Staffordshire businesses invited to exclusive networking event

Businesses large and small in Tamworth, Lichfield and Burton are being invited to attend a free networking event that celebrates Staffordshire as a 'nationally valued centre ' of the UK.

The event takes place on 18 November between 8.30-11am at the home of football - the National Centre at St. George 's Park in Burton, and is being delivered by We Are Staffordshire, the place marketing arm of Staffordshire County Council.

Through its Ambassador Events, We Are Staffordshire aims to bring businesses, education, the public sector, the third sector together to really put Staffordshire on the map. With the development of a new 'Staffordshire Storybook ' in late 2020, We Are Staffordshire is delivering events and activities that promote inward investment, support the visitor economy and ultimately the growth of the county.

Titled 'Staffordshire: A nationally valued centre ', the next event will feature presentations from some of the amazing 'nationals ', in Staffordshire: from the National Brewery Centre on Burton 's proud brewing heritage, to the National Ceramic Biennial, sharing our pottery heritage in North Staffordshire and its modern evolution, and the Peak District National Park, who, alongside the National Forest, will share how Staffordshire 's landscape forms a huge part of the county 's identity - and is a central part of our quality of life, too.

Last but not least, attendees will hear from event hosts, the National Football Centre, on the national and international football competitions launched from our Staffordshire home.

Businesses are invited to book their free ticket here

Louisa Shaw, Place Brand manager at We Are Staffordshire, said: “As a county, we have so much to offer - whether you 're looking for a place to live, work, visit or study. The idea of these events is to bring businesses across the county together to hear about and share in Staffordshire 's successes, so those individuals can then 'sell ' Staffordshire in their own business or day to day engagements.

“Our Ambassador Events take place every other month and offer a great opportunity for networking - whilst getting behind-the-scenes access to some of our proudest - and quirkiest - businesses and attractions. ”

Presentations will be followed by a Q&A with all of the speakers, chaired by Paul Williams, former head of Staffordshire University 's Business School and a place marketing and culture expert. Guests will then be split into groups and invited to take a tour of the Football Centre 's main facilities.

Tickets are free and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. A virtual link will be available on the day for attendees to watch the presentations live and those who wish to join virtually are advised to look out for further information on live streaming across We Are Staffordshire 's website and social channels.

As part of this work, We Are Staffordshire is also calling on businesses located in the county to sign up to be 'Staffordshire Ambassadors ' - businesses can find out more and sign up here: Get Involved - We Are Staffordshire.

For more information on We Are Staffordshire, visit: www.wearestaffordshire.co.uk