Launchpad Southend

HR Prime FREE training session-Christmas Parties/ Vicarious Liability (Including Managing Addiction)
2025-11-06 11:30 - 12:30 UTC | Online
Welcome to HR Prime’s FREE training session on Christmas Parties and Vicarious Liability (Including Managing Addiction)! Join us online for an informative and interactive session where we will discuss the legal implications and best practices for managing holiday parties in the workplace. Learn how to navigate vicarious liability issues and effectively handle addiction concerns within your organization.
Please register to secure your spot!

Visibility Without Virality: The Smarter Ways to Attract, and Convert, Clients Online
2025-11-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Welcome to the Small Business Saturday Webinar Programme!
Join us as we gear up for Small Business Saturday on 6th December with our series of free, virtual webinars designed to help small businesses grow. Each webinar is hosted by successful small business owners and recorded for later viewing.
Attend 10 sessions, and receive a free gift from us! You know that your business needs to be visible to be successful, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if your business goes viral, you’ll get lots of eyes on your business and solve all your sales problems. But chasing virality is tiring, to say the least, and the reality is that going viral won’t solve all your sales problems.
In Visibility Without Virality, Business and Marketing Strategist Charelle Griffith is going to show you an alternative way to be visible online. A way that doesn’t rely on you being glued to social media, but will still enable you to attract clients now and in the future.
You’ll learn:
– Why virality isn’t necessary and shouldn’t be a goal for most businesses
– What you should be focusing on instead of going viral
– How to attract and convert clients online
Sign up for more webinars in this series here: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/the-tour

Stop the Scroll, Regain Control (how to manage screen time)
2025-11-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Welcome to the Small Business Saturday Webinar Programme!
Join us as we gear up for Small Business Saturday on 6th December with our series of free, virtual webinars designed to help small businesses grow.
Each webinar is hosted by successful small business owners and recorded for later viewing.
Attend 10 sessions, and receive a free gift from us! In a world of digital distractions, endless notifications, and infinite scrolling, it’s easy to lose hours to screens without even realising it. Join Sam Flynn on how to take back control of your screen time, and ensure you make the most out of your time. Whether you’re looking to reclaim focus, boost productivity, or simply find more time offline, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to make meaningful changes.
You’ll learn
– How to stop endlessly scrolling and use technology more intentionally
– Mastering the art of focused attention
– focus on the task at hand
– How to set digital boundaries that actually stick
Sign up for more webinars in this series here: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/the-tour

Festival of Business: Building a Greater Essex
2025-11-05 10:00 - 15:00 | Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 1QP, United Kingdom
Back for its fourth year, our premier event for businesses across Essex to connect, collaborate, and celebrate success will be held on Wednesday 5 November, from 10.00am until 3.00pm at Chelmsford City Racecourse.
Essex is a powerhouse of innovation, enterprise, and opportunity, making this year’s theme “Building a Greater Essex” the perfect place to focus on strengthening our local economy, celebrating innovation, and helping businesses connect and grow.
From its strategic location as a logistics and distribution hub, to its cutting-edge advancements in manufacturing, engineering, and digital technology, Essex is shaping the future of business. Creative industries are thriving, while financial services, life sciences, and healthcare drive growth and innovation. With its vibrant tourism sector, rich agricultural heritage, and leadership in renewable energy, Essex is a county of endless possibilities.
Join us, and Main Sponsors – Essex County Council, as we showcase the incredible businesses, partnerships, and opportunities that are “Building a Greater Essex” for everyone!
🏗️ Event Highlights include:
Business Expo: Explore a dynamic showcase of local businesses and organisations across various industries. From established enterprises to emerging innovators, this is your chance to discover new products, services, and partnership opportunities.
Inspiring Speakers: Hear from our lineup of keynote speakers and panel discussions which will provide valuable insights into emerging trends, strategies for growth, and stories of success.
Best in Business Award: Celebrate excellence in Essex! The Festival’s prestigious Business Award recognises outstanding achievements across categories such as innovation, sustainability, and community impact. Join us in honouring the businesses and individuals who are making a difference in our region.
Networking Opportunities: Forge meaningful connections with fellow professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, collaborate on new projects, or simply share ideas, the Festival offers unparalleled opportunities to engage with the Essex business community.

