EMB Conference 2010

The 14th Ethnic Minority Business Conference is the UK’s benchmark event on diversity and entrepreneurship. This year, it focuses on the theme of ‘Making diversity everyone’s business’, and directs its attention to the dynamic changes in national enterprise policy and practice. Practitioners from the private and public sector outline their innovative approaches to promoting this vital agenda. The work of the pioneering Minority Ethnic Enterprise Centre of Expertise (MEECOE) and its partners will be a major feature of this timely and highly interactive conference. The conference will provide an opportunity to add to the debate via Q&As and panel discussions, and offers exciting networking opportunities. The three areas of focus:

Business Support

The dramatic changes in business support and their implications for diverse communities will be a major feature of this session. Participants will have an opportunity to hear about innovative public-private collaborations to promote diversity. Such initiatives will provide much needed evidence of how imaginative partnerships can add real value to the entrepreneurial efforts of diverse communities.

Access to Finance

This session will look at Barclays’ experiences of trying to foster stronger relationships between the bank and the ethnic minority business community in Birmingham over the last 12 months. This will include hints and tips on best practice, comments from all the stakeholder groups involved and some early observations about impact.

Access to Markets

Business in the Community and Simon Leggett of the private company, ‘The Consortium’, lead this session on the role that the private sector can play in supporting minority entrepreneurs to develop their businesses. Key issues include: strategies to encourage minority businesses into corporate supply chains; the development of mentoring relationships between large and small firms; and how supporting diverse firms can contribute to meeting Corporate Social Responsibility objectives.

The Gala Dinner, sponsored by Barclays, will be an exciting networking opportunity and a celebration of the achievements of the MEECOE project.

How to book:

We have lowered ticket prices this year in recognition of the financial challenges that many organisations are facing. An even more competitive rate is available for bookings before September 1. (All prices exclude VAT)

Advance booking (before September 1)
Conference – £60
Gala Dinner – £50
Combined ticket – £95

Booking (from September 1)
Conference – £75
Gala Dinner – £50
Combined ticket – £110

Contact CREME for more information
creme@dmu.ac.uk