Sussex Business Show 2023 - Event Programme

Photo Credit: Hugh Fox

Photo Credit: Jim Stephenson

All business is symbiotic in nature. You can be inspiring your peers one day, learning from them the next. In the end, people buy people. That makes sharing our stories the most compelling way to connect with one another.

What’s needed is a platform to embrace and empower our regional business ecosystem. Where varied backgrounds and perspectives provide new context. Harnessing potential, enabling growth. And at the heart of it, a dedicated term of curators unlocking insights for the good of us all.

So we’re changing the way people think of connecting. Because we believe in self-reflection, rather than self-promotion. By demystifying the art of storytelling, we deliver authentic thought leadership through events, publishing and broadcast media.

We come together to discover, share and grow. But we won’t be limited by geography, or our imagination.Instead, we’ll seek out local leaders, visionaries and experts, wherever great businesses thrive. Growing communities, in partnership with the businesses that power them. And nurturing the enterpreneurial spirit in everyone.

- 4:00PM

FOREWORD

Business networking, at its heart, is all about…

Making money

Selling your product / service

The people.

More importantly, it’s about the connections between people that drive and enhance businesses. Sonny Cutting is a local entrepreneur from the picturesque village of Hurstpierpoint. And is no stranger to the need for connection in the business world.

As an innovator and disruptor, Sonny is passionate about giving the networking and events industry a much-needed boost. With a clear focus on connecting people through fun events.

Today, as full of creativity and energy as ever, Sonny manages to juggle work and home. One day at a time of course!

He is kept on his toes with the antics of his twins, Jack and Charlotte. And he remains in constant awe of his wife Andrea’s strength, through her battle with multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis encouraged the Cutting family to treasure their time together.

The Unmissable Sussex Business Show

This out-of-the-box thinker created this premier B2B business show to delight and excite vendors, exhibitors, sponsors and visitors alike. The event encourages businesses to network, support and have fun whilst making valuable connections. The Sussex Business Show is simply one arm of the entrepreneurial ventures that Sonny heads up - with other successful elements such as the Directors’ Hub, Tiger’s Pen and more.

We look forward to meeting you on 28th September for the event.

Best wishes,

Sonny, Andrea, Charlotte and Jack.

TALK TIMES

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Flo Powell • Midnight Communications • Joint Managing Director

Just Add PR: The secret ingredient for business growth

10:30am

Flo is the co-owner of award-winning B2B PR agency Midnight. Based in Brighton but operating on a national basis, Midnight’s team of experts manages PR campaigns for some of the country’s biggest companies. Flo will deliver examples of how PR can help businesses grow, reposition and attract investment as well as how to avoid common mistakes.

James Dempster • Fox & Bear

• Managing Director

Marketing In An Economic Downturn: Strategies and tactics for growing in the face of adversity

11:00am

James Dempster is MD and co-founder of Fox & Bear, an award-winning marketing agency with many forward-thinking clients. Having worked in marketing for over a decade he is experienced in telling stories on behalf of his clients that illicit emotional responses in order to deliver the right message at the right time to the right person. When he’s not working he enjoys spending time with his young family, being chair of governors at his son’s school, coaching the mighty Shoreham FC u10s and u7s, and reading copious amounts of historical fiction.

Clare Griffiths • University of Brighton

The Recipe For Innovation Success: How to make your ideas happen

• Innovation Lecturer

11:30am

Clare Griffiths is an award-winning entrepreneurship educator and innovation adviser whose expertise and passion lies in enabling people to turn their ideas into reality.

Clare works in higher education empowering students to start their own venture, and is also the Founder of Thrive - a social enterprise with a purpose to boost the number of female-led, small businesses in the world.

Clare is proud to be a gay, married woman and adoptive parent to two amazing kids and two crazy mutts.