Breaking Barriers: Your goals and overcoming Road Blocks
2025-11-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Welcome to the Small Business Saturday Webinar Programme!
Join us as we gear up for Small Business Saturday on 6th December with our series of free, virtual webinars designed to help small businesses grow.
Each webinar is hosted by successful small business owners and recorded for later viewing.
Attend 10 sessions, and receive a free gift from us! Setting goals is easy, reaching them is where most of us get stuck.
In this session, Rhea Freeman, author of You’ve Got This, will explore the best practical strategies for setting goals that actually work, uncovering the hidden barriers that hold us back, and show you how to break through them with confidence.
You will learn:
– How to set goals the right way
– To develop the honesty and self awareness to know what’s stopping you
– How to overcome three of the most common blocks
Sign up for more webinars in this series here: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/the-tour

Understanding and Developing a Marketing Strategy
2025-11-04 10:00 - 12:30 | Online
An area that many small and new businesses struggle with is developing and defining their marketing approach. Creating a marketing strategy document is something every business owner should do before you start marketing your business. This document not only helps you discover your target market, your focus for messaging, and your strengths as a business, but it can become your ultimate marketing reference guide, keeping all your promotional material consistent, concise, and clear.
In this 2.5-hour intensive webinar, we dive into the key areas of a marketing strategy document, breaking down its key sections, and equipping you with the knowledge and tools needed to go and craft your own!
Event details:
Time: 10am – 12:30pm
Location: Online (ZOOM)
Cost: £35pp
In this power-packed session, we will cover:

What is Marketing Strategy?

Market Analysis

SWOT Analysis

Identifying Target Audiences

Analysing Competitor Landscape

Crafting Your Unique Value Proposition:

Defining Your Brand Identity

Creating Compelling Messaging

Choosing the Right Channels

Measuring Success with KPIs

Get ready for an immersive learning experience that will transform the way you approach marketing strategy!

Meet the Host:
Stacey Pretty | Marketing Director, Let’s Do Marketing

Stacey is the Marketing Director of Let’s Do Marketing, a marketing consultancy and services agency which is tailored to specifically support new and small businesses with organising and fulfilling their marketing ideas. With over 17 years of marketing experience, working in both B2B and B2C environments, Stacey has extensive experience in managing, creating, and promoting a variety of products and services using both online and offline marketing tools. Understanding the challenges faced by new and small businesses, Stacey seeks to simplify the complexities of marketing, with an approach focused on effectiveness and consistency, ensuring that every marketing effort translates into tangible results. For Stacey, marketing isn’t just about campaigns; it’s about building relationships and fostering an excellent customer experience.

Train Your AI in 1 Hour (So It Actually Sounds Like You)
2025-11-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Welcome to the Small Business Saturday Webinar Programme! Join us as we gear up for Small Business Saturday on 6th December with our series of free, virtual webinars designed to help small businesses grow.
Each webinar is hosted by successful small business owners and recorded for later viewing.
Attend 10 sessions, and receive a free gift from us!
Do you want your AI assistant to truly reflect your voice, tone, and personality?
In this webinar, Julie Begbie shows you how to train your AI in just one hour, with no tech background required. Learn simple and effective techniques to make your AI write like you, think like you, and communicate like you. Perfect for anyone who wants to save time without sounding robotic.
You’ll learn:
– The exact prompts to use
– How to teach your AI ‘you’ authentically
– How to use your trained AI in day to day
Sign up for more webinars in this series here: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/the-tour

Using Canva to Create Content
2025-10-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
Description
Want to learn how to create eye-catching and engaging graphics for your business? Join our Using Canva workshop to find out how to utilise the online graphic design platform Canva to make everything from your company branding to social media posts and more!
Event details:
Time: 10am – 11:30am
Location: Online (ZOOM)
Cost: £25pp (£30pp from after April)
In this course, we’ll cover everything from:

How to sign up and get set up on the platform

How to navigate Canva as a beginner

Creating a brand kit for your business

Creating a new graphic together for a campaign for a business

Walkthrough of all the basic features of Canva

Resizing designs to make posters and leaflets

As part of the live event of this workshop, we will also have a Questions and Answers session to finish this online workshop, where participants can ask specific questions about how to use Canva for their business.

Meet the Host:
Kerry Madge | Marketing Executive, Let’s Do Marketing

Kerry Madge is a dynamic Marketing Executive at Let’s Do Marketing, bringing nearly six years of diverse experience collaborating with businesses of all sizes. Holding a BA in Marketing Management, Kerry excels in social media advertising, graphic design, and copywriting. Her passion lies in crafting creative solutions and developing comprehensive marketing strategies that empower small businesses to visualise and achieve their overarching goals.

Selling to Public Sector: A practical introduction to tendering
2025-10-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Join this webinar to demystify the tendering process and gain practical tips on winning public sector contracts.

About this event

Business • Startups

Want to win public sector contracts but you’re not sure where to start?
Join this 30-minute introductory session with Melanie Bryan OBE DL, which will demystify the tendering process, draw on “real life” examples of small businesses and provide lots of practical tips.
Topics covered in this session

What tendering is and how it differs from proposals

Where to find tenders

How to decide if a tender is right for you

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

How to get your business tender-ready

About the speaker
Melanie is a tendering expert with over 30 years of relevant experience. Before founding WhyNotChange in 2009, she held senior management consultancy and executive roles, including head of public sector consulting practice.
Since founding her company, Melanie has supported over 8,000 small businesses to grow sustainably and has extensive experience of supporting organisations to build their tendering capabilities. This includes helping them to win over £188 million of public sector contracts and philanthropic grants.
If you have any questions you’d like Melanie to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place.

Leigh-on-Sea Business Expo
2025-10-21 08:00 - 12:00 | Belfair Methodist Church Hall, Eastwood Road North, Leigh On Sea, Essex, SS9 4NG
The second Leigh-on-Sea Business Expo is being organised by Southend-on-Sea City Council – Business-on-Sea in partnership with Leigh-on-Sea.com
It will provide a marketplace of local businesses and services.
This is open to residents and businesses, so why not pop along and join us.

Achieving Email Excellence Strategies for Successful Email Marketing
2025-10-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Description
Email Marketing remains a cornerstone of digital communication, which when used effectively can elevate your brand, foster customer loyalty, and drive remarkable results.
In this 2-hour webinar, we will explore how email marketing can be a game-changer for your business, unravelling the secrets behind crafting compelling campaigns and how they seamlessly integrate into your overall marketing strategy.
Event details:
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Location: Online (ZOOM)
Cost: £30pp
Throughout this webinar, we’ll cover essential topics such as:

Building a Solid Foundation: Learn the fundamentals of email marketing, from creating subscriber lists to segmenting your audience for targeted messaging.

The Legal Bits: Get an understanding of the legalities of email marketing including Marketing Consent (GDPR) and Unsubscribes.

Crafting Irresistible Content: Dive deep into the art of crafting emails that captivate your audience.

Automation and Personalization: Explore the power of automation to streamline your email campaigns and the art of personalization to create a tailored experience for each recipient.

The Customer Journey: Learn how to utilise email marketing for more than just conversion. Nurture your customers and create touch points to improve customer engagement.

Analytics and Optimization: Learn how to track and interpret key metrics, identify areas for improvement, and optimize your campaigns for maximum impact.

Get ready to revolutionize your approach to email marketing and unlock the full potential of email marketing for your business!

Meet the Host:
Stacey Pretty – Marketing Director, Let’s Do Marketing

Stacey is the Marketing Director of Let’s Do Marketing, a marketing consultancy and services agency which is tailored to specifically support new and small businesses with organising and fulfilling their marketing ideas. With over 17 years of marketing experience, working in both B2B and B2C environments, Stacey has extensive experience in managing, creating, and promoting a variety of products and services using both online and offline marketing tools. Understanding the challenges faced by new and small businesses, Stacey seeks to simplify the complexities of marketing, with an approach focused on effectiveness and consistency, ensuring that every marketing effort translates into tangible results. For Stacey, marketing isn’t just about campaigns; it’s about building relationships and fostering an excellent customer experience.

Leadership, Management & Communication Workshop.
2025-10-15 09:30 - 16:30 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
Great leadership isn’t just about position — it’s about impact.
This intensive Leadership, Management & Communication Workshop is designed to help you:
✔ Communicate more effectively across teams
✔ Lead with confidence, clarity and purpose
✔ Manage people and priorities with real impact
📍 In-person at Launchpad Southend(with lunch & refreshments)
🗓️ 15 Oct (full day) + 4 Nov (half-day follow-up)
💼 Ideal for team leaders, managers and future leaders
Delivered by trusted leadership specialists
£595 + VAT per person
Reserve your SEAT : hello@seats.org.uk
#LeadershipMatters #EssexEvents #TeamDevelopment Skills #Training #Apprenticeships #SEATS
🎤 Meet the dynamic duo delivering your Leadership, Management & Communication Workshop this October:
🔹 David Bell
Award-winning entrepreneur, executive advisor and keynote speaker
David brings decades of leadership, business and technology experience. As founder of APC Solutions and Simboc, he’s worked globally and champions growth through mentoring, innovation and strategic leadership. A multi-fellow of prestigious institutions like CMI, IoEE and RSA, David’s passion lies in helping others succeed — and leading with purpose.

