence about the Black Country's prospects and no one had expected Covid-19.

Mr Street praised Black Country businesses for coping in an incredible way including turning manufacturing to make personal protective equipment for the NHS. He said the festival offered opportunities to exchange ideas and discuss the new post-Covid environment.

"I am very proud of the Black Country spirit," he added.

The speakers comprised a mix of live and recorded interviews and also included Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chamber of Commerce and Anita Bhalla, chairman of West Midlands Leadership Commission.

This year is the third Black Country Business Festival and Mr Crane explained: “Like all things Covid19-related, the festival has, in the main, successfully moved to being fully ‘hybrid’ in format. There are a handful of in-person and hybrid events in the programme but the majority are digital. There are nearly 100 free business events in total which really demonstrates the breadth, diversity, innovation and strength of the region.

“We have been bowled over by the engagement levels so far _ never has an initiative been more critical to those of the Black Country and beyond, providing the opportunity to collectively come together during these testing and challenging times, showcasing what is has to offer and present its united economic strength.

“By doing so, BCBF aims to place the region’s activities front and centre of the UK’s business agenda to drive inward investment and economic growth, through coherent, united and consistent outward promotion of the region’s business activities; whilst not least providing support, guidance and knowledge sharing to those who make up our business community – businesses themselves.

“The Festival will place Black Country businesses at the heart of UK business agenda through its demonstration of the region’s innovation, culture and commerce, it’s truly now a national event, that happens in the Black Country.”

Anita Bhalla said: “I think this festival is great. It shows that we can bring thousands of people together [metaphorically speaking]. It shows the imagination in the region and the sheer talent that exists. What we now need to do on the back of the festival is to build on it and there is a great potential to do that. So well done to everyone that has got behind this initiative.”

The festival is managed by Associate Events and events are all free and tickets must be booked in advance through the website www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com, which can be done right up until the day before the event.

There is a focus on attracting investment into the Black Country and organisers hope to attract business figures from across the UK and beyond to get involved this year.

Supporters on social media are encouraged to use the hashtags #thisistheblackcountry and #BCBF20