Businesses wishing to run an event in the 2019 Black Country Business Festival have just one month left to submit their applications.

The Business Festival, taking place from 13 to 24 May, is expected to comprise more than 100 events in total.

These are staged by local businesses and organisations to help other companies to learn, develop or experience new aspects of business. There will be everything from conferences, seminars, expos or workshops to new product demonstrations and premises tours.

Anyone can apply to hold an event in the Festival – which can be about anything - and it is completely free to do so. Applications must be made via the website, www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com/apply by 4 March.

An on-line webinar is being held on Tuesday 12 February from 2-3pm to help with the event application process. This is also free and details of how to join are on the home page of the Black Country Business Festival website.

The Business Festival was established and seed-funded by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce to help local businesses to grow and develop.

Chief executive, Corin Crane, said,

“We want this year’s Business Festival to be even bigger and better than last year and we are trying to make it as easy as possible for people to apply by providing as much information as we can.

"For anyone who missed the workshop in December and can’t take part in the online webinar next week, there is also loads of helpful information on the website.

“There are many benefits to running an event in the Festival - is a great way to generate new leads and contacts, raise awareness and build personal and business profiles both within the Black Country and beyond. In 2018, there were more than 4,200 attendees to the Business Festival and we’re aiming for even more this year.

“We would like to see lots of really fantastic business events again, making a diverse and exciting programme that will be truly representative of the Black Country’s outstanding culture, commerce and investment potential.”

As soon as events are approved, they go on the website for people to book on to.

Already the programme includes a really useful workshop for those who need help to combat stage fright when presenting. Run by Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on 23 May, delegates will receive tips and techniques on public speaking from a trained actor.

The Black Country Chamber is one again, running a big Business Expo at GTG West Midlands in Wolverhampton on 22 May. Exhibiting opportunities are still available through the Chamber. There are also business golf days, bid writing workshops and recruitment masterclasses programmed in and new events are being added all the time.

Events are mostly completely free and open to anyone to attend.

In its second year, the Business Festival is being supported by a number of outstanding partners and sponsors. Talbots Law, DY5 - Dudley’s Business and Innovation Enterprise Zone, Birmingham Airport, Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and Black Country Growth Hub are all Festival partners, whilst Casino 36 have confirmed their commitment for the next two years as a sponsor. Official Business Festival supporters include Wolverhampton Racecourse; Crowe; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and Think Sandwell. The Express and Star and outdoor media experts, Elonex, are media partners. The Festival programme is managed by Associate Events.

To find out more about sponsorship or for more information, visit www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com, email hello@blackcountrybusinessfestival.com or call 01902 912304.