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Growing Your Own Business Conference, NEC, Birmingham 13 - 14 Oct 2017
Growing Your Own Business Conference
The Growing Your Own Business (GYOB) conference & showcase is incorporated within The National Franchise Exhibition on 13 & 14 October at the NEC, Birmingham.
The event is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to build and sustain a successful business.
Networking
When 'going at it alone' and setting up a business, it is important to meet like-minded aspiring entrepreneurs and successful business owners to build your network and gain essential advice.
Meet with representatives from organisations that specialise in boosting business growth, as well as fellow visitors with varying levels of experience, to gain useful insights and
Growing Your Own Business Hub
Get free impartial advice from a range of business experts across both days of the exhibitions.
Keynote Speakers
Inspiring business leaders will speak about the highs and lows of starting your own business and share the secrets behind their success.
Growing Your Own Business Workshops
Find out how to develop and sustain a successful business at the Growing Your Own Business workshops, with advice on finance, digital marketing, publicity generation and social media.
Want to get involved?
If you are interested in getting involved in the Growing Your Own Business
Email: Melinda.Lyons@vmgl.com to find out more.
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Keynote speakers
Michelle Niziol, Founder, IMS Property Group 
Friday 13 October
13:00 - 13:30
A successful businesswoman and self-professed workaholic, Michelle has worked in the finance and property industry for more than a decade.
Michelle was a candidate on BBC’s The Apprentice in 2016 and earlier this year became Vice-President of ARLA Propertymark.
Michelle manages a very successful property portfolio and in 2015 launched IMS Property Solutions and IMS Letting Solutions due to a high-demand for these services from existing clients.
You can catch Michelle's keynote presentation on Friday 13 October at 13:00 in Theatre 5.
Abel Campos, Head of Franchising, McDonald's
Saturday 14 October
12:00 - 12:30
Abel was appointed Head of Franchising & field services for McDonald’s UK in 2016, following a successful 20-year career with the brand spanning operations and franchising.
He joined the business in 1995, progressing from a local restaurant team to overseeing a number of restaurants as a consultant in the region.
Abel worked in a number of national and regional roles throughout his time with McDonald’s, and before his current appointment held the position of director of franchising in the southern region, responsible for ensuring high standards of support and operational excellence across his group.
Abel now heads up the UK franchising strategy, field services and oversees the recruitment of new franchisees.
Catch Abel's seminar at 12:00 on Saturday 14 October
Gráinne McCoy, Semi-finalist, The Apprentice
Saturday 14 October
12:15 - 12:45
With over 12 years experience, Gráinne McCoy is a highly versatile and multi-talented makeup artist.
Her career has taken her from roles with international brands such as Laura Mercier, to most recently collaborating with global makeup brand, Trish McEvoy, and working with A list celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival.
Her unshakeable drive and entrepreneurial spirit saw Gráinne take part in The Apprentice 2016, where she proved that makeup artists can be key business women as she took the semi-finalist place.
Listen to Gráinne's inspiring story in Theatre 5 on Saturday 14 October at 12:15.
Keynotes Over The Past Year
We've had some incredible speakers at Growing Your Own Business recently...
Speakers have included: Abel Campos (Head of Franchising, McDonald's UK), Linzi Boyd ( Founder of The BoB Group), Carol Smillie (Model/ star of BBC Changing Rooms), Mark Wright (Winner of The Apprentice 2014), John Aizlewood (CDO Pizza Hut UK & Ireland), Anil Patel (Starbuck's first franchisee - 23.5 Degrees), Nick Telson (Entrepreneur, DesignMy Night) and Joseph Valente (Winner of The Apprentice 2015), Jason Clark (COO, McDonald's) Steven Bartlett (Founder, Social Chain) and many more!
Watch this space for event updates!
Opening times:
Friday 13 October | 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday 14 October | 10:00 - 16:00
Directions:
Hall 3a
National Exhibition Centre (NEC)
Birmingham
B40 1NT
Click here for NEC directions, parking information and map. Call NEC, Birmingham T: +44 (0)121 780 4141.
Thinking of travelling up from London? Visitors can get 25% off their rail fare with Virgin Trains from London Euston direct to the NEC (Birmingham International) in just over an hour! Click here.
Ticket prices:
Tickets will be free of charge if you book them in advance by clicking here.
If you wish to attend on the day and do not book in advance, tickets will cost £15 on the door, unless a discount offer code is presented at the exhibition entrance.
FREE tickets can be booked online up until the close of show.
Click here to book free tickets.
Accommodation:
To reserve accommodation please contact our official booking agents Ellis Salsby on +44 (0)1562 829939 or visit www.ellis-salsby.co.uk.
Book free tickets to the Growing Your Own Business Conference
Incorporated within:
The personal data you provide will be used to register you for an event. By completing this registration form, you accept the Terms & Conditions for The Franchise Exhibitions.
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