🔹Nick Looby
Communication expert, author and speaker
Nick is a master of impactful communication. Known for his book Modern Zombies, Nick challenges conventional habits and helps teams communicate with greater clarity, confidence and purpose. With clients like the BBC, HSBC and P&G, Nick combines psychology, storytelling and humour to spark real change in how we connect – at work, at home and with ourselves.

Together, they bring energy, insight and real-world experience to help you lead smarter, manage better and communicate with impact.

👉 Book now: email hello@seats.org.uk
📍 Launchpad, Southend
📆 15 Oct (09:30–16:30) + 4 Nov (09:30–13:00)
💷 £595 + VAT incl. lunch & refreshments

#LeadershipTraining #TeamDevelopment #MeetTheTrainers #EssexEvents #CommunicationSkills #Skills #Training #Apprenticeships #SEATS

Rochford and Southend Networking Breakfast in Collaboration with The Launchpad 202510
2025-10-15 08:00 - 10:00 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
Essex Business Partnerships and Launchpad are working in collaboration to launch this new networking breakfast in the Rochford/Southend area for those businesses who like to network. Networking is a great marketing tool and if undertaken properly can build long lasting relationships for businesses to work together and grow, if you have never tried it before come along to see first hand how beneficial it can be.
Essex Business Partnerships is an organisation that works countywide in Essex. It brings all types of businesses together with the aim of working together as a community, to enable our member businesses to grow and develop through communication, connection, and collaboration. Our vision is to be a dynamic, innovative, and transparent organisation providing valuable tools and information to enable businesses to thrive whatever stage of their development. We will be holding business networking events at different venues and areas in Essex as well as Business Show, virtual events, workshops, and educational events that will help businesses succeed and grow. We are a friendly community, with sole traders to the large corporate businesses, everyone is welcome with no lock outs.
Launchpad is where you will find innovative, entrepreneurial businesses and start ups in and around Southend-On-Sea. It provides purpose built workspace from offices, workshops to meeting and conference spaces. They are passionate about creating a sustainable and healthy environment for business. The building is designed for the highest level of sustainability to support Council’s climate change agenda, achieving an ‘Outstanding’ grade of BREEAM environmental standard.
They offer business support and expert guidance connecting one to the right people, reviewing business strategy or directing one towards available investment opportunities.
For more information contact info@essexbusinesspartnerships.org.uk or call Sally Sykes on 07940 459703.
When registering your place please be aware:
1. Cancellation Policy – If you cancel your booking 48hrs, or more, prior to the event, then you can claim a refund of your ticket cost less any fees that may be assigned to your booking.
2. At the time of booking – Please confirm that as an attendee you would like/would not like your contact details shared with attendees following the event.
Please note; the attendee lists shared following our events are for the use of attendees only & cannot be shared with anyone else. As with any organisation we have a legal responsibility to protect the information (in particular people’s personal information) entrusted to us by our members.
3. Photography – Please note that photographs will be taken at events and used on our website and social media platforms. Please confirm that as an attendee you would like/would not like, yourself shown in these pictures
4. Dietary Requirements – At the time of booking please confirm any dietary requirements.

FSB Creatives Connect
2025-10-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Join this new monthly networking gig for the UK’s creatives – from photographers to illustrators and everyone in between – to connect with others who could be key to securing new contracts and growing your business.
Did you know that thanks to the talents of illustrators, developers, designers, copywriters, editors, filmmakers, photographers, and many more, the creative industries contribute over £109bn to the UK economy?
Doing your best work in the creative field and growing your business sometimes means collaborating with others who can do what you can’t – and vice versa. But how do you find the agencies and freelancers you want to co-create with? This new networking date from FSB is your solution.
Join us on the second Friday of every month from wherever you are – your desk, from a shoot, after a client meeting or from home – whatever works for you. You’ll get time to promote your talents to a virtual room full of creatives from across the UK, hear about what they can do for you, connect with them, and hear from inspiring speakers each month.
Your host, FSB’s Katrina Pierce, will make sure you get a warm welcome and the chance to make valuable new connections – all in one essential hour.

