Firms are being urged to join in a three-day business festival being held by Dorset Chamber.

The Dorset Business Festival will include a conference, exhibition and awards on October 10 to 12. Bookings and awards entries have now opened.

Details of the celebration of business – the first of its kind in the county – were revealed at an event held by Dorset Chamber and Dorset Council at Kingston Maurward College, near Dorchester.

Dorset Council is one of the Festival Partners along with Blue Sky Financial Planning, Bournemouth and Poole College, the Dolphin in Poole and YMCA Bournemouth. Lester Aldridge Solicitors is Premier Festival Partner.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “Excitement is building towards our first business festival.

“There are so many brilliant businesses across the whole of Dorset with some incredible success stories and inspirational achievements.

“The business festival is an opportunity for them to shine and to help us showcase the rich and varied range of businesses from many different sectors and parts of Dorset.

“There are different ways to get involved, from visiting or taking part in the business exhibition and conference to entering or attending the awards.

“I would encourage everyone to get behind this event and help celebrate the exceptional business community we have in the county.”

A promotional video was unveiled at the Kingston Maurward event along with more details about the festival, which is based in Bournemouth but open to all from across Dorset. 

The conference will have a ‘future of business’ focus with four main themes: Technology, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG); Place; and People.

The festival awards will be free to enter in 10 categories and open to all businesses in the county whether chamber members or not. 

The event at Kingston Maurward also included updates from Dorset Council about Levelling-Up funding and opportunities for inward investment.

Luke Rake gave an insight into his role as principal and chief executive of Kingston Maurward College as well as the skills agenda for businesses and the economy.

Dorset Chamber – the voice of business – is the county’s leading business support organisation. It is the only chamber in Dorset accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce. Its motto is ‘enabling better lives through business’.

Visit https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/festival/ for more information.

PICTURE: FESTIVAL UPDATE: Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling is pictured centre with speakers and sponsors at Dorset Business Festival preview event at Kingston Maurward College, near Dorchester