Yorkshire businesses flock to Leeds Chamber event to find out how to grow

Nov. 28, 2011 - PRLog -- The Business Growth Expo 2011 was aimed at owner/managers of SMEs going for growth in 2012 and was part of a new range of events and services being launched by http://www.yourchamber.org.uk/ to help the region’s businesses.

At Friday’s event, held at the Royal Armouries, business owner/managers listened to keynote speaker Todd Hannula, chief executive of Shine business centre (pictured) who discussed ‘The Hyper Growth SME or being the first on the dance floor’.

Mr Hannula spoke about arriving in Yorkshire from his native United States with his Wakefield-born wife and young family after a successful career at AT&T. After exploring various business routes, he defined his direction and turned his focus to developing a social enterprise which became the award-winning Shine centre in Harehills, Leeds. Based in a completely refurbished and listed Victorian building, Shine has been open for some three years now and continues to attract a variety of commercial and creative businesses.

Delegates also attended workshops focussing on three key themes - financing ambitions and signposting where to go, accessing the best business advice and support, and developing a competitive edge through sales and marketing.

Gary Williamson, chief executive of Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber, said: “We were pleased to see such a high number of small and medium sized businesses at our event on Friday.  

“It is important, especially at a time when businesses need support with growth, financing and marketing, that we are highly visible and are seen to be responding to their needs.

“The Business Expo event in Leeds presented us with the opportunity to speak directly with owners of SMEs to hear about their plans and establish their ongoing requirements so that we can better position our services to meet their needs.

“We were very pleased with the turnout on Friday and the variety of firms and support functions that attended both the exhibition and seminars run by experts. The good turnout demonstrates to us that businesses are keen to find out how to improve their current provision and see growth as essential for success.”

For more information, please visit: www.yourchamber.org.uk

Ends

For further information please contact Emma Kirkaldy at The Smart Agency on
01423 876 371 or emma@thesmartagency.co.uk
Images are available from Smart Agency.

Notes to editors:
Todd Hannula
Todd was a self-confessed “corporate boob”, before moving to Yorkshire and making things happen.

He is a co-founder and CEO of Leeds-based social entrepreneurial platform for change Shine a place where people are inspired to make things happen; located in the heart of a challenged neighbourhood, trying to raise aspirations and create real opportunities.

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The Chamber
With over 2,000 members, Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is a membership organisation providing business services to companies of all sizes in the region.

The Chamber’s number one objective is to make businesses better. Its wide range of events and training opportunities facilitate the sharing of best practice amongst the business community, as well as providing the opportunity for members to meet new contacts. Its support services promote business growth and efficiency and opportunities also exist for firms to raise their profile through sponsorship and advertising.