Businesses in Christchurch and East Dorset have flocked to find out more about the councils’ economic Growth Plan at events organised by Liz Lean PR.
Christchurch and East Dorset Council’s Partnership appointed us to help promote their ‘Going for Growth’ Plan and to organise two events in March. We helped co-ordinate the messaging and communications strategy and are producing newsletters and social media content to support the PR activity.
The Growth Plan heralds an exciting new time for local businesses, with considerable investment across infrastructure, training, new business sites and plenty more, to build a future for a secure, vibrant economy.
Last week saw the first Partnership event of the year take place at Dudsbury Golf Club, starting at 7.45am for breakfast and networking, and finishing at 9.30am, leaving plenty of time for people to return to the office for a day’s work.
The purpose of the events is to promote the roll-out of the Partnerships’ Growth Plan to businesses and key stakeholders.
Speakers included John Mills, managing director of Keith Spicer Ltd, Paul Knight, managing director of Bournemouth International Airport and Dugald Lockhart, project leader at Superfast Dorset.
Paul Knight spoke about the airport’s global connectivity and how it has been significantly enhanced by the recent introduction of twice-daily Flybe services.
The Dorset Superfast Broadband Partnership is investing more than £10 million, in partnership with BT, to ensure the upgrade of broadband and 3G/4G sites, including around the airport. Superfast Dorset is ahead of the game with their implementation of broadband in the region, with one particular area of Dorset, the Holt Ward achieving three years of take-up levels in six months.
We received positive feedback from both events, including…
“It was an informative and thought-provoking event, thank you.” Sally Mackness, director of Float the Boat
“Would definitely like to be kept updated about future events.” Moe Kochar, Spectrum
“An excellent event.” Paul Knight, Bournemouth Airport
The second Going for Growth event took place on Tuesday March 10 at Christchurch Harbour Hotel. Following a similar set-up, there were businesses and key stakeholders present, with presentations from Andrew Murray, group principal planner at Manchester Airport Group and Ian Griffiths, managing director of Purewell Electrical. We’re delighted that both events were fully booked.
This is a pivotal time for Christchurch and East Dorset businesses, according to Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership chief executive, David McIntosh.
“We are starting to see real growth in the area, with unemployment rates at less than one per cent,” he said.
“But we can’t rest on our laurels. We need to create the best opportunity for our changing economy to grow and your business to succeed. This is a dynamic and evolving initiative, which will only work with partnership from local businesses.”
If you require further information or have a story for the next Going 4 Growth newsletter, please email economy@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk and follow on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
To find out more about how Liz Lean PR can help with your event, call Shona on 01202 701828.