West Suffolk Business Festival marking 10 years with virtual format

A festival which brings small local businesses together and features guest speakers and enlightening workshops is celebrating its 10th year.

The West Suffolk Business Festival, being held virtually this year, is usually a chance for business leaders to meet face-to-face and network.

But despite the fact this year the event is being run online, organisers still hope it proves to be as useful as ever.

Nic Pandolfi, marketing manager for Menta, who help to run the festival alongside the council, said it was a case of carrying on.

He said: “You can’t just surrender such an event. What it’s achieved in its 10 years, it’s achieved a great deal of connectivity for businesses across West Suffolk.”

He added: “It’s not ideal but it’s demonstrating that the wider business community is there and the support element for the wider business community is still there even if you’re not able to meet in person.”

Cllr John Griffiths, leader of West Suffolk Council, said he was proud of the work being done by the council and its partners in what has been a ‘challenging’ year.

He added: “In its 10th year, I would urge businesses to take part in our online events, so that together we can look forward, with hope, to a world beyond this pandemic, and build on the success and achievements that make West Suffolk such a great place to live and work.”

The festival starts on Monday at 9.30am with a virtual cutting of the ribbon, and will feature events throughout the week.

To find out more, visit: http://www.businessfestival.org/

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