Gavin Willis • Search Seven

• Chief Executive Officer

12:00pm

Together We’re Stronger: How charity fundraising can benefit your community & boost your business

Gavin is founder and CEO of Search Seven, a search marketing agency based in Brighton that specialises in SEO and Paid Media for their array of wonderful clients. His main role of company ambassador sees him promote the great work his team do, engaging with the community, growing partnerships, and organising charity events. Gavin will share some tips on how you can achieve amazing things by engaging your team and community in your charity fundraising efforts.

ROXY VAN DER POST

ALICE REEVES

MICHAEL KENNARD

BEN BENNETT

ROKSANA ANNING

CAMILLE PIERSON

JEREMY JACOBS

YARON ENGLER

AWARD-WINNING

FAST & EFFECTIVE PEST CONTROL

BUILT ON REPUTATION:

FIRST-CLASS SERVICE

VALUE FOR MONEY

TRANSPARENT PRICING

NO HIDDEN COSTS

EXPERT ADVICE

EXHIBITORS

Come and meet our full deck of professional businesses

Digibubble

Surrey Business Expo

University Brighton

Harrie’s Coffee

Rowland SME Business Consulting Ltd

Haywards Health Business Asoc.

Business and IP Centre

Cardinal Newman Catholic School

Gatwick Diamond Business

Virtuessence

Warren House Chartered Accountants

Flame Principles

Care for Veterans

Nettl Face Media Group

Simply Business Finance

Brighton Soup

Aquapax

Ditzy Media

Second Voice

Global OHS

CmdShiftR

Gordian Solutions

Management Inspirations

JPS Wealth Management

Start Communications

Gold Pebble

Blue Billboard

CleanKill Pest Control

Tratech Consulting

Cooden Consulting

Bike Boom

Simply Business Finance

Computers for Kids CIC

FSB

Utility Warehouse

Jonathan Lea Network

Brighton CCTV Ltd

Uniglobe Carter

Whitespace

Phoenix Systems

Phoenix Systems

Letters In Lights

Ship Associates

Not Just a Mother

McMillan Wealth Consultants

McMillan Wealth Consultants

Link Minibuses

Rutherford’s Bailiffs Ltd

Servo Wealth Management

Sussex & Surrey IoT

Sussex & Surrey IoT

Hampshire Business Show

Freedom Works

Sussex Signs

Longwood Business Support

Crest Coaching and HR

EOS Worldwide

BN1 Magazine

Peper Harow Limited

Harriet’s of Hove

Extech Cloud

SECRC

Arracan Group

Shredded Neat UK LLP

Plumpton Racecourse

Nostos Hove

Focus Group

Victoria Healthcare

Nutley Edge

Fresh Display

Elwood Wines

Changing Minds Training

MCR Media

Datacove

IT Document Solutions

Search Seven

Search Seven

Rockinghorse Children’s Charity

Brighton & Hove Financial Consultants Ltd

Sussex Chamber of Commerce

Sussex Business Times

Sussex Business Times

Inspire You

Sussex Cricket

Inside Stories

Delta Security Management

Hickstead Hotel

Pavilion Insurance

RGC

Nettl Face Media Group

SRC Corporate

Chichester

THANK

YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS

Time for change?

Let’s have a talk to find out more on:

1 day MOTs, a golden opportunity to focus on your HR challenges

The opportunities in your business and how to super charge these

How you can (and why you should) embrace Kaizen

How Amy works with her eclectic group of clients

Amy Blick is an experienced and CIPD qualified HR specialist and the founder of exhilHRate. She is renowned for her work with global brands, where she worked at strategic Board level

Now, with her thriving consultancy she brings her expertise to SMEs and boutique firms. No fluff, jargon or filler!

”Amy possesses a killer combination of HR expertise, strategic insight and a passion for perfecting people innovation.” - eLawvate

100 THINGS

TO DO FOR THE SUSSEX BUSINESS SHOW 2023

These are the basic operational elements to get the show live and what you see today!

1. First things first, put the kettle on to make a cup of tea!

2. Find a venue in Brighton - Flo at Midnight says Brighton Dome.

3. Book the venue, and pray that it will be open on time for September 28th.

4. Get home, put kids to bed with a hug and a sing-song.

5. Wake up, rinse, repeat and book back-up venue: just in case in Ardingly.

6. We used Xhibit Shell Hire in Lewes last year! Booked again this year.

7. ‘Play Learn Casino Hire’ partners us for the Casino again - thank you Jamie Alexander.

