Festival, to take place in June, was first held in the city in 2014 and then again in 2016 and attracts an audience of buyers, suppliers and investors from around the world. Tony McDonough reports
British Airways has signed up as a headline sponsor for the third International Business Festival in Liverpool this summer.
The festival was first held in the city in 2014 and then again in 2016 and attracts an audience of buyers, suppliers and investors from around the world. At the last festival in 2016, UK companies secured export sales worth more than £250m.
This year’s event will take place between June 12 and 28, with a programme of expert panels, practical workshops and inspirational keynote addresses designed to explore international business growth opportunities across a range of sectors – from manufacturing to creative industries.
British Airways has signed up to partner with the festival to focus on the value of face-to-face meetings in the business world.
Across the airline’s top 10 fastest-growing routes in its SME loyalty programme – On Business – including San Jose, the home of Silicon Valley, traveller numbers have grown by around 30%.
British Airways ‘On Business’ loyalty programme enables small and medium-sized companies to collect On Business points each time a member of their company travels. Points can be spent on reward flights, on a cabin upgrade, or on special offers.
Through British Airways’ partnership with the festival, the airline’s customers will be able to take advantage of a preferential ticket rate for the event, with 30% off day and full festival passes if booked before March 31.
Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ director of brand and customer experience, said: “Our latest figures show that people in business still place great value in meeting in person with existing contacts and new prospects.”
Max Steinberg CBE, chairman of the 2018 International Business Festival, added: “Forging personal connections across the globe should be a key priority for UK SMEs as they prepare for the post-Brexit reality.
“As the world’s biggest business festival we help businesses meet the right people to turn ideas into innovations that hit the bottom line.”
For information on the International Business Festival in June 2018, and to buy tickets, visit www.internationalbusinessfestival.com