PLACES are filling up fast for a free programme of events at helping businesses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole recover from the impact of the pandemic, organisers say.

The BCP Festival will begin on Wednesday, November 17, with An Evening With Alastair Humphreys, in which the adventurer and author will speak to an audience at Bournemouth’s Pavilion.

Funded by BCP Council’s Bounce Back Fund and taking place at venues across the conurbation, the festival will see 14 events, under the themes of future and innovation, inspiration and wellbeing, designed to motivate and engage business leaders from a variety of sectors.

Inspiring the Next Generation with Bournemouth University takes place on Thursday, November 18, and offers young would-be entrepreneurs advice from those with first-hand experience. Young business leaders sharing their stories will include Simon Dilawershah of LMA Architects, Martin Smith of Talent Drive, Tom Quay of Passenger, Hannah Beard of Pure Wellness and Mei Pan of Yobu Frozen Yogurt & Bubble Tea.

Going Green, on Friday, November 19, at the Green House Hotel, will be a panel discussion with leaders who have created a more eco-friendly business. They include Lizzie McManus of Warrior Agency, Olivia O’Sullivan of the Green House Hotel, Jon Cullum of Sustainable Technology and Solutions Centre, Jon Fletcher of Big Clean Switch and Michael French from Boscombe-based charity Grounded Community.

The Future of BCP on Tuesday, November 23, at Poole’s Civic Centre will see council leader Cllr Drew Mellor and deputy Cllr Philip Broadhead discuss plans for the future of the region and the help available for business leaders.

Evolve to Succeed: An Evening With Business Leaders, at Poole’s Lighthouse on Thursday, November 25, will include Josh Simons of Chicken & Blues, entrepreneur Lyndon Stickley, Paul Spiers of The New P&L and Katie Street of Street Agency.

The closing event will be the BCP Symposium on Friday, November 26, at AFC Bournemouth, bringing together leaders from nine sectors for sector-specific workshops. They will then come together with representatives from other sectors to learn about opportunities for the region as a whole.

Warren Munson, founder of Poole-based business community Evolve, which has organised the festival, said: “We’re very proud to be bringing such a high calibre programme of free events to local business leaders, as part of the BCP Business Festival.

“Events, workshops and panel discussions including Inspiring the Next Generation, Going Green, the Future of BCP and the symposium are all set to provide those in the local business community with fascinating insights, opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and learn new things that may help shape the future of their own business.”

The BCP Business Festival is a follow-on from the 2019 Evolve Business Festival, which hosted eight events at different venues across Poole and Bournemouth. Over 130 local companies attended, and events ranged from intimate ‘round table’ meetings to a large charity dinner with Eddie Howe as guest speaker.

Find out more or book at https://evolvemembers.com/evolve-bcp-business-festival-2021-networking-events-bournemouth-poole-christchurch/