As the first week of the 2016 Leicester Business Festival draws to a close, businesses, delegates and organisers have all expressed delight with its success and are now looking forward to another week packed with networking opportunities and 55 business events.

The largest business event in the region, Leicester Business Festival – which features 118 events and is expected to see 12,500 people attend – is dedicated to driving investment and stimulating economic growth for Leicester and Leicestershire. The opening day featured the Chairman of luxury fashion house Burberry, Sir John Peace, as well as Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, Harborough District Council’s Councillor Blake Pain and leaders from such top organisations as 3M, Heathrow Airport and many more.

There were 63 events held during the first week, including ‘Connected Autonomous Vehicles And Intelligent Mobility’, ‘Making Social Media Work For Your Business’, ‘How Brand And Web Design Can Boost Your Profits’, the Food & Drink Business Growth Expo and the Make It British Forum. Other sold-out events include ‘Exporting: Is It For You?’, ‘User Research – Getting Into The Minds Of Your Customers’, ‘Yoga And Mindfulness Class’, ‘How To Secure Public Sector Contracts’ and the ‘Business Growth Forum’.

In particular, the first week focused on food and drink manufacturing, textiles manufacturing, professional and financial services and tourism and hospitality. Days six to 10 of the festival will focus on the low carbon sector, distribution and logistics, creative industries, engineering and advanced manufacturing, and sport and health.

Among the many packed and popular events to be held in the second week will be ‘Brexit – The Potential Impact On Indirect Taxes’, ‘Women Into Business’, the ‘Google Digital Garage From The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)’, ‘Is Your Company At Risk Of A Cyber Attack?’, ‘The Norton Experience’ and the ‘Careers Speed Networking’ event. Tickets are still available for some events which can be booked through the Leicester Business Festival website.

Leicester Business Festival board lead Alister de Ternant, who has been conducting an extensive media tour to promote the festival with support from FSB, East Midlands Chamber and other leading business bodies, said: “This first week couldn’t have gone better – sold-out events and world-leading organisations going shoulder-to-shoulder with small businesses, entrepreneurs and students.

“We go into the second week full of confidence that businesses will continue to broaden their horizons, delegates will continue to be informed and enthused and Leicester and Leicestershire will remain firmly front and centre on the UK’s business agenda.”

The 2016 Leicester Business Festival runs until 4 November. Read the festival’s new page-turning brochure here.