Member Article

Liverpool and Sefton Chamber’s IFB conference points way to export potential

Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce saw 350 delegates turn out for its two day conference at the Rum Warehouse in Stanley Dock.

One of the highlights of the International Festival for Business (IFB), the event ended with a Gala Dinner at Liverpool’s newest venue.

The Power of the Chamber Global Network conference brought together exporters and potential exporters who discovered more about global high growth markets from Latin America to South East Asia, Middle East to Central Europe.

Delegates met Chamber of Commerce representatives from 32 countries, and heard from companies with track records of success in exporting.

The conference was hosted by BBC 5 live presenter Declan Curry, who led discussion, debate and a Q&A session.

Key speakers included John Longworth, Director General of British Chamber of Commerce, and Peter Mihok, President of the World Chambers Federation.

On the second day, delegates had one-to-one meetings with overseas representatives from 32 countries and attended sessions on the premises of prominent firms partnering with Liverpool Chamber for the event: Hill Dickinson, Warrant Group, Halewood International, Health@work and Barclays, who all looked at practical issues and gave advice for small-medium businesses.

John Longworth, Director General of British Chamber of Commerce says: “The International Festival for Business (IFB) has been a fantastic platform for UK businesses to develop professional overseas partnerships.

“The Power of the Chamber Global Network event which was a huge success. We have connected UK businesses with more than 30 overseas representatives and hopefully helped them to create tangible, long-lasting relationships.”

Andy Snell, Director of international Trade at Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce said: “Now delegates have met their global network, they must use it, it is the follow ups that count, which we would urge people to do, continue to work with us now to access international trade advice, training and subsidised trade missions .”

The conference ended on a high with a fantastic gala dinner which saw over 350 guests turn out to enjoy the event at the Rum Warehouse.

The theme of the evening was how the Chamber Global Network is working strategically with partners that enjoy an international profile - such as Liverpool Fc and Everton FC, Aintree racecourse and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic - to promote the city region abroad and create new relationships for businesses overseas.

Man of the guests took the opportunity to have pictures taken of themselves with the Barclays Premier League, Grand National and the Champions League trophies. They then enjoyed live entertainment from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, enjoyed an interactive re-run of the Grand National, and watched a Beatles tribute band perform the Fab Four’s hits.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .