I look forward to catching up with some familiar faces and meeting new ones.

Feel free to pass this email on to a friend or colleague.

EAST OF ENGLAND CONFERENCE

31st October 2007
9.30am - 4.30pm
Chilford Hall, Linton, Cambridgeshire, CB1 6LE

This fantastic WiRE conference will take you on a journey through all the stages of business, from the
first seeds of an idea, to businesses close to the top of their game. With inspirational speakers to
illustrate every phrase plus new skills to learn and take back to truly invigorate your business.

New and medium sized business speakers will give you an insight into how to be successful at this formative stage of business.

How can my business grow?

Networking seminar and business seminar to give you the tools to go into overdrive.

Where do I want my business to be?

Motivational and big business speakers to help you set your sights high.

Be Informed…

1) Speed Networking Session

Lively session that will not let you gravitate towards those you already know, you’ll have five minutes to talk to a potential
contact, then decide if you want to follow up opportunities later.

2) Think like an entrepreneur, think your way to success

Network…

Rural Marketplace on the road!

This is the live version of the online WiRE Rural Marketplace, featuring the huge diversity of women in rural enterprise - imaginative, original and innovative.

You can network with and quiz these inspirational women, browse inspiring products and find expert solutions and services. In addition there will be business expert stands, from HSBC Card Services to local business providers and Business Link.

Download pdf Itinerary and booking form

Are you enterprising, could you be an entrepreneur? You must decide what you want, why you want it and how you plan to achieve it. This seminar will help you focus your thoughts enabling you to set clear and achievable goals and overcome any of the fears and obstacles that may be standing in the way of starting or growing a business. Plus a fantastic locally sourced lunch and networking extravaganza. Places are limited - visit www.wireuk.org to book!

Farm Shop Workshop - Gaining & Keeping Customers
- A workshop for those already running a farm shop or thinking of doing so 

Wednesday 26th September 2007
10.00am to 4.00pm
HFG Farm Shop
Nth Walsham Rd, Beeston St Andrew, Norwich,
NR12 7BW

The Farm Shop:
A chance to look around the farm shop and facilities with a talk by Judy Taylor, Director of HFG, covering her own experiences of turning this shop into the great success it is today
Farm Shop Design & Layout:
Tips on how to attract customers into your shop, encourage those all important purchases and increase the average spend. (Gareth Jones, FARMA)
Support for Farm Shops:
Mike Richardson of EBLEX: an insight into support for distribution, marketing and butchery
How Big is the Market in this Area? Who’s buying what in this area -
Paul Mayfield of the Food Chain Centre talks on customer buying patterns in this region drawing on extensive market research into food purchasing habits
Adding Value:
Recipe development for higher value offerings in your shop (Mike Richardson, EBLEX) and selling fruit & vegetables locally – a real success story; local veg to local schools (Sam Frosdick)

• Download Booking form and directions as a word document
• Download Booking form and directions as a pdf document
  
  

Norfolk Tourism – ‘Learn Today Use Tomorrow Training’
Autumn Programme Announced

Norfolk Tourism has announced a packed autumn programme of eleven ‘Learn Today Use Tomorrow’ (LTUT) workshops for the county’s tourism businesses.

LTUT is a training initiative from Norfolk Tourism, supported by EEDA through the ‘Towards 2010 Programme’. The need for these practical workshops has been identified to help businesses maintain a competitive edge. All the trainers have hands-on experience in their particular subject. The cost for tourism businesses is from £25+VAT and includes lunch.

To book a LTUT workshop or for further information click on ‘Tourism Training’ on www.visitnorfolk.co.uk or contact David Wood, tel. 0208 123 9229, email david@learntodayusetomorrow.co.uk.

Crispian Emberson, Norfolk Tourism Director said: “Tourism is a fiercely competitive industry The aim of our Learn Today Use Tomorrow programme, is to provide value for money courses, which give delegates tips and techniques that they can implement immediately and keep their businesses ahead of the game.”

The full programme is:

Monday, September 17, Marketing to Attract More Visitors, Old Vicarage, East Ruston, with John Veverka. Alan Gray and Graham Robeson open their garden to learn from John’s experience, gathered from 30 years working in the tourism industry in the USA and UK. The workshop includes a tour of the garden, and is aimed at anyone attracting visitors including visitor attractions, accommodation and restaurants.

Tuesday, September 18, Marketing & Services for Volunteers, Broad House Hotel, Wroxham, with John Veverka. A workshop with best practice advice for volunteers working with local tourism businesses

Wednesday, September 19, Brochure Design, Norwich, with John Veverka. Does your brochure sell your business? This is a must for anyone with a brochure, marketing planning and initiatives included.

Thursday, September 20, Attracting the Group Market, The George Hotel, Swaffham, with John Veverka. How to raise your profile in the group market, a workshop for any tourism business that would like to attract more coach business.

Monday, September 24, How to Make the Headlines, with the team at Archant, Prospect House, Norwich. From writing a press release to running a campaign, Archant gives you an insight into the media’s work.

Tuesday, September 25, Cutting Your Energy Bills, Whitlingham Country Park, with Jason Borthwick and David Wood. An essential money saving course – cutting tariffs, energy saving instruments and working out your carbon footprint.

Wednesday, September 26, Making the Menu Local, Hill House Farm, East Harling, with Mary Kemp. Tops menu tips and marketing ideas with local produce. Cheese and wine tasting with Vanessa and Les Scott of Strattons Hotel.

Thursday, September 27, Web Marketing and Optimisation, Whitlingham Country Park, with Shorthose Russell and Business Link – practical web design and marketing techniques for any tourism business.

Tuesday, October 2, Take the Perfect PR Picture, County Hall, Norwich, with Adam Scorey, feature photographer. A workshop that will show you how to provide good images for your website or brochure.

Tuesday, October 9, Fire Risk, What risk? County Hall, Norwich, with RHB Resources. This workshop will help you understand and comply with the new fire regulations.

Tuesday, November 6, Running a Successful Self-Catering Business, Norfolk Mead Hotel, Coltishall, with Jane Shulver. Jane (Norfolk Tourism Chair 2003 –05) has hands on experience through the self-catering agency Norfolk Country Cousins and her own holiday cottage. From marketing plans to legal requirements, this workshop will provide quality advice to help.

Norfolk Tourism is also working with the Learning and Skills Council and EEDA to promote the Profit Through Productivity programme. For a one off payment of £99 + vat, businesses receive benchmarking, one-to-one business improvement sessions and best practice workshops.
Further information from David Wood, tel 0208 123 9229.

Norfolk Tourism is the county's established public and private industry partnership. Funded by its 45 partner organisations and EEDA, the partnership is designed to act as a forum for all Norfolk's tourism businesses and local authorities, www.visitnorfolk.co.uk, tel. 01603 222846. See our free to use image library at www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/norfolk/image-library.aspx.