Bristol’s biggest virtual business showcase will next week highlight many of the city’s firms that innovating in the age of coronavirus.
The Bristol Business Festival on Wednesday and Thursday promises “high-value content, great engagement and the positive boost we all need in these challenging times”, according to its organisers. 
It will give delegates the chance to hear a range of experienced speakers share their expertise, gain advice on coaching, learn new skills and network – all online.
The festival is the brainchild of event organiser Franco de la Croix-Vaubois, who co-organised the successful MEET South West event in Bristol for the region’s corporate meetings industry.
Franco, pictured, who also runs the Event Organisers Network, recently staged a similar festival in Bath using the same Hopin virtual event platform, which allows delegates to view presentations, attend break-out sessions and network.
He has secured the Amazon UK Small Business Accelerator and Enterprise Nation, the small business support network, as participants, promising a “fast-paced, interactive, dynamic event, with expert speakers and hands-on sessions designed to equip you and adapt your business for the months to come.”
He added: “The virtual event element allows you to pick the areas that are most relevant to you and your business, to dip in and out according to your own work schedule, all from the comfort of your own home/office.” 
The festival runs from 9.30am to 2pm on both days, with masterclasses from 2pm-5pm each day.
It will include:
- 10 business segments to cover the whole of the Bristol economy
- 10 keynote speakers for the big picture
- 10 expert panels to in-depth discussions, Q&A, help and support
- A business expo
- Speed networking throughout the day
- Six training masterclasses for key areas of business – sales; marketing; mindset; virtual events on Hopin, ops & admin and business continuity & resilience
Enterprise Nation CEO Emma Jones MBE will speak on the first day, with a keynote looking at the current landscape for small businesses, outlining the opportunities for growth and resilience-building.
Enterprise Nation is a community of more than 75,000 small businesses, all of whom are doing amazing things and are delighted be supporting the Bristol Business Festival.
Emma, pictured, said “2020 has been a turbulent time for small business. Enterprise Nation has launched the Amazon Small Business Accelerator to help people start, grow and turbo charge their businesses through online learning, bootcamp experiences, offers and more.” 
Other speakers will include Kathryn Davis, head of tourism at Destination Bristol, Ben Shorrock, product development manager of inward investment group Invest Bath and Bristol, David Kelly, CEO of Bath digital agency Storm Consultancy, and Alison Allen, head of private client sector at Stone King Solicitors.
Franco added: “The solutions are out there and it is by coming together, sharing ideas, expertise and coming out of industry-siloed thinking that we will adapt and move forward.
“It is wonderful to see so many businesses get involved and just goes to show there is a real positivity, creativity and innovation out there, to help Bristol get back to business.
“A big thank you to all our sponsors and supporters that have enabled us to make this festival happen, with high-value content, great engagement, and a positive boost we all need in these challenging times.”
He said their involvement had enabled it to give free tickets to anyone who is either furloughed or unemployed. Additionally, 10% of ticket sales will go to Changes Bristol, the mental health support organisation.
For tickets to Bristol Business Festival click here
