\n\t\t\tBUSINESSES are set to come together in the West Midlands once again next year.<\/p>\n
The Region\u2019s Mayor, Richard Parker, announced the West Midlands Business Festival is to return in 2026 following the huge success of its inaugural event earlier this year.\n<\/p>\n
Between February 2 and 13 February, thousands of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the wider business community will get another opportunity to come together for a fortnight of inspiration, innovation, learning, showcasing, and networking.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s festival \u2013 the first to be organised for the Mayor by Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) \u2013 smashed all expectations with 1,500 businesses getting involved and 4,000 tickets booked for the impressive line-up of 100 events.<\/p>\n
\nMr Parker said: \u201cSMEs are the foundations of our economy and this festival is about bringing them together to learn, collaborate, and celebrate the successes that will get our economy firing on all cylinders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe response to this year\u2019s event was phenomenal so we\u2019re bringing it back in 2026 \u2013 bigger, bolder, and even better.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Thousands of businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs who attended events at the inaugural festival back in March helped make it the biggest and most influential event of its kind ever to be held in the region.<\/p>\n
Those attended highlighted the value of the networking opportunities offered by the event while two thirds said they would implement changes in their businesses thanks to the knowledge they picked up.<\/p>\n
Businesses can apply to host an event as part of the next year\u2019s West Midlands Business Festival \u2013 this can involve incorporating their existing business activities into the festival\u2019s schedule or creating new events.<\/p>\n
They can cover any business-related topic, ranging from seminars and insight events to product launches.<\/p>\n
All events are encouraged to be free to attend to remove barriers for participants, including those early in their careers or in education.<\/p>\n
Business Growth West Midlands is run by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and delivered in partnership by local councils.<\/p>\n