Dorset Chamber has joined forces with leading law firm Lester Aldridge as more details of a major business festival are unveiled.

The Dorset Business Festival – the first event of its kind in the chamber’s 74-year history – is being held from October 10 to 12.

Delegates from across the region are expected to attend the three-day extravaganza, which will include a conference, expo and the long-awaited return of the Dorset Business Awards.

Lester Aldridge has pledged its support as lead partner for the summit at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth town centre.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lester Aldridge as our lead partner for the Dorset Business Festival.

“It is the first event of its kind in the chamber’s history as a celebration of success and a consideration of the major issues facing businesses today as well as the long awaited return of the Dorset Business Awards following the Covid pandemic.

“As a longstanding chamber supporter and leading local business, Lester Aldridge is the perfect partner for the festival whose enthusiasm for the event matches our own. It promises to be a superb showcase for Dorset and our business community.”

Full service law firm Lester Aldridge is headquartered in Bournemouth with offices in Southampton and London. It is a Dorset Chamber Premier Partner and the first business to commit to the Business Festival.

Partner Grant Esterhuizen said: “We can’t wait for the Dorset Business Festival to begin.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Dorset Chamber over the coming months as lead partner for this prestigious event.

“It will be a tremendous way to bring the business community together after the turbulence of recent times and I hope many other of our fantastic Dorset businesses, organisations and individuals will also get involved.”

Further details of the Dorset Business Festival have also been announced with a topic-based business conference on October 10, the expo on October 11 and the revamped Dorset Business Awards on October 12.

The conference will be hosted by presenter and former BBC Breakfast business correspondent Declan Curry. It will also feature a keynote speaker as well as discussions with expert panels.

Topics are likely to include technology and the environmental, social and governance agenda. There will also be networking opportunities.

The expo will include stands, presentations and networking while the Dorset Business Awards – returning after four years – will be presented in 10 categories following judging by an independent panel of business leaders and experts.

Dorset Chamber, the voice of business, is the county’s leading business support organisation.

Visit the chamber website at https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/ for more details about the festival and email sarah.milton@dorsetchamber.co.uk to become involved.