Innovation and sustainability take centre stage as businesses hail Chamber expo success

Businesses from across the region gathered at Edgbaston Stadium yesterday for the Greater Birmingham Business Expo, where industry leaders highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence, workforce development and sustainability.

Around 60 exhibitors and hundreds of delegates attended the event, bringing together organisations from a wide range of sectors, including training, human resources, fleet management and higher education.

The event also held four silent seminars with a varied panel of industry experts. A recurring theme throughout the seminars was the increasing role of AI in business.

While many exhibitors emphasised the technology's potential to improve productivity and efficiency, others stressed the importance of implementing it responsibly and maintaining appropriate human oversight.

Jessica Gladston, marketing manager at The Development Manager, said employers were increasingly turning to apprenticeships to equip their workforce with future-focused skills.

She said: "We are seeing more employers taking apprenticeships more seriously, looking at larger cohorts of learners and using them to reskill the staff they already have."

Ms Gladston said the growing demand for AI skills had prompted the company to launch an AI and Automation Level 4 Practitioner Apprenticeship.

She added: "We have introduced the AI and Automation Level 4 Practitioner Apprenticeship to help employers move beyond curiosity and start actively integrating AI into their operations."

Some businesses warned against becoming overly reliant on emerging technologies.

Lucy Clark, managing director of Bitesize HR, said AI could be a valuable tool but should not replace professional expertise, particularly in areas such as employment law and compliance.

Business growth was another key topic discussed during the event.

Fleet management specialist runyourfleet reported increasing demand for salary sacrifice vehicle schemes, which it said had contributed to company growth.

Tony Rostill, account manager for runyourfleet said concerns around electric vehicle charging infrastructure remained a barrier for some drivers.

He said: "There is still some range anxiety for people. If they are doing 25,000 or 30,000 business miles a year, the thought of having to stop and charge is still causing concern."

Sustainability also featured prominently in conversations throughout the expo.

Representatives from Aston University's Green Advantage Programme said businesses were increasingly recognising environmental initiatives as opportunities to reduce costs and support long-term growth.

Speaking on behalf of the programme, Rosie Crabbe said many organisations were exploring how emerging technologies could support sustainability goals.

She said: "A lot of businesses are speaking about AI and how it can be used in a sustainable way."

Ms Crabbe added that while some businesses still viewed sustainability as an expense, many were beginning to recognise the commercial benefits of investing in environmentally responsible practices.

Among those attending the expo was Phil Webb, founder of Vu AI agency, who said the event offered valuable opportunities to connect with clients and learn from organisations across a range of sectors.

He said: "It's exciting to see how different industries are surviving and how they're all adapting to new technology and what's going on around them."

The event highlighted how businesses across the West Midlands are balancing technological innovation, workforce development and sustainability as they prepare for future growth.