More than 20 events lined up as West Midlands business festival gathers pace
Organisers of a two-week business festival say the event is shaping up to be one of the region's biggest and most influential business-to-business events
The inaugural West Midlands Business Festival was launched by the region's Mayor Richard Parker last month and organisers say more than 20 events have already been registered on the 2025 festival’s calendar.
From March 3 until March 14 next year, the festival will offer small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the wider business community valuable opportunities to come together and help "turbocharge" economic growth across the region.
Venues in all parts of the region will host free conferences, workshops, networking sessions, exhibitions, product launches and showcases.
They cover essential topics like artificial intelligence, business growth and a special celebration of women in business to coincide with International Women’s Day.
The two-week festival organised by Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) is being backed by all three of the region’s Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), universities, and other business organisations.
“The first ever West Midlands Business Festival is a fantastic showcase of the creativity and innovation driving our region forward," said Richard Parker.
"It’s inspiring to see so many businesses, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders coming together to make the West Midlands the best place in the UK to start and grow a business.
"I want us to share ideas, inspire each other, and work together on new innovations that create real jobs, offer career-defining training opportunities for young people, and grow our economy in a way that benefits everyone.”
Organisers say there's still time for businesses to get involved by submitting event proposals through the festival’s website by the January 10 deadline. Event details do not need to be final at the time of submission - businesses can continue to refine content until the deadline.
Sian Roberts, sales and marketing lead for Black Country Chamber of Commerce and WMBF Steering Group Member, said: “We’re excited to see businesses collaborate throughout the festival’s two weeks and create a positive economic impact that lasts well beyond the festival. This is our chance to show the rest of the world that the West Midlands is the place for business innovation and opportunity.
"Thanks to all the businesses who’ve submitted their events so far. There’s still time to join in and host your own. We need everyone to get behind the festival and make it a real success.”
For businesses interested in hosting an event, organisers are running a series of How to Host workshops.
The first takes place online on Monday, 25th November, from 2pm-3pm.
In-person events will be held on Tuesday, 3rd December, from 10am, at Access to Business, 81 Tempest Street in Wolverhampton, and on Thursday, 12th December, from 11am, at Highlife Centre, WAVA Hall, 31 Barras Green in Coventry.
