Forth Valley Business Week
Forth Valley Business Week: Navigating Change
Monday 16 September – Friday 20 September 2024
In a world where change is the only constant, there is huge potential for business growth, innovation, and progress. In the aftermath of the UK election, with an American Presidential election coming up and continued global uncertainty, businesses are having to work hard to ‘Navigate Change’. Get ready for a week of innovation, exploration, and insight as Forth Valley Business Week kicks off on Monday, 16 September. The week-long programme of events explores whether the Forth Valley is fit for the future and how businesses can navigate the challenges and opportunities that change brings.
The week brings together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policy setters to engage in 14 change themed events at venues in Clackmannanshire, Stirling, and Falkirk. The aim is to foster a deeper understanding of the opportunities across the Forth Valley region and beyond. With a new UK government, a new Forth Green Freeport, emerging Forth Valley Regional Economic Strategy and a City Region Deal, the economic landscape of the Forth Valley is being transformed. Forth Valley Business Week, together with the region’s public, private and third sectors, will explore how to get the best possible outcomes in the face of these significant and exciting changes.
Events include workshops, panel discussions, keynote presentations, and interactive training sessions offering attendees the chance to not only learn about how to manage change but also engage in meaningful conversations with experts and peers. Speakers include industry leaders such as Forth Green Freeport, Techscaler from the UK’s largest technology incubator Codebase, and construction firm Robertson. The week ends with a lunch and networking event to raise funds for charity partner, Papyrus the charity for the prevention of suicide in young people.
Forth Valley Business Week Event Schedule
| Date | Event | Speaker | Venue | Event Topic & Content |
| Monday 16th September 9:00-10:30 AM | Navigating Change – Forth Valley Business Week launch event
Invite Only |
Various | Falkirk Business Hub | Change Maker Forum: Change is the only constant for businesses. Big changes coming for all businesses – policy, geo-political, environmental, technology. Specifically in the Forth Valley we also have the opportunities of the Growth and City Deals and Green Free Port. |
| Monday 16th September 2.00-4.00 PM | Discover Clackmannanshire Tourism Networking event | Various | Penny Licks Ice Cream Parlour, Tillicoutry | This quarterly meeting for tourism businesses in Clackmannanshire takes place in Penny Licks, winner of last year’s HEAT competition. |
| Monday 16th September 2.00-4.00 PM | Accounting, Tax & Pension Changes | Craig Clinton and Gail Price | Alloa Business Centre | Presented an accountancy expert and a practicing financial adviser, this two-hour session from Business Gateway Clackmannanshire will review recent legislation changes and how these will impact your business. |
| Tuesday 17th September 9.30 AM – 12.00 PM | How Service-Based Businesses can get more clients using Social Media | Alan Martin | Online | Join us for an exciting Business Gateway Clackmannanshire webinar where you’ll learn how to attract more clients using social media and unlock the secrets of effective lead generation over direct selling. |
| Tuesday 17th September 12.00 PM – 2.00 PM | An Introduction to AI | Luke McConnell | Falkirk Business Hub | Find out what AI can do for your business in this event from Business Gateway Falkirk. Lunch and refreshments are included. |
| Tuesday 17th September 2.00 – 4.00 PM | Planning for Net Zero and Beyond | Stirling University and Thomas Billiam | Alloa Business Centre | Planning for net zero and beyond, this event will look at huge challenges and opportunities that are presented by sustainability and climate change. This event is for Clackmannanshire businesses and is funded by Clackmannanshire Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. |
| Tuesday 17th September All Day | The HEAT ALL DAY EVENT | FINALISTS | Emerge Space, e-Centre, Alloa | Invite only final of the HEAT 24 with start-ups and entrepreneurs pitching their ideas. Winners announced. |
| Wednesday 18th September 9.30-11.30 AM | Flexible Working Management | Flexibility Works | Virtual | Find out more at this Business Gateway Clackmannanshire event about the latest trends and insights into the flexible working landscape in Scotland and beyond, including a look at UK’s new flexible working legislation and what it means for employers. |
| Wednesday 18th September 12.00 – 2:30 PM | Emerge Women | Carrie Currie | Stirling University Innovation Park | Gillian Flemming of Mint Ventures will discuss female investing. A panel of female business owners will then discuss their business journeys sharing practice, tools and techniques that help them navigate change and stay on top of their business needs. LAST FEW SPACES AVAILABLE. |
| Thursday 19th September 9.30-11.30 AM | Implementing Changes in your Business | Phil Harris | Paton Suite, Alloa Business Centre | The event will cover the importance of strong leadership, leading by example, engaging stakeholders and the need for clear and transparent communication when implementing change in your organisation. |
| Thursday 19th September 11.30 AM – 2.00 PM | How AI can help you Grow and Develop your Business | Techscaler | Falkirk Business Hub | Join Techscaler, the Scottish Government funded tech startup accelerator, to explore how AI can help your business, drive growth, and boost innovation. A light lunch is provided, and you’ll also have the chance to network. |
| Thursday 19th September 10am -12pm | Forth Valley Social Enterprise (FVSEN) Meeting | CTSI | Online /Teams | This online event is open to all Forth Valley Social Enterprises to network and hear the latest updates in the third sector in our area. Organised by FVSEN, the network of social enterprises working across Stirling, Falkirk, and Clackmannanshire. |
| Friday 20th September 8.30-10.30 AM | Let’s Network with Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce | Various | Alloa Tower | Network with fellow Chamber members to build your network and develop lasting relationships within the Forth Valley business community. |
| Friday 20th September 12.30 PM | Charity Lunch in support of Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide | Various | Inglewood House & Spa, Alloa | Enjoy a delicious lunch, network with members of the business community and raise money for a worthy cause, Papyrus, at the closing event of Forth Valley Business Week. |
Whether you’re a business owner, an industry leader, or a student curious about the future, Forth Valley Business Week will offer invaluable insights and networking opportunities.
To book onto any of our events, click on the links in the table above. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
Forth Valley Week Charity Lunch
We’ll be raising funds for Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide at our end of Forth Valley Business Week charity lunch.
The HEAT competition
Do you have a brilliant business idea? Are you either planning to start your business or in the early stages of taking your idea to market? Then the HEAT competition could be for you. Enter this ‘Dragon’ Den’ style competition and be in with a chance of winning your share of cash and business support prizes worth nearly £10,000. CLOSING DATE 26 August 2024. Competition is now closed.
