Newark and Sherwood Economic Growth Conference celebrates record attendance and positive impact
Posted on: Tuesday, December 2, 2025Newark and Sherwood District Council is delighted to announce the resounding success of the 2025 Newark and Sherwood Economic Growth Conference, held at Southwell Racecourse on Thursday 9 October. In partnership with East Midlands Chamber, the event brought together a diverse range of business leaders and organisations to explore the theme 'Resilience and Growth in a Changing World'.
This year’s conference featured a packed agenda of talks and workshops covering key topics such as Sustainable Growth, Resilience, Cost-saving Sustainability Measures, AI and Digital Change, and the East Midlands Growth Strategy. Attendees also enjoyed valuable networking opportunities and visited stalls showcasing business support from Newark and Sherwood District Council, East Midlands Chamber, NBV, Newark College, and West Notts College.
Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “The conference continues to grow year on year and in 2025 it was great to see a record attendance with wide range of organisations being represented.
“Engaging with local businesses and giving them a space where they can showcase their work is a really important part of the District Council’s work. Thank you to everyone who attended, and to the team for organising the event, we hope to see you again next year!”
The 2025 event saw a record 110 participants representing 78 organisations - a substantial 36% increase from last year’s total of 81 attendees. This surge in engagement highlights the growing appetite among local businesses for collaboration and innovation in challenging times.
Feedback from the conference was overwhelmingly positive, with 94.45% of survey respondents rating the event as 'Excellent' or 'Good'. Businesses reported that they were inspired to consider new strategies following the conference, including potential expansion into Newark and Sherwood, greater adoption of AI and sustainability measures, and dedicating time to develop long-term strategies and crisis management plans.
Newark and Sherwood District Council extends its thanks to East Midlands Chamber and all participating organisations for their continued support in driving economic growth and resilience across the region. Next years conference is likely to take place in October 2026 but keep an eye out on the Newark and Sherwood District Council website and social media channels to find out more!
You can watch a video of the conference here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4ZNFsq9zzk