AI Accelerator: Introduction to AI and Digital Tools
2025-10-10 10:00 - 15:00 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
Join us for a full-day, hands-on Digital Tools and AI Workshop designed to help professionals streamline workflows, boost productivity, and confidently integrate AI into their daily operations.
In the morning session, we’ll explore the fundamentals of digital tools, including communication, project management, automation, and data analysis platforms. Through interactive activities like tool mapping, gap analysis, and real-world scenario comparisons, participants will gain a clear understanding of how digital transformation can enhance efficiency and reduce manual processes.
We will have a short break inbetween including a complimentary light lunch and refreshments.
The afternoon session dives into the power of AI, with a focus on the Microsoft Copilot ecosystem. Participants will experience live demos across Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and engage in practical exercises to identify AI solutions for real-world tasks. The day concludes with a collaborative project lab, integration strategies, and actionable next steps for adopting digital tools and AI in the workplace.
Whether you’re just starting your digital journey or looking to deepen your AI integration, this workshop offers practical insights, peer learning, and expert guidance to help you drive meaningful change.
This workshop will be a pilot for a four part accelerator series and there are only 20 spaces for Southend based businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders who are ready to embrace the future of AI and reap the rewards for your business.
These workshops have been organised by Southend-on-Sea City Council, hosted by Launchpad Southend and delivered by GoodChangePeople

Financing greener assets to unlock better business performance
2025-10-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Join the British Business Bank for a dynamic panel discussion exploring the evolving landscape of business finance for green assets, including practical examples of financial products and the businesses using them.
Beneath the geopolitical noise, investment in lower carbon assets and business models could offer long-term commercial opportunities.
Yet newer, greener assets can feel unfamiliar and untested to smaller businesses who are worried about high upfront investment costs.
This session will help explain how companies could finance their transition to lower carbon and higher efficiency assets while maintaining their profitability and resilience.
This event is aimed at individuals new to finance.

Speakers

Philippe Bazin, Novuna Head of Sustainable Energy and Green Infrastructure
Tony Greenham, Managing Director, Sustainability, British Business Bank

Southend Business Partnership Briefing 9 October 2025
2025-10-09 07:30 - 10:30 | Maritime Room, Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
The morning will have on offer a free light breakfast, networking opportunities and a round of updates from local providers.
The focus of the event will be around AI.
AI presentation will be from the AI Guys:- An AI automation agency empowering your business with intelligent automation.
Space East will also be presenting on funding and advice for businesses looking to innovate and make the mst of space technologies.
7.30am registration begins
7.30am to 8.30am networking and light breakfast
8.30am to 10am presentations from keynote speakers
10am to 10.30am networking

How to create a compelling business plan in numbers Event details
2025-10-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Join our webinar designed to help you write a successful business plan in numbers.
Learn what makes a business plan compelling to investors and lenders and gain practical tips on how to present your vision and strategy effectively in numbers.
Aimed at start-ups and early-stage entrepreneurs, this session will equip you with the tools and insights to create a robust and persuasive business plan.
This webinar will be delivered in partnership with FundingHero Limited and Mercia Ventures.
This webinar is aimed at individuals new to finance.

Speakers

Jim Shirley, Founder, FundingHero Limited
Lewis Stringer, Senior Manager, UK Network – East and South-East Midlands, British Business Bank
Sandy Reid, Fund Principal, Mercia Ventures

Future focus: Ideas, funding and the market
2025-10-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Join the British Business Bank for an interactive virtual roundtable discussion on funding strategies, growth hacks, market trends, and key resources to fuel your smaller business.
Gain valuable insights into how business finance really works and discover tools and support systems that could help accelerate the growth of your business.
Have a burning question? Ask our expert panel what your business needs to know.
This event will be delivered in partnership with London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This event is aimed at individuals with an intermediate knowledge of finance.

Speakers

David Woods, Senior Manager, UK Network
Nick Charles, Head of Community & Member Relationships, LCCI
Scott Willis, Founder, Ferrock

Lunch and Learn: Building a loved local brand
2025-10-06 12:00 - 12:30 | Webinar
In this webinar, Teresa Ferreira, creative director and founder of Ferrgood Studio, shares some practical ways to cultivate a positive and beloved brand presence in your immediate local community.
Learn how to foster customer loyalty, increase footfall and drive sustainable growth.
Topics covered in this session

How to identify the key elements that contribute to a “loved” local brand that stands out on the high street

A simple framework for connecting with customers through storytelling, visuals and tone of voice

Budget-friendly ways to enhance shopfronts and digital channels

Other resources and tools you can use to build your brand

If you have any questions you’d like Teresa to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place.