8. Set up excel spreadsheet to hold all the data for the 2023 show.

9. Booked 1st keynote - thank you to Flo Powell, Midnight.

10. Look for Masterclass Leaders for exclusive talks at the show.

11. Book 2nd keynote - thank you to James Dempster, Fox & Bear.

12. Put together sponsorship packages to entice sponsors to join us.

13. Design a new website on a cutting-edge CMS, thank you WordPress.

14. Re-do website SEO and get a framework partner, Search Seven, in place.

15. Book 3rd keynote speaker - thank you Clare Griffiths, Brighton University.

16. Book the first exhibitor for the tradeshow - thank you Justin, Blue Billboard.

17. Six more exhibitors sign up today for the Sussex Business Show 2023.

18. Working again with local graphic designer - thank you Llott Design.

19. Find a technical company to support us - thank you Martin, H2 Productions.

20. Look for an Insurance Company - thanks Steve, Pavilion Insurance.

21. Book 4th keynote speaker - thank you Gavin, Search Seven.

22. Start social media campaign on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

23. Look at The Tiger’s Pen and start to look for investors.

24. Book a tour with the venue so sponsors can see the space.

25. First sponsor is onboard - thank you Paul Bates, Cleankill Pest Control.

26. Change the social media tags to fit with the rebrand #SussexBizShow @SussexBizShow

27. Another sponsor onboard - thank you Simon, Cooden Tax Consultants.

28. Put the kettle on to make more cups of tea (145) this month!

29. Networking starts with lots of meetups in Sussex.

30. Sonny optimises the social media campaigns for next 3 months.

31. Jim at Nettl Face Media Group joins us as Print Sponsor again, thank you.

32. Lyndsey Lee of LCL Virtual Assistant helps with the admin - thank you.

33. Rockinghorse become the nominated Charity Partner - thanks to Search Seven.

34. Natasha Kingdon of H2 Words helps us with copywriting to give us a fun tone

35. We get a call that we’re returning to Brighton University with The Tiger’s Pen.

36. The Tiger’s Pen takes shape and a date is set in January 2023.

37. We ring over 100 companies to gain interest in the Sussex Biz Show.

38. Toyota Brighton became our networking sponsor, thank you Barry.

39. The Directors’ Hub: Founders Support Club website is remade in WordPress.

40. Read ‘Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi’ which teaches me a few secrets to success.

41. Friday is made a permanent day off to relax, play golf or watch Netflix if it’s raining.

42. SRC Corporate Finance return as our Show Bag Sponsor, thanks Rupert.

43. The Directors’ Hub: Founders Support Club gains its trademark.

44. Ring the venue in March to see where we’re at with everything that needs to be done.

45. Chat to Naomi at Hickstead Hotel and they agree to supply tablecloths.

46. Attendees start registering to attend - first in, is Daniel, from ParaStudio.

47. 45+ new registrations since the 1st person signed up on the website.

