Running a business involves a steady stream of decisions, usually with little time to research them. Choosing a new supplier, working out what AI could do for your operations, getting to grips with hiring, funding or marketing: each is a project in its own right, and each usually starts with hours of research before you reach anyone who can actually help.
The Business Show London aims to make that process quicker. It takes place on 11th and 12th November at Excel London, and the organisers describe it as the world’s largest business event for SMEs and startups. Their figures for the event are around 25,000 visitors, 500 exhibitors, 200 speakers and 90 hours of content, all in one place over two days.
Who Is It For?
The event is aimed at business owners, founders, entrepreneurs and startups. That covers a wide range, from someone preparing to launch a first venture to an established company looking to grow or protect what it has built. What most visitors have in common is a wish for practical advice and for suppliers that suit a business of their size.
The Conference Programme
The seminar programme includes more than 150 expert-led sessions, covering subjects such as AI and technology, HR, insurance, operations, finance and marketing. The sessions look at the trends, strategies and challenges facing business owners at the moment.
The speaker line-up includes people from well-known organisations, among them Microsoft, Google, Barclays, TikTok, ITV and Sainsbury’s Argos. It can be useful to hear how both large and small businesses approach the same questions, and the question-and-answer sessions give you an opportunity to raise your own situation.
There are also masterclasses, which offer mentoring and expert teaching from industry organisations in a smaller setting than the main seminar stages. These must be booked in advance, so it is worth registering early if one of them relates to something you are working on.
Meeting Suppliers In Person
Around 500 exhibitors will be showing products and services across the same areas as the conference programme. Many visitors find this the most useful part of the day. Being able to compare providers, ask direct questions and see a product in use gives a much clearer picture than a website or a sales email can. If you are weighing up a decision on software, insurance, recruitment support or marketing services, it is far easier to narrow the field when you can speak to several suppliers within the same afternoon.
Speed Networking
The programme also includes a speed networking session, which allows you to meet professionals from a range of sectors within a short space of time. Spaces are limited, so it is advisable to reserve a place before the event. It is a useful option if you would like to make new contacts in a more structured way than chance conversations in the aisles allow, and it can help you find potential customers, collaborators and others who have dealt with similar challenges.
Getting the Most from Two Days
A short amount of preparation makes a visit more productive:
- Look through the seminar agenda beforehand and mark the sessions most relevant to your business.
- Register early for any masterclasses and for speed networking, as places are limited.
- Write down your three or four biggest business questions, and use them to decide which exhibitors to visit.
- Leave some time unplanned, as useful conversations often come from stands and sessions you had not intended to visit.
- Follow up within a week, while the conversations are still fresh.
Register For Your Free Ticket
The Business Show London takes place on 11th and 12th November at Excel London, and as a partner of the event we are pleased to encourage you to attend. Tickets are free, and the two days offer a worthwhile opportunity to learn from experienced speakers, meet suppliers and make new contacts.