Understanding different types of business finance
2025-10-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
With a host of free nationwide and regional in-person events, webinars and more, Business Finance Week helps smaller businesses learn about the different finance options that may be available to them to support their individual needs.
Join the British Business Bank for a free webinar that explores the different types of finance available to smaller businesses across the UK.
From Equity investment to Debt finance, our experts will guide you through the characteristics of each, helping you find the right type of finance for your business needs.
This event will be delivered in partnership with UMI.
This event is aimed at individuals new to finance.

Speakers

TBC

HR Prime FREE training session - Absence Management (Including Mental Health)
2025-10-02 11:30 - 12:30 | Online
HR Prime FREE training session – Absence Management (Including Mental Health)
Welcome to our Zoom training session focusing on absence management, with a special emphasis on Mental Health. Join us for an informative and interactive session where you’ll learn valuable insights and best practices in managing employee absences effectively, especially in relation to mental health issues.
Please register to secure your spot!

Network at the Iconic Roots Hall – Home of Southend United FC
2025-10-02 04:00 - 18:00 | Roots Hall, Victoria Avenue, Southend On Sea, Essex, SS2 6NQ
Join us for a unique networking opportunity in the Blues Legends Lounge at Roots Hall Stadium, the historic home of Southend United Football Club. This special event brings together professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from across Essex for an engaging afternoon of conversation, connection, and insight.
Southend United, known as The Shrimpers, was founded in 1906 and proudly reflects the area’s rich maritime heritage. The club’s crest includes symbols of the sea, a football, and the seaxes of Essex. Since 1955, Roots Hall has been the club’s home ground and remains the largest football stadium in Essex, with a capacity of over 10,500.
Guests will hear from Justin Rees, Chairman of Southend United, who will share insights into the club’s vision, current direction, and future aspirations.
This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your network in a unique and inspiring setting. Book your place today and be part of an afternoon designed to inform, connect, and inspire.
Date: Thursday 2 October 4pm – 6pm
Venue: Southend United Football Club, Roots Hall, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6NQ
Cost to attend: Members £30.00 + VAT Non Members £50 + VAT
Only TWO attendees per Company
Agenda: Subject to change
4.00pm – Registration, refreshments & networking
4.45pm – Welcome from Essex Chambers
4.50pm – Welcome from Justin Rees, Chairman
5.20pm – Networking & refreshments
6.00pm – Event Ends

An introduction to Start Up Loans
2025-10-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
With a host of free nationwide and regional in-person events, webinars and more, Business Finance Week helps smaller businesses learn about the different finance options that may be available to them to support their individual needs.

Since being launched in 2016, over 122,000 businesses have benefited from a government-backed Start Up Loan.
Join colleagues from the British Business Bank as they explain what a Start Up Loan is, the support applicants enjoy beyond the funding itself, and the overall impact of the scheme for UK start-ups.
With special guests including Start Up Loan recipients, partners, and experts from the British Business Bank, this event will help you decide if a Start Up Loan is right for you and your business aspirations.
This event is aimed at individuals new to finance.

Speakers

Lisa Storey, Founder, EZHampers
Peter Gover, Head of Credit, Performance & Procurement, The King’s Trust
Ren Kapur MBE, Chief Executive Officer, X-Forces Enterprise
Richard Bearman, Chief Development Officer, British Business Bank

SE..whO Breaking down the basics of SEO
2025-10-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
In an era where online presence is a necessity, understanding the fundamentals of search engine optimisation (SEO) is crucial for individuals and businesses alike. Navigating this dynamic landscape, can appear overwhelming and complicated for small business owners, but Let’s Do Marketing are here to help.

This 2-hour webinar breaks down the basics of SEO, providing you with the understanding of the core principles and highlights the tools available to help search engines to give you the attention you deserve!

Event details:
Time: 10am – 12pm
Location: Online (ZOOM)
Cost: £30pp

What You’ll Learn:

Understanding Search Engines: Gain insights into how search engines work and how they determine the ranking of web pages.

Keyword Research and Optimization: Learn how to strategically incorporate keywords into your content to increase visibility and attract the right audience.

On-Page SEO Techniques: Explore the critical on-page elements that contribute to a website’s SEO success.

Off-Page SEO Strategies: Delve into off-page SEO factors, including backlink building and social signals. Understand how to cultivate a strong online presence beyond the confines of your website.

