Online first for Marketing Derby’s Annual Business Event

Marketing Derby is set to hold its Annual Business Event this Friday – and it will take place entirely online for the first time.

Traditionally, the ABE, which is the inward investment agency’s biggest event of the year, takes place at Derby Theatre in front of an audience of more than 500 people.

However, this year, due to government restrictions, the event, which reflects on the past 12 months, as well as future prospects, will be held online.

It will take the form of a film, produced by ‘AV IT Media, which will not only look back on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic – but will set out why Derby has a positive future going forward as it emerges from the pandemic.

Entitled ‘From Darkness, Through Light and To Hope’, it will premiere on Friday 5 March, from 9am to 10am, and will feature a mix of films, presentations and the popular Dare to Dream slot.

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It will include a panel discussion with Paul Simpson, chief executive of Derby City Council, Reverend Julio Abraham, chief executive of Derby City Mission, Ruth Hobbs, director of Urban Sister Developments and Liv Pritchard, director of Bustler Market.

In the film, we will also meet the winner of this year’s Marketing Derby Rising Star Competition – The Swap Shop – and the collection of runners-up known as the “galaxy”.

MD of Marketing Derby, John Forkin, said: “Reflecting our times, this year, the ABE will be very different and will not be a virtual version of what we might have done on stage.

“Last year, Marketing Derby won the Queen’s Award for Innovation and so we have decided to create a film that reflects the impact of the Covid pandemic, as well as painting a positive future.

“We have drawn on the influence of Joseph Wright of Derby, adopting a theme that explores darkness and light, realised by some of the creative energies unique to Derby.

“We especially wanted to reflect the wider Derby community and so have drawn on leaders – from the public, private and voluntary sectors – as well as vox pops of hope, ranging from the city’s homeless community to young people.”

The ABE will include a surprise ending, described as a Tik Tok of Hope.

There is still time to register for the event. To book a place please click here.