How to make the most of Ipswich Thrive Business Week

Why it matters: The week-long business festival runs from 10-18 March and showcases Ipswich's diverse business community while providing valuable opportunities for growth, learning and collaboration.

Here's our day-by-day guide:

Monday 10 March

• Uncover your strengths, weaknesses, and unique traits with the Personality Profiling Workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (10:00-13:00)
• Ping into Business brings you to a table tennis table where you have a 15 minute match against your colleague, and in that time explore future opportunities, plus networking by Table Tennis England (11:30-14:00)
• Learn how to secure funding for your projects at the Grants Workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (14:00-15:00)
• Learn how to write and submit an Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant application at the Arts Council Project Grant Bootcamp (18:00-21:00)

Tuesday 11 March

• Learn how to flourish as a leader and be inspired in an ever demanding-world at the Suffolk Business Breakfast by Larking Gowen (07:15-10:15)
• Understand and learn how to apply commodity and tariff codes for customs compliance at the Trade Commodity Codes Training Course by the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce (09:30-12:30)
• Learn how to manage money, make smart investments, and grow your business at the Business Finance Workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (10:00-13:00)
• Learn how collaborative problem solving is connecting industry and education at the Employability & Entrepreneurial Skills Showcase by University of Suffolk (13:00-17:00)
• Get ready to boost your focus, productivity, and mental resilience at the High Performance Mindspan Workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (14:00-16:00)

Wednesday 12 March

• Get your business cards ready for a morning of networking with small business owners at Meet the Members Networking by ISSBA (09:30-11:30)
• Jobs, apprenticeships, training, career advice, skills bootcamps, volunteering and much more at the Ipswich Jobs and Careers Fair by the Department for Work & Pensions (10:00-13:00)
• Learn the basics of starting a business and navigating the legal side of things at the 1st Steps and Legal Workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (10:00-13:00)
• Dive into the world of mergers and acquisitions at the M&A Masterclass by Business Growth Coaches Network & Affinia (11:30-13:00)
• Learn how to predict and manage your cash flow at the Cashflow Forecasting workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (14:00-16:30)
• Discover new opportunities, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights to take your next step with confidence at the Join the Force Networking Event by EmpowerUs (17:00-19:30)
• Showcase your games and partake in some informal games industry networking at the Ipswich and Suffolk Game Developer Meet Up by Game Anglia (19:00-21:00)

Thursday 13 March

• Discover how embracing digital transformation, adapting the narrative, and rethinking community engagement can revitalise the high street at the From Surviving to Thriving: The High Street Revolution Conference by Ipswich Borough Council (09:30-12:00)
• A day of knowledge exchange and partnership opportunities at Unlocking Innovation by University of Suffolk (09:30-15:00)
• Learn the latest strategies and tips for boosting your brand at the Marketing workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (10:00-13:00)
• Tackle your imposter syndrome and boost your confidence at the Imposter Syndrome and Building Confidence workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (13:00-16:00)
• Elevate your workplace skills and become a more effective leader, manager or team leader at the Opportunities Fair for young people and adults by Suffolk New College (16:30-18:30)
• Gain valuable insight into the future of "community" in Suffolk, and how to support tourism at the Ipswich Thrive Tourism Celebration by Larking Gowen (17:30-19:30)
• Ignite your creativity and support local creatives at the Elevate Creatives Launch Networking Event (19:00-21:00)

Friday 14 March

• Learn how social enterprises can thrive in a challenging marketplace at the Let's Get Social - Effective Social Impact Conference by Dot to Dot & Virtual Prestige (09:00-12:00)
• Gain practical ways to make your work easier and more efficient at the Process improvement workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (10:00-14:00)
• Attract and recruit diverse talent by ensuring your recruitment strategies are accessible and inclusive to all at the Inclusive Recruitment - Do's and Don'ts by Dismantle Initiative (10:00-12:00)
• Learn AI and how it can drive creativity and innovation for solopreneurs at the Creating Innovation Using AI workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (14:00-16:30)

Monday 17 March

• Boost your selling skills and close more deals at the Sales workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (10:00-13:00)
• Learn how to spark innovation using AI with International AI expert Eleni Lialiamou at the Creating Innovation Using AI Workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (13:15-16:15)

Tuesday 18 March

• Learn how to nail your pitches and presentations like a pro at the Pitching and presenting workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (10:00-13:00)
• Learn how to boost your sales using SEO techniques at the How to use SEO to improve sales workshop by Business Growth Coaches Network (13:30-15:30)
• Connect, collaborate and grow the local tech scene at the Ipswich & Suffolk Tech Mixer by Tech East & Ipswich Digital (17:00-19:00)

The bottom line: Early registration is recommended for these popular events, with many workshops offering limited places. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards and prepare a brief introduction about their business to maximise networking opportunities.