Business conference to be held next month

Reinvigoration of the high street and the benefits to be achieved through working in partnership will be the focus of a major business conference taking place in the Borough next month.
Pictured (L-R) keynote speaker and business consultant David Meade, Adrian Farrell, President of Portadown Chamber of Commerce, Michael Donaghy, Chair of Banbridge Chamber of Commerce, Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Councillor Darryn Causby. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.Pictured (L-R) keynote speaker and business consultant David Meade, Adrian Farrell, President of Portadown Chamber of Commerce, Michael Donaghy, Chair of Banbridge Chamber of Commerce, Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Councillor Darryn Causby. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
Pictured (L-R) keynote speaker and business consultant David Meade, Adrian Farrell, President of Portadown Chamber of Commerce, Michael Donaghy, Chair of Banbridge Chamber of Commerce, Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Councillor Darryn Causby. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Hosted by Mark Carruthers, the event entitled ‘Better Business Together’ will take place at Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre on 2 March from 8:30am to 1.30pm.

It is open to all businesses within the Borough and will bring together 150 representatives from the local business community – retail and service sectors – to examine challenges currently faced by businesses on the high street and explore possible solutions.

The conference has been organised by ABC Council in partnership with local businesses and is sponsored by Portadown Chamber of Commerce, Banbridge Chamber of Commerce and The Mall Shopping Centre, Armagh.

Keynote speakers including business consultant and broadcaster David Meade, Glyn Roberts from Northern Ireland Retail Trade Association, retail intelligence expert Diane Wehrle from Springboard, will address the topics of future government policy, retail trends and changing patterns of consumer behavior.

The concept of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and the Department for Social Development’s NI BID’s Academy will also be profiled.

Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Darryn Causby said: “We are fortunate to have a strong and diverse business presence within the Borough – but we also recognise that community is operating in challenging economic times.

“Consumer behaviour is changing rapidly with a clear shift towards online sales and the virtual customer. This, coupled with other challenges on our high streets has led to difficult trading conditions for small businesses and retailers.

“While some have fallen victim, others have responded well to this change, reinventing, innovating and restructuring their business to meet evolving demands.

“Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, in partnership with local Chambers of Commerce and other business representatives, is hosting this conference to act as important platform for local businesses to share experiences, to examine the issues currently facing the sector and to listen to how others have responded.”

There is no charge to attend the event, but pre-booking is essential. For more information or to reserve a place visit www.event-ful.co.uk/events/together or call 028 9043 4320.

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