48. Adverts for the show guide start to take shape as more businesses sign up.

49. Duncan at Silent Seminars asks to partner us again for 2023, awesome.

50. Harry Daymond agrees to be the compere for The Tiger’s Pen, thank you.

51. I asked Darth Vader to join on Sept. 28th for the event… ‘heavy breathing’ ok then…

52. Our first masterclass leader speaker, Yaron Engler, said yes to joining us.

53. Our second masterclass leader speaker, Camille Pierson, said yes to joining us.

54. Our third masterclass leader speaker, Ben Bennett, said yes to joining us.

55. Our fourth masterclass leader speaker, Alice Reeves, said yes to joining us.

56. Our fifth masterclass leader speaker, Jeremy Jacobs, said yes to joining us.

57. More social media posts to entice people to visit us at The Dome, Corn Exchange.

58. Jon Campling, accepts the compere role for 2023 after loving the 2022 Show.

59. Ring the venue in June to see where we’re at with everything that needs to be done.

60. Spoke to our sixth masterclass leader speaker, thank you to Roxsana Anning.

61. Spoke to our seventh masterclass leader speaker, thank you to Michael Kennard.

62. Spoke to our eighth masterclass leader speaker, thank you to Roxy Van Der Post.

63. Another exhibitor is signed up today - Crest Coaching and HR, thank you

64. Coffee sponsor comes onboard - thank you to James, Servo Private Wealth.

65. Website updates take all day as the site needs a major update with GA4 on the horizon...

66. Mailchimp is dropped for MailPoet as an alternative newsletter.

67. All expo stands for the Sussex Business Show are SOLD.

68. Parking in Brighton can be hard! We partner with Link Minibuses.

69. More tea is consumed and a slice of cake is added - thank you Brighton Cakes.

70. Start searching for more sponsors for the Sussex Business Show.

71. Networking is stepped up as we get more businesses asking about the show.

72. Floor plan takes shape as more and more exhibitors sign up for spaces.

73. The Customer Experience Awards with Mystery Shopping starts for exhibitors.

74. Casino prizes for the Grand Draw are ordered including inflatable flamingos.

75. Coordination with supporting event staff and Rockinghorse for the show is set up.

76. Thank you to The Dome and it’s Support Staff for today’s event.

77. Help arrives with Martin Leppard and Sophie Pink to help with Event Management.

78. Several new clients sign up on Go Cardless to spread their costs and we’re happy to help.

79. We now have 15 businesses on the waiting list for expo stands for this years show.

80. Another sponsor signs up today, thank you to Focus Group UK.

81. We’re contacted by ACCREDO to be our Lanyard Badge Sponsor - of course, thank you.

82. Hexology partners us as App Sponsor for 2023 – Thank you

83. A waiting list starts to build for people wanting expo stands.

84. It is agreed that the new Electric Toyota car is being placed outside The Dome.

85. New T’ Shirt Sponsor joins us with Nostos Hove & Little Jasmine Therapies and Spa.

86. It seems like we’re on the homeward stretch for the new trade show experience.

87. Invoices go out for the trade show stands and many are not paid! Slight panic attack.

88. Businesses re-invoiced and companies start to pay for their stand spaces. Panic averted.

89. A few late arrivals come onboard as exhibitors; Malmaison Brighton - thank you.

90. The new Intro for motion graphics video is showcased in an email to us by Igloo Media.

91. A few cancellations! All good as we have a waiting list... Welcome Sussex Cricket.

92. The Show Guide is finally finished - it’s been a challenging time putting it all together.

93. All the Grand Draw prizes start turning up at the office and we put raffle tickets on them.

94. We visited Ridgeview to get several bottles of wine for the show to give out as prize.

95. None of the speakers drop out, absolutely brilliant. We now have a full house.

96. A few cancellations for stands! Waiting list activated... Welcome Plumpton Racecourse.

97. New Headline Sponsor - Mayo Wynne Baxter – Two weeks before we go to print.

98. Final prep and newsletter for attendees to book in for the show at the Dome.

99. The day has arrived and over 365 days of planning is compressed into 6 hours.

100. Attendees, exhibitors and sponsors.... Get out of bed: Head to the Show: Enjoy the Day.

Way too many people to thank, and things happening next year as we build upon the success.

All the sponsors, you know who you are, all the exhibitors, and of course all the guests for making the effort to attend this, our first ever game themed tradeshow experience for Brighton.

If after looking at this and you think we deserve a GOOGLE REVIEW at the end of the day! Please do give us your feedback, positive, negative, it does not matter, we learn from you….

EXHIBITOR FLOOR PLAN

TESTIMONIAL

Working with Sonny Cutting at the Sussex Business Show

I recently had the pleasure of working with Sonny Cutting at the Sussex Business Show 2022, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience. Sonny possesses an incredible skill set that not only includes his extensive network of business owners but also his ability to bring different businesses together in a fun and unique way.

