Norfolk Chambers COO, Jack Weaver
“You may think that the UK’s largest agricultural county show is an unlikely setting for a Chambers of Commerce to deliver one of their biggest events of the year. But if you visited our Business Zone last week, you’d have seen why this is now such a firm fixture in our events calendar.
“In the midst of the hottest June day on record, our Norfolk Chambers team pulled off a triumph of collaboration in the largest marquee at the Royal Norfolk Show… but we couldn’t have done it alone.
“At keynote speeches across the show, I heard from four or five different speakers on the importance of collaboration, unity of voice and collective effort. For Norfolk to thrive and continue to punch above its weight, our county has to work together. And as we look ahead to a slightly uncertain political and economic landscape, that collaboration must become more than a rhetorical device. It’s now mission-critical for Norfolk.
“And that is why our Business Zone was such a huge success. Across the two days we worked hand in hand with our headline sponsors UEA for Business, who provided free drop-in clinics advising businesses on how the university could support them. That spirit of collaboration was built on by our breakfast sponsor National Grid, who spoke about the huge investment they’re making in rewiring ageing power infrastructure and supercharging UK growth — equating to £300m in community investment alongside the physical works.
“The conversations that flowed from those sessions spilled over into our packed drinks receptions, refreshed by the fantastic Chet Valley Vineyard and Redwell Brewery after long days in the sun.
“When we first launched the Business Zone at the 2023 show, we set out to create a curated space dedicated to those who wouldn’t normally think of showcasing themselves at an agricultural show. By year four, we’ve proved that businesses of any size and sector can come together here — connected to the world outside by Uptech, fuelled by fresh coffee from Coffee Quest, and with a fantastic professional environment built by IQ Workspace, bringing a little taste of our city-centre co-working space to the showground.
“As the dust settles and the banners are rolled up, the feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike has been brilliant. New partnerships are already forming, and positive leads are turning into new clients.
“I’m incredibly proud of what our team achieved this year. And as we look ahead to our B2B Exhibition in October and our 130th birthday celebrations, I can’t wait to see Norfolk’s business community at its very best again.”
