BARNSLEYWORKS 2010 – A BUSINESS SUCCESS

Business to business expo, Barnsleyworks 2010 saw hundreds of local businesses converge on Barnsley Metrodome to network and receive valuable business support and advice. Over fifty companies took exhibition stands to promote their products and services.

The seminar programme highlights included BBC Apprentice finalist Ruth Badger and Freeserve co-founder, Rob Wilmot, both of whom addressed the delegate audience on ensuring business success whatever the economic climate.

The day was also boosted by the participation of IT giant, Microsoft who signed up eligible companies to receive thousands of pounds worth of free IT support. Barnsley was one of three towns in Britian successful in it’s entry to the Microsoft Britain Works Challenge and received the silver award.

The headline sponsors of the business to business event were Barnsley Development Agency (BDA) and the Work and Skills Board. The Works and Skills Board kindly offered up their own exhibition stand in a competition that gave local companies the opportunity to win the stand to showcase their business to hundreds of delegates. The compeition was won by Welbeck Retail Management.

John Foster of the Work and Skills Board commented: “The Work and Skills Board exists to influence strategic thinking in the town, to support local businesses and individuals and encourage them to thrive and a day like today goes a long way to helping with that aim. We are very pleased to have been a main sponsor and are delighted to see local businesses coming together under one roof to engage with each other, do some valuable networking and leave with lots of new contacts.”

Carol Cooper Smith of Barnsley Development Agency added: “The event has offered companies a great opportunity to receive free advice from some real experts in their field. The seminar programme was varied, with topics ranging from Digital Marketing to Employment Law and all who attended have made very positive comments about their experience. Because the event is in its third year it has been important to evolve it and keep it fresh and relevant – judging by the response today, we’ve achieved this and we’re very pleased to have been a main sponsor.”

Other sponsors of BarnsleyWorks included Business Link Yorkshire, IT specialist Bull TCL, Enterprising Barnsley and Barnsley Premier Leisure. With a special thanks to Morrland Plastics for their support of this year’s event.