Technical SEO Essentials: Uncover the technical aspects of SEO, such as site speed, mobile optimization, and crawlability.

Measuring and Analysing SEO Performance: Explore key metrics and tools to measure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

Who Should Attend:
· Small Business Owners

Small Business Owners

Content Creators

Entrepreneurs

Anyone Seeking to Enhance Digital Presence

Let’s demystify SEO and empower you to navigate the digital landscape with confidence.

Meet the Host:
Stacey Pretty | Marketing Director, Let’s Do Marketing

Stacey is the Marketing Director of Let’s Do Marketing, a marketing consultancy and services agency which is tailored to specifically support new and small businesses with organising and fulfilling their marketing ideas. With over 17 years of marketing experience, working in both B2B and B2C environments, Stacey has extensive experience in managing, creating, and promoting a variety of products and services using both online and offline marketing tools. Understanding the challenges faced by new and small businesses, Stacey seeks to simplify the complexities of marketing, with an approach focused on effectiveness and consistency, ensuring that every marketing effort translates into tangible results. For Stacey, marketing isn’t just about campaigns; it’s about building relationships and fostering an excellent customer experience.

Disabled Entrepreneurs Networking
2025-09-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
A friendly, supportive and productive monthly virtual networking meeting for entrepreneurs with any form of disability or health issues.
This is a regular opportunity to bring together business owners with any form of physical or mental health issues to network together, advise each other and build up contacts across the whole of the UK.
The monthly online networking session will feature a short 10 minute talk by a speaker with a health issue – or someone who is an advocate for those with a disability – before we go into breakout rooms so attendees can network with one another in a friendly and supportive environment.
Speaker

This September, our guest speaker is Chris Naylor from Bnode who will be sharing how organisations can build digital spaces that are open, fair, and accessible to everyone.
What barriers do disabled people (including those who are neurodivergent) face when using websites, completing online forms, or joining virtual events? These barriers are not minor, they can block people from accessing your services and opportunities.
Chris is an expert in digital accessibility. Through Bnode, he has developed tools and strategies that put inclusion at the centre of digital design. His mission is clear: “Digital Done Right”, a commitment to ethical, sustainable, and accessible digital practices.
Attendees will gain:

Insight into common accessibility barriers and how they impact users.
Quick wins you can apply straight away, from better labels to accessible colour choices.
The benefits to your business for being more inclusive.
Resources and approaches to embed accessibility in your digital work long-term.

You’ll leave with a heightened awareness of digital inclusion, the knowledge and confidence to spot barriers, and how and why to start embedding accessibility into your organisation’s online presence. This is about more than compliance, it is about fairness, usability, and building digital spaces that welcome everyone.
These virtual networking meetings are part of the FSB’s ongoing Business Without Barriers campaign which aims to encourage inclusive, supportive workplaces and offer advice for the country’s army of disabled entrepreneurs.
This free #FSBConnectOnline networking is open to all businesses – both FSB members and non-members are welcome to attend, so please feel free to share with your networks.
Please note that subtitles will automatically be enabled for this virtual networking event.
We look forward to seeing you!
Our events and activities, including those focused on a specific issue or equality characteristic, are open to all. We encourage shared learning, wider conversations, and a collective responsibility to inclusivity through allyship, where marginalised groups are supported by others.
Important Notice:
Please be advised that bookings will close 70 minutes prior to the event start time to allow sufficient time for customer service support. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Social Media Advanced: Paid Ads
2025-09-30 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
Description
Start running Paid Ads on social media, and reach more customers than ever before!
Want to level up your social media channels and skills, and learn how to run smart and effective paid social media campaigns on Facebook and Instagram?

Join the course from Let’s Do Marketing and follow the whole process with an expert social media coach, where you’ll learn how to dive deeper into and create a more targeted marketing strategy, and how to plan and set up sophisticated Paid Ad campaigns from Facebook Ads Manager.
Event details:
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Online (ZOOM)
Cost: £35pp
During this course, we’ll cover:

Developing your customer personas online – investigating habits, social media usage, trends and more

Ways you can use data better – from installing a Facebook Pixel to using your Mailing Lists to create targeted audiences for your Paid Ads

Learning about Meta Business Suite – useful tools included, as well as how to navigate the platform

Different formats and types of ads

Creating graphic design content for Paid Ads using Canva

Walkthrough of creating a Paid Ad Campaign on Facebook Ads Manager – from creating your campaign and narrowing down your audience, to creating Ad copy and Call to Actions.

