The Business Network Column from Platinum Business Magazine
Network Review – Bexhill Chamber Breakfast
By Emma Pearce – Marketing Consultant – marketing planning, outsourced marketing and social media training
Emma Pearce gives a more detailed insight into a growing Chamber of Commerce…
You should think again if you perceive Bexhill-on-Sea to be a sleepy seaside town between Hastings and Eastbourne.
There’s a well-attended and friendly Chamber of Commerce and Tourism with ongoing ambitious plans. As well as an eclectic mix of professional businesses networking at the meetings, there is active lobbying for more exciting developments and business support. In recent years the town has grown a reputation for great events too – such as the Bexhill Motofest festival and the art and cultural programme at the iconic De La Warr Pavilion, along with top name music and internationally recognised comics performing regularly.
As with most Chambers, Bexhill welcomes businesses of all sectors and sizes who are based in the town as well as those based elsewhere who wish to do business in the town. Perhaps more unusually, Bexhill Chamber is also invested in increasing tourism, too.
Vice President, Martin Riley, said “There’s a new committee up for election in September that wish to renew the Chamber’s focus on three key areas – business, regeneration and education. We are currently reviewing our programme of events. We will be holding lively evening networking alongside our breakfast meetings that are attended by around 60 businesses.”
The format of the meeting
- 30 minutes open networking with everyone attending the event
- Sit down for breakfast (hot and cold buffet provided by the Cooden Beach Hotel)
- 30 second round – each person can speak for 30 seconds about their business (with a call to action if you are maximising this opportunity!)
- Listen to a speaker for 15 minutes and time for Q&A
- More open networking if you wish to stay.
I also spoke to Communications Officer and Acting Vice President, Howard Martin, who said that the Chamber is working closely with the Town Team, Town Forum and FSB on a number of regeneration projects that help businesses. This includes the high speed rail link to London and education development initiatives. In fact there is a lobbying event for the high speed trains at the Coast Restaurant on Bexhill seafront from 6.30 pm on 16 September. At the last Chamber meeting Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle, encouraged everyone to attend this ‘learn to lobby’ event. He is waiting for a big mailbag as a result to help his case to Government. (Getting from Bexhill to St Pancreas in 78 minutes – via Ashford – will be a great advantage for the area. It cuts an incredible 1 hour off the current travel time.)
Key Facts
- Location: Cooden Beach Hotel
- Frequency: Breakfasts every 2 months and other evening networking events during the year. Plus, as a member of ACES (The Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex), there are other opportunities to network with members of other chambers in the County.
- Size: average of 60 attendees
- Time: 7.15 am – 9.00 am
- Lock out: no
- 30 Second Round: yes
- Speaker slot: yes
- Cost: Annual membership of £55. Breakfast meetings are £12 for members and £15 for non-members. Contact Lucy Marlow and Kate Lovering regarding membership on info@bexhillchamber.co.uk.
So perhaps you shouldn’t bypass Bexhill. Could your business benefit from networking at this Chamber as part of your marketing activities?
Why not read our other networking blogs…
- Networking is it really worth it?
- Tips and ideas for your 1 minute networking presentation
- Business Networking events in East Sussex for Men and Women
Find out more about our marketing consultancy and outsourced marketing services.
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