Thousands of visitors, hundreds of exhibitors and dozens of high-profile event partners were treated to an action-packed agenda and a high-quality event which created a real buzz, celebrating everything that’s great about business in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
We were once again honoured by the support of our key event partners, including headline sponsor East Midlands Chamber, the Federation of Small Businesses, Mocha Communicates, Workplace Diversity Solutions, DPI, NatWest Rapid Cash and KuKu Connect.
Fancy Entertainment bought a touch of glamour to the event by providing themed and costumed entertainers throughout the day to keep the pundits engaged.
We heard from a raft of top-class speakers, including our good friend Ninder Johal DL, who shared his inspirational journey from working class lad to successful music industry entrepreneur.
There was also an interesting panel discussion, with some of the leading lights from the local business scene talking about the strengths and opportunities that Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire bring to the UK economy.
‘The Heart of the Midlands’
Perhaps best of all was the performance of the poem, ‘We are the Heart of the Midlands’, by Derby-based poet Jamie Thrasivoulou, about the role the three counties play in driving the East Midlands – and the UK – forwards.
Social media exploded, with our own LinkedIn posts generating 19,836 impressions in the run-up to the event an on the day, along with mere than 480 reactions, 38 comments, 252 shares and mentions in hundreds of posts by exhibitors and delegates. It was a similar story on Twitter, where our expo-related tweets resulted in 59,700 impressions and 224 mentions.
Love Business has built a reputation as the region’s biggest B2B expo and a must-attend event in the East Midlands business calendar.
It has had a huge positive impact on the economy and the community in the East Midlands, providing a great platform for local businesses to showcase their products and services, share their good news and make vital new connections.
‘The biggest and best yet’
Quiet Storm’s Managing Director, Steve Megson, said: “Love Business 2020 was the biggest and best yet. Our original idea was to bring grant funding agencies, business support organisations, the universities and colleges, together, to really enable them to focus on serving the SME sector as a customer base.
“Year-on-year, the event has grown in size, delegate numbers and interest and has become a firm fixture in the annual business calendar in the heart of the Midlands as a real celebration of local business success.”
David Pearson, the Chamber’s Director of Partnerships, added: “We were delighted to once again support Love Business as headline, as a clear demonstration of our commitment to enhancing businesses and communities across the East Midlands.
“Love Business encapsulates that, connecting businesses with all the organisations, like the Chamber, which can help SMEs to grow and prosper so they continue to provide jobs and financial security to the wider community.”