Women Outside the Box (WOTB), Bristol’s festival of female entrepreneurship, will be encouraging women to take the plunge and think big when setting up in business with its theme this year of ‘She Who Dares’.
Exhibitor bookings for its October 7 event have already started with a special ‘early bird’ offer av
ailable until May 31.
Taking place at Bristol’s Arnolfini, the event is set to attract more than 1,000 women, building on last year’s 700-plus attendees.
Exhibitors will have a unique and cost-effective opportunity to reach a large female audience under one roof. Whether they provide business-to-businesses services such as accountancy support or conferencing facilities or are selling products such as jewellery and gift items in the event’s dedicated ‘market hall’ shopping area.
Discounts on full prices are available to organisations confirming attendance before Friday May 31. Market stall spaces can booked for £55 plus VAT, while business-to-business exhibition stands are available for £200 plus VAT during the ‘early bird’ period.
Complementing the dedicated business services exhibition area and ‘market hall’ will be a programme of expert speaker and advice sessions covering everything from how to market your business to top tips for doing business overseas and how to impress potential investors.
Last year’s event was supported by business and enterprise minister Michael Fallon and newly-elected mayor of Bristol George Ferguson and proved worthwhile for those taking part.
Exhibitor Ros Hitchen, partner at The Accelerator Sessions, said of last year’s event: “An excellent festival, it had a great buzz about it. I got the impression lots of business was being done and connections being made, which is what it was all about of course. We offered a special discount on our Accelerator Business Coaching to attendees and have had several sign ups already!”
In addition to the opportunity to exhibit at the Women Outside the Box Festival, there is also the chance to receive further profile and exposure by becoming a sponsor.
Sponsors already confirmed include Bristol solicitors Gregg Latchams at gold level and The Beauty Event at bronze level. Bronze, silver and gold packages are available.
Head of SME engagement at cloud accounting specialists Free Agent, Matt Perkins, added: “The 2012 event was a resounding success for us with a real buzz and excitement throughout the day. The seminar we ran gave us great exposure to potential customers and with our stand in the exhibition hall we were able to converse directly with those interested parties and answer their questions.
“We were so impressed with the event and the support we received from the WOTB team both before and during the day of the event. Women-owned businesses are a growing force in the SME arena and WOTB gives businesses like us the opportunity to tap into that exciting movement.”
Plans are underway to run the festival in additional cities from 2014 onwards, providing an opportunity for businesses with a network of UK offices to exhibit and/or sponsor in cities beyond Bristol and the South West.
To book exhibition space please visit http://wotb13.eventbrite.co.uk/ or to find out more about sponsorship please email Festival Director Joni Farthing at wotbfestival@gmail.com.
