Belief is the key at Marketing Derby’s Annual Business Event

“If we believe, we can achieve” that was the message to the hundreds of people who attended this year’s Marketing Derby’s Annual Business Event (ABE).

Held as a hybrid event for the first time and hosted by QUAD, more than 100 people attended the investment promotion agency’s biggest event of the year in person, while over 300 more watched live online.

With the theme of “Believe”, the audience was treated to a mix of presentations and films – some of which had been produced especially for the event.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “The Marketing Derby Annual Business Event has become a red-letter event when we thank stakeholders for their support and outline our impact.

“Our theme this year was ‘Believe’ – it is time for Derby and Derbyshire to build on our amazing heritage, diversify our economy and widen opportunities for local communities.”

Paul Simpson, chief executive of Derby City Council, the keynote speaker at this year’s event, said: “The Marketing Derby Annual Business Event was a great opportunity to engage with the Bondholder business community and get our message across that we are determined to develop the city’s economic recovery by supporting investments such as that at SmartParc SEGRO Spondon.”

The ABE showcased Derby and Derbyshire’s achievements over the past 12 months – while also looking at the progress of current schemes and those in the pipeline.

As well as an updated Derby Investment Prospectus, the event featured a brand-new Derbyshire Prospectus, detailing investment opportunities in the county – and premiered one of three new films promoting Derbyshire as a place to live, work, play and invest, which focused on the quality of life the county offers.

It also shone a light on the impact of Marketing Derby – not only to attract investment to the city and county, but to protect and preserve what we already have.

A case in point has been the recent campaign to save Derby County, of which Marketing Derby has played a key role as part of ‘Team Derby’.

Another key partner in Team Derby is the city council, and at the ABE, its chief executive, Paul Simpson, spoke about the city’s achievements so far, current projects and future goals.

Derby County are among Marketing Derby’s valued Bondholder community – and this year’s ABE celebrated our Bondholders with a specially made film.

Finally, Lesley So, founder of drinks firm So Good Kombucha, the winner of this year’s Marketing Derby’s Rising Star competition, inspired the audience when she took to the stage for the Dare to Dream slot.

Lesley said: “Winning this year’s Rising Star has definitely been a highlight of my business journey so far – and the icing on the cake was being selected to be able to deliver the Dare to Dream at this year’s ABE.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the wonderful community of Marketing Derby Bondholders – it’s been absolutely fantastic meeting everyone and I have felt so welcomed.

“I’m really looking forward to future events and being able to get involved even more with the rest of the Derby business community.”

To watch a recording of this year’s ABE click here..

To watch the Bondholder film click here.

To watch the Invest in Derbyshire video click here.