Final Bookings for Shropshire Business Festival
Shropshire Business Festival is taking place on March 5th, 2026, at Telford International Centre. It is the biggest networking event in the county and is free to attend.
Organisers, Shropshire Festivals, have confirmed the final bookings for the event schedule which includes an exhibitor hall, seminars on the Start Tech stage, marketing workshops from Clear, speed networking from Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, a closed session from Simon Adcock from Founder Trap (TM), advice in the Talbots Law Lounge, and one-to-one sessions with ‘Mystic Nick’, aka Nick Jones, Director at Throgmorton Associates Wealth Management.
Helen Spencer, managing partner of WR Partners, has joined the lineup of speakers on the Start Tech seminar stage to present ‘5 Ways to Build Influence Beyond Your Title’. Former BBC journalists Peter Plisner and Chas Watkin will share their insights in how to promote your business on TV and radio, the Start Tech team will dispel AI myths and dissect a real cyber attack, Leigh Buttrey from Clear will show you how to make your marketing budgets go further in 2026, and Dave Courteen will share his story behind the sale of The Shrewsbury Club.
“This is the best business event of the year to grow your contacts and knowledge,” said Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals. “Plus, we’ll have all the usual Shropshire Festivals fun, so conversations effortlessly flow. Get chatting while you drive Chrisbeon’s remote-controlled cars over office furniture, stroke alpacas, throw axes, and play on a human fruit machine!
“A huge thank you to Cartwrights Waste Disposal, Clear, Dulson Training, Human Results, Illuminate FX Group, Monks Estate Agents, Paycare, Shropshire Chamber, Start Tech, Talbots Law, and WPG for their support in elevating this event with their services.”
A sixth special guest has been added to the lineup for the post-festival dinner, Shropshire Business Conversation. Steven Owen, managing director of Pave Aways, joins the lineup of business leaders. He won the John Clayton Award in 2025, recognising his contribution to the Shropshire business community and led a management buyout of Pave Aways in 2011, which helped drive the company’s turnover to over £22 million. Also on the panel of speakers who will sit amongst the guests are Charlie Blakemore - CEO of Intercity Technology, Deborah Mitchell - founder of Heaven Skincare, Sarah Holmes - Managing Director of Merrythought, Will Stratton-Morris - former CEO of Caffè Nero, and Walter Gleeson - co-founder of Music Magpie. The dinner will celebrate Shropshire Business Magazine’s 10th anniversary and is hosted by Carl Jones.
Shropshire Business Festival is taking place on Thursday, March 5th, 2026, from 1pm – 6pm at Telford International Centre, and Shropshire Business Conversation will take place
upstairs at the same venue, from 6pm. Secure your free ticket to the festival, book onto workshops, and purchase a Shropshire Business Conversation ticket at shropshirebusinessfestival.co.uk.
