Hillingdon Business Expo: All you need to know about the event

Visitors to the first ever Hillingdon Business Expo are promised a day to remember.

The programme for the celebration of borough business and businesses, at Brunel University London, includes a main exhibition space with more than 50 exhibitors drawn from the borough’s small and medium-sized companies and large Plcs, plus a workshop programme of expert speakers.

Thursday (July 9) in the Hamilton Suite at the university in Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, begins with an invitation-only Business Breakfast sponsored by Ward Williams chartered accountants of Harefield Road, Uxbridge, for around 80 guests.

Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor George Cooper, will be the guest of honour, and the keynote speaker - Fran Beasley, the chief executive of Hillingdon Council – will set the ball rolling on the theme of why Hillingdon is a great place to be in business.

After a hectic morning of workshops on topics ranging from brownfield land release and re-development to securing crowd funding, and from using social media in order to grow your business to the benefits of Crossrail, exhibitors and guests can then relax and enjoy a bit of networking over a barbecue lunch and a drink courtesy of Sodexo, the university’s catering partner.

An afternoon of workshops will conclude with a drinks reception, sponsored by Kingston Smith chartered accountants, of Uxbridge Road, Hayes, on the theme: ‘Why large companies have made Hillingdon their home’.

The whole day is woven through with prize draws courtesy of local traders and companies. Street magician ‘Dippy Street Magic’ will perform jaw-dropping illusions, and musicians will play during the lunch interval and drinks reception.

Hillingdon Business Expo 2015 will end at around 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome from 9.30am, when the main hall opens. The barbecue, from noon-3pm, is free of charge, and there will be two bars selling both alcoholic and soft drinks.

On-campus parking is free of charge. The buses U1, U3, U4, U5 and U7 all serve the campus, which is a 20-minute walk from Uxbridge station on the Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines and which also has easy bus connections to West Drayton and Hayes stations.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London and Conservative MP for Uxbridge & South Ruislip, has backed the event.

He said: "I warmly congratulate all those involved in the Hillingdon Business Expo.

“This is an excellent initiative and demonstrates what a thriving business community there is in the borough."

Provisional programme

8am Business Breakfast with Fran Beasley, Chief Executive, Hillingdon Council sponsored by Ward Williams

9.30am Hillingdon Business Expo 2015 opens!

10am Workshop Sessions 1

10.50am Business card prize draw

11am Workshop Sessions 2

11.50am Business card prize draw

12 Workshop Sessions 3

BBQ lunch (12–3pm, Hamilton balcony) sponsored by Sodexo

2pm Workshop Sessions 4

2.50pm Business card prize draw

3pm Workshop Sessions 5

3.50pm Business card prize draw

4pm Workshop Sessions

4.50pm Business card prize draw

5pm Drinks reception sponsored by Kingston Smith

6pm ‘Doing Business in the Borough’

‘Why global corporates have made Hillingdon their home’

7.30pm Close

Workshop programme (further speakers will be added)

John Clement, partner and head of litigation and dispute resolution, Turbervilles Solicitors:‘Changes to consumer law.’
John Goldsmith, Crossrail area community relations manager: ‘Crossrail: a catalyst for growth in Hillingdon.’
Superintendent Nick Downing, borough commander, Metropolitan Police, Hillingdon: ‘Working together for a safer Hillingdon’
Tony Ryan, director, Pro-Actions, London: ‘Taking your business to the next level.’
Tony Laws, head of land and acquisitions Clearview Homes: ‘We Recycle Land!’
Stuart Aston, national security officer, Microsoft: ‘Assessing the cyber threat landscape from a Microsoft perspective.’
Gayle Edwards, ‘The Breakthru’ Diva’: ‘Selling with soul - without selling your soul.’
Jon Dawson, partner, Kingston Smith chartered accountants: ‘Ultimate Business Intelligence – driving your business with real-time information to improve your business performance.’
Tom Beaumont, head of business development, Invest & Fund Ltd: ‘How Modern Alternative Finance Can Help your Business Grow.’
Daniel Fairbairn, e-learning manager, Uxbridge College: ‘Using social media for business.’