He understands that networking events can often feel stale and repetitive, so he puts in the effort to infuse creativity and excitement into every Show he curates.

Working with Sonny Cutting at the Sussex Business Show last year was an absolute pleasure and i’m very excited to be working with him again this year. If you have the opportunity to collaborate with Sonny, I highly recommend seizing it. He is a true professional who will not only help expand your network but also make the process enjoyable and memorable.

Lyndsey Lee LCL Virtual PA

LEARNINGS FROM OVER HALF A DECADE OF BUSINESS TRADESHOWS

In just half a decade, my eyes have been opened to how much work is involved in organising expos and how powerful they can be in connecting individuals.

Like many others, I built my business up from next to nothing. My market research into tradeshows was going to other people’s events; seeing how to run them (and what to avoid!). By attending events, conferences and networking across the south, I started to see how the expo business is complex, with many moving elements and cogs to organise and manage.

Follow my top five tips to help you connect with individuals at a tradeshow if you’re an exhibitor, whether it’s your first time or if you’re a seasoned pro.

Whether you’re a business hungry to showcase what you do or an entrepreneur wanting to connect with other like-minded people, a tradeshow is a perfect place to do it. Face-to-face business events don’t just give you a chance to get leads; they provide you with the rare opportunity to form bonds in the business community and share experiences. They promote that all-important human connection that you don’t always get over the internet or through social media.

But before you sign up for a stand or book a ticket, it pays to know a bit about them to make the most of your experience.

Top tips for attendees

1. Pack your portable chargers for your mobile phone

There is nothing worse than running out of juice before you’ve finished doing social media posts and selfies at the event. You’ll thank us later.

2. Keynote speakers

Make an effort to attend the speakers at events. They’ve been chosen for their expertise and what they can bring to the table. So, sit down for 20 minutes, take the weight off and relax whilst learning from an amazing speaker to broaden your knowledge in business.

3. Get social

It’s mega important to be socially active during the event. Tell everyone you’re going to be there and share the #tags. Event organisers rely heavily on guests sharing content, so help and support them if you like it and give your own publicity a boost too.

4. Try to see EVERYTHING

Schedule the day and diarise what you want to see by looking at the website and the special elements of the show. We showcase everything about the Sussex Business Show on the website with a media pack with times and what’s on. You may not get to see it all, but you do want to see a lot of it, so make sure you go to the event knowing what stands out to you.

5. Give feedback

Many guests simply show up, take photos, take a swag bag, see what stuff they can get, and then leave without giving any feedback on the event. Try and provide feedback or comment on social media about the tradeshow or exhibition – as well as being helpful for the organisers, it can help build those all-important business relations.

Tradeshows present a wealth of opportunities on whichever side of the fence you sit on but above all, they should be fun. New business, connections, and networking are all important but make sure you enjoy yourself too. For more top tips, view us #SussexBizShow @SussexBizShow

Site for more info - www.sussexbizshow.com

Sonny Cutting

September 28th, 2023 will mark our sixth anniversary of running tradeshows

The top things you should know before you join or visit a tradeshow

Simply Business F inance Limited is a Sussex based independent commercial finance brokerage, helping businesses save time, money and manage that all impor tant cash-flow. Allowing them to get on with the most impor tant job of running their business

W ith so many different types of business finance being adver tised, it can seem like a complicated process. We take the time to get to know our customers and remove the need for them to enter lengthy (and sometimes pointless conversations) with their incumbent lender, all so that we can deliver the correct type of finance that will enable their business to grow

W ith access to over 250 different lenders we can provide multiple funding types including (but not limited to);

Business Loans

(secured and unsecured)

Invoice Finance Bridging Loans

Asset Finance Stock & Trade Finance Development Funding

We pride ourselves in being able to source the most suitable finance facilities to match the individual needs of a business. Some recent success stories of how we have helped with one of our top funders A can be found here:

If you are considering any type of business finance, we’d love to hear from you, so for a free and no obligation chat please contact us on 01273 961 755.

Industrial, Commercial & Workplace Supplies

 Over 8000 product lines

 50 specialist su ppliers

 500+ pages of products

Lockers

Safety Matting

Trucks

Tool Storage & Trollies

Hazardous Storage Safety Signs

Waste Management Containers

Racking & Shelving PPE

www.phoenix-sys.co.uk

Safety Steps

Spill Kits

Nutley Edge Cottages Nutley Edge Cottages

Nutley Edge is a beautiful rural self-catering holiday site owned by London based charity Outward

Nutley Edge is a beautiful rural self-catering holiday site owned by London based charity Outward

The site sits on 11 acres of paddocks and woodland, overlooking the stunning landscape of the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

Nutley Edge is a beautiful rural self-catering holiday site owned by London based charity Outward. The site sits on 11 acres of paddocks and woodland, overlooking the stunning landscape of the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

The site sits on 11 acres of paddocks and woodland, overlooking the stunning landscape of the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

Nutley Edge is a beautiful rural self-catering holiday site owned by London based charity Outward. The site sits on 11 acres of paddocks and woodland, overlooking the stunning landscape of the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

You can choose from a range of quality accommodation, including a 17th Century Farmhouse ideal for families and friends It is also a great venue for group bookings, events and wedding receptions

You can choose from a range of quality accommodation, including a 17th Century Farmhouse ideal for families and friends It is also a great venue for group bookings, events and wedding receptions

We have two wheelchair accessible cottages within our courtyard area.

You can choose from a range of quality accommodation, including a 17th Century Farmhouse ideal for families and friends It is also a great venue for group bookings, events and wedding receptions

You can choose from a range of quality accommodation, including a 17th Century Farmhouse ideal for families and friends. It is also a great venue for group bookings, events and wedding receptions.

We are dog friendly

We have two wheelchair accessible cottages within our courtyard area

We have two wheelchair accessible cottages within our courtyard area

We have two wheelchair accessible cottages within our courtyard area.

We are dog friendly

We are dog friendly

We are dog friendly

THINGS TO SEE

TESTIMONIALS

“We wanted to say thank you to Sonny and the team at Network Xpress, we had a fantastic event. We met some wonderful people, enjoyed great food and brilliant speakers, and had a thoroughly inspiring and thought provoking day.”

Terry

Director Inside Stories

“Thank you for an absolutely great event. As a punter who pre-registered, your event offered me everything I expected. All the talks were relevant and useful and it was great to meet the exhibitors. I have emailed quite a few people already.”

Ami Prifti, Director Sussex Makeup Academy

“I’ve been a member of the Directors Hub for over a year now, and I feel I’ve already benefited from discussions I’ve had with the other members in the group. The monthly face-to-face meetings provide the opportunity to openly discuss issues and topics with likeminded professionals in a relaxed and informal setting.”

Steve Powell, Director Fresh Display Ltd

I’ve been a member of the Director’s Hub for some three years. During that time, I’ve found it both an enjoyable and informative experience in the company of some quality individuals. Sonny has been a pleasure to work with over the years and he’s created something very special with the Directors’ Hub: Founders Support Hub and I look forward to remaining a member for many years.

Paul Dallibar, Director Gordian Solutions

Bower,

What do you want from your website?

Brand Awareness

Showcase your brand and presence online through a portfolio-style website.

Portfolio • Brochure Website

Lead Conversion

Turn website visitors into leads by collecting contact information, allowing businesses to nurture relationships and increase sales.

Forms • Analytics • Data

E-commerce

An E-commerce website can help your business to expand its reach and grow by allowing you to sell your products or services online to a wider audience.

Shopify • Woocommerce

Portal

Streamline the way you do business by offering a one-stop-shop to effectively manage your services and resources online.

Customer • Suppliers • Resellers • Members

“The Gold Pebble team did a great job at redesigning our website. They have made content management completely hassle-free!

Arfa Mirza, University of Oxford

(Foresight4Food)

goldpebble.co.uk/sussexbusinessshow

Report value: £495.00