First Dorset Business Festival will include conference, expo and return of awards

Dorset Chamber has revealed more details about the Dorset Business Festival – the first event of its kind in the chamber’s 74-year history.

The festival, to be held from October 10-12, will include a conference, expo and the long-awaited return of the Dorset Business Awards.

Lester Aldridge, the county's largest law firm, has pledged its support as lead partner for the event at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth town centre.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lester Aldridge as our lead partner for the Dorset Business Festival.

“It is the first event of its kind in the chamber’s history as a celebration of success and a consideration of the major issues facing businesses today as well as the long-awaited return of the Dorset Business Awards following the Covid pandemic.

“As a longstanding chamber supporter and leading local business, Lester Aldridge is the perfect partner for the festival whose enthusiasm for the event matches our own. It promises to be a superb showcase for Dorset and our business community.”

Full service law firm Lester Aldridge is headquartered in Bournemouth, with offices in Southampton and London. It is a Dorset Chamber Premier Partner and the first business to commit to the Business Festival.

Partner Grant Esterhuizen said: “We can’t wait for the Dorset Business Festival to begin. We’re looking forward to working closely with Dorset Chamber over the coming months as lead partner for this prestigious event.

“It will be a tremendous way to bring the business community together after the turbulence of recent times and I hope many other of our fantastic Dorset businesses, organisations and individuals will also get involved.”

The festival will feature a topic-based business conference on October 10, the expo on October 11 and the revamped business awards on October 12.

The conference will be hosted by presenter and former BBC Breakfast business correspondent Declan Curry. It will also feature a keynote speaker as well as discussions with expert panels.

Topics are likely to include technology and the environmental, social and governance agenda. There will also be networking opportunities.

The expo will include stands, presentations and networking while the Dorset Business Awards – returning after four years – will be presented in 10 categories following judging by an independent panel of business leaders and experts.

For more festival details, go to https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/ and email [email protected] if you'd like to become involved.

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Image:  (L-r) Dorset Chamber vice-president Tony Brown, Lester Aldridge partner Grant Esterhuizen, Dorset Chamber president Caron Khan and Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling