You’re invited to the 2025 Economic Growth Conference: Resilience and Growth in a Changing World

Free to attend and running from 8.30am to 2.00pm, the conference brings together local businesses and industry experts for a day of insight, inspiration, and practical support focused on building resilience and driving growth in today’s evolving economic landscape.

This year’s theme, Resilience and Growth in a Changing World, will explore how businesses can adapt, innovate, and thrive in the face of ongoing economic and technological change. The event will feature a dynamic mix of keynote talks, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities — all designed to inspire and equip local businesses with the tools they need to succeed.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Bev Hurley, CEO of YTKO. With a track record of supporting over 20,000 businesses and creating more than 10,000 jobs, Bev brings a wealth of experience and insight. She is also a recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. Her talk will focus on the key drivers of business growth, the challenges that keep business owners up at night, and how to build effective strategies for the future.

The event will be hosted by Laurey Buckland, author, storyteller, and founder of Mindset and Messaging. Laurey will guide attendees through the day’s sessions and lead a networking activity in the afternoon, helping to foster new connections and collaborations.

Workshops and talks will cover a range of timely topics, including responding to crisis, AI and digital transformation, and sustainable growth. The full programme will be announced soon.

Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I’m really excited to welcome everyone to this year’s Economic Growth Conference — our fifth event of its kind. Each year, the conference grows in ambition and impact, and it’s fantastic to see so many local businesses coming together to share ideas, learn from one another, and build valuable connections.

“Supporting local businesses is a key priority for the District Council. In a rapidly changing world, it’s more important than ever that we provide opportunities for our business community to access the tools they need to grow.

“The Economic Growth Conference is one of the ways we do this — bringing together expert speakers, practical workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. We want to see our local businesses thrive, and this event is part of our ongoing commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic growth across Newark and Sherwood.”

The conference is once again proudly sponsored by East Midlands Chamber.

The event is free to attend but places are limited and booking is essential. To reserve your place, please contact will.parkinson@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.