Beyond Business Week Launched

At the launch of the Beyond Down Business were Anny and David McNeil of thegreenhouseni, Beyond NI staff Vickie Maquire, Outreach Officer and Michael Forster, Business Interlligence Officer, and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mickey Coogan. At the launch of the Beyond Down Business Week were Anny and David McNeil of thegreenhouseni, Beyond NI staff Vickie Maquire, Outreach Officer and Michael Forster, Business Interlligence Officer, and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mickey Coogan at Down Racecourse where the Expo will be held.[/caption] This  years’ Beyond Business Week will run from Monday 22 to Friday 26 April, with the highlights of the week including the Business Expo on Thursday 25 April, business advice clinics, speed mentoring and the Beyond Business Awards on Friday 26 April. Beyond Business Week is open to anyone in business, running or doing business or considering going into business in the district.  Business week events are open to sole traders, partnership businesses, limited companies, social economy businesses and community groups operating on full or part time basis from all business sectors. Events held throughout Beyond Business Week are suitable for one person businesses through to those employing up to 250 people. During Business Week a number of events will showcase the range and variety of support available to local businesses and provide networking and development opportunities for all. There will be a host of expert industry speakers addressing the issues facing businesses in the current economic climate as well as making them aware of their legislative requirements. There will be over 15 specialist events, seminars and workshops held across the district, including a full day Business Expo on Thursday 25 April 2013. This Beyond Business Expo aims to support local businesses across the region by providing an opportunity for companies to showcase their business and services to potential customers in the area. Exhibition stands are £45 per company. Thegreenhouseni, a Saintfield-based business, (www.thegreenhouseni.com)have signed up to exhibit at the Expo, and Director, David McNeill said: “We are excited to showcase our company, products and make new contacts. The Expo is a great opportunity for local small and medium businesses to network on a B2B basis and with clients generally. ”We have been involved with the Beyond programme and can say that it has greatly improved our business performance over the past year and we are looking forward to the various seminars etc that will be taking place. Beyond has been very supportive to us as a young business and we would recommend everyone to consider getting involved during the Beyond Business Week.” For more details about Business Week or to book a stand at the Expo please telephone 028 4461 0856. The final event of the week is the Beyond Business Awards which will be held on Friday 26 April 2013. There is still time to apply for one of eight awards online at: www.beyondni.co.uk]]>