Measuring the results of your Paid Ad campaigns

As well as a dedicated Q&A session, where you can ask a social media expert any questions you have about running and creating your own paid advertisements on social media.

Meet the Host:
Kerry Madge | Marketing Executive, Let’s Do Marketing

Kerry Madge is a dynamic Marketing Executive at Let’s Do Marketing, bringing nearly six years of diverse experience collaborating with businesses of all sizes. Holding a BA in Marketing Management, Kerry excels in social media advertising, graphic design, and copywriting. Her passion lies in crafting creative solutions and developing comprehensive marketing strategies that empower small businesses to visualise and achieve their overarching goals.

Preparing for Your Public Sector Tender Journey - Southend Business Customers Only
2025-09-26 10:00 - 2026-01-23 13:00 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
OverviewThis workshop is designed for micro and small businesses looking to take their first steps into public sector tendering. If you’re aiming to win lower-value tenders and requests for quotations (RFQs) but feel overwhelmed by procurement jargon, this session will help you build confidence and clarity.
What You’ll Learn

How to access public sector opportunities
Understanding procurement thresholds and routes to market
Assessing your business’s readiness to supply
Responding effectively to technical questions in tenders

Outcomes

A clear understanding of procurement basics
Knowledge of essential documents and policies
Confidence in answering tender questions
A practical action plan to improve your tender readiness

DeliveryThis workshop is hosted by Launchpad Southend and delivered by BIZphit LLP. It is fully funded by Southend-on-Sea City Council and Rochford District Council.
You do not need to attend all 4 workshops in the series but parts 2-4 will guide your business through every part of the tendering process. Future workshops as follows:
Workshop 2: Tender Fitness Review & Development – 31st Oct 2025
Workshop 3: Demystifying Tender Responses & Using AI Effectively – 28th Nov 2025
Workshop 4: AI in Tendering – Practical, Compliant & Competitive Use – 23rd Jan 2026

A Guide to Government Contracts - Series of 4 workshops on How to Tender - Rochford Business Customers Only
2025-09-26 10:00 - 2026-01-23 13:00 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
A guide to Government contracts – Series of 4 workshops
Rochford District Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Launchpad Southend are pleased to provide local businesses with a series of FREE new workshops designed to help your business navigate the world of Government contracts! Join us at Launchpad for four interactive sessions where you will learn everything you need to know about securing and managing Government contracts. Whether you’re a small business owner or a seasoned entrepreneur, these workshops will provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to succeed in the competitive Government contracting space. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your business horizons!
These workshops are hosted by Launchpad Southend and delivered by BIZphit LLP. The series is fully funded by Rochford District Council (using UK Government UKSPF) and Southend-on-Sea City Council. There are 12 places available for Rochford District* based businesses and 12 places for those within Southend-on-Sea – on a first come first served basis.
A light lunch with refreshments and networking opportunity at the end of each workshop is included.
You do not need to attend all 4 workshops in the series, however by attending all 4, BizPhit will be able to guide your business through every part of the tendering process. Workshop dates and content as follows:
Friday 26 September 2025 – 10 am until 1 pm
Workshop 1: Preparing for Your Public Sector Tender

Friday 31 October 2025 – 10 am until 1 pm
Workshop 2: Tender Fitness Review & Development

Friday 28 November 2025 – 10 am until 1 pm
Workshop 3: Demystifying Tender Responses & Using AI Effectively

Friday 23 January 2026 – 10 am until 1 pm
Workshop 4: AI in Tendering – Practical, Compliant & Competitive Use

Southend Local Business Pledges
2025-09-25 16:30 - 18:30 | Park Inn by Radisson Palace, Park Inn, Church Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2AL
We are delighted to invite you to this event for local businesses, charities and inclusion teams to collaborate and share information about an untapped talent pool of Southend-on-Sea City Council Care Leavers.
Throughout the day, you will hear powerful stories that highlight the journeys of care-experienced young people and the positive impact that collaborative support has had on their personal and professional development. These stories demonstrate how care leavers can become valuable assets to local employers.
Care Leavers are eager for guidance, recognition, and opportunities as they navigate their career paths within our community. As a business community, we have a shared responsibility to invest in the future—both of our enterprises and of the next generation.
Our employees shape our businesses and aspirations. Our future lies in their hands.
We encourage you to attend and discover an incredible, often overlooked talent pool right here in Southend.
Refreshments are provided, please book your free space via the booking link and contact the organiser for any queries.
