Entrepreneurs Forum

The way the Entrepreneurs´ Forum brings people together is through a series of events and sessions throughout the year. They are diverse and offer something for everyone, always with the opportunity to share knowledge and ideas with like-minded entrepreneurs.

They include:

• Open Events
• Focus Dinners
• Mentoring
• On-Site Visits
• Annual Conference
• Action Learning Groups
• SME Conference
• Annual Charity Ball
• Chairman's Dinner & Drinks Reception
• Networking
• Graduate Conference and Youth Summit

Open Events

A typical open event is attended by 40-100 members and guests, with a speaker who will talk about the highs and lows of their entrepreneurial journey, or speak about their specialist business subject. On other occasions we will bring together a panel of experts to with related backgrounds to discuss a particular subject more broadly. There are ample opportunities to ask questions of our speakers and the event is always rounded off with a friendly, informal buffet supper, or, if it's a morning event, kicks off with breakfast. Open events cost £35 + VAT for non-members but are included in the benefits for members. Members can bring guests at a cost of £15 + VAT each to open events.

Focus Dinners

Set in the private dining facilities of some of the region's finest restaurants, these intimate members-only dinners for 16-18 people bring together good food and an engaging speaker to tell their story, or talk about a particular business subject. A chairman then carefully controls a single conversation around the table afterwards to ensure all guests come away with with something that will benefit their business.

Mentoring

The Forum's Mentoring Programme is a flagship activity which capitalises on the altruism of members to support each other at every stage of their business lives. Although facilitated by the Forum, mentoring is a very personal interaction between mentor and mentee and relies completely on the willingness and availability of mentors to volunteer their time. Mentoring is not a substitute for professional or non-executive guidance and should not be confused with coaching, but can be one of the most rewarding business relationships ever entered into.

On-Site Visits

On-site visits are a type of open event and offer a unique behind-the-scenes look at another business, guided by the entrepreneur who is the driving force behind the company. Our members often tell us that there's no better way to spend a morning than to see the best practice of another business and take things away you can implement in your own, even if the company you visit is in a different sector.

Annual Conference

The pinnacle of our events calendar, our Annual Conference is the most prestigious business event in the North East and attracts around 300 delegates. We bring world class speakers to the region, such as Tim Waterstone, Gerald Ratner and Sir Clive Woodward and the conference day is followed by a black-tie dinner where our annual awards are presented.

Action Learning Groups

A new programme of practical, interactive action-learning groups suitable for business owners and managers, these events have been developed to be both engaging and idea-generating, integrating information, dialogue and skill-building. With content applicable to businesses both large and small, these events will be at once thought-provoking and directive, to inspire and motivate you to achieve even greater success.

SME Conference

Our annual SME Conference caters for entrepreneurs whose businesses fall into the small-medium sized category. Delegates at this full day conference have the opportunity to hear from entrepreneurs who have built successful enterprises from small beginnings.

Annual Charity Ball

Altruism is a common thread flowing through the Forum and as well as giving their time, wisdom and inspiration our members always help us raise a substantial amount each year for a worthy charity in the region. In the past five years we are proud to have raised over £310,000.

Chairman's Dinner & Drinks Reception

Each year the Forum chairman hosts a dinner and/or drinks reception, brining together a business speaker and sometimes an after-dinner speaker. Attended by the Forum board and founder members, this is a popular event with members and their guests and often sells out within 48 hours.

Networking

Whilst the Entrepreneurs' Forum is a strictly non-trading environment, there are plenty of opportunities to build your contact base, share opportunities and tap into the knowledge and expertise of fellow guests.

Graduate Conference and Youth Summit

We hold two youth-orientated conferences each year. Our student conference attracts over 300 young people from the region's colleges and five universities. The Forum has also hosted an ambitious Youth Summit, aimed at enterprising 15-26 year olds from schools, colleges and universities in the North East who want to pursue entrepreneurship as a career and run their own business in the future.

For more information about the types of events we host please contact the Entrepreneurs´ Forum on 0870 850 2233 or by e-mailing