Highland Business Week 2025
Highland Business Week 2025 takes place from 22–26 September, bringing the region’s business community together for five days of inspiration, networking and celebration. Delivered by Inverness Chamber of Commerce, this flagship week features two cornerstone events – the Highland Spotlight exhibition and the Highland Business Awards. Alongside these, a diverse programme of seminars, workshops and socials is delivered by our members, for our members, showcasing the expertise, innovation and ambition that drive Highland businesses. It’s the perfect opportunity to make connections, share ideas and celebrate success. Explore the full programme below and secure your place today…
Events Programme
Tuesday 23 September
Highland Spotlight Business to Business Exhibition
The Highlands’ largest B2B exhibition brings businesses together to network, discover products and services, and build lasting connections across the region in a collaborative, engaging environment.
Where: Drumossie Hotel, Inverness
When: 10:00 – 16:00
Summary:
Highland Spotlight is the region’s largest dedicated business-to-business exhibition, offering organisations the opportunity to meet under one roof, connect with peers, and explore the breadth of products and services available across the Highlands. The event fosters collaboration, strengthens relationships, and provides a platform for knowledge sharing and business growth.
Discover How AI Is Transforming Marketing
Highland Spotlight Seminar – Join Strut and Tuminds for a free seminar exploring how AI is reshaping marketing, SEO, and customer engagement, with practical tips to make your business digitally future-ready.
Where: Drumossie Hotel, Inverness
When: 12:00 – 13:00
Summary:
This insightful seminar, led by Strut and Tuminds, focuses on how AI is transforming marketing and what it means for your business. From evolving SEO practices to automating marketing tasks and discovering new channels for customer engagement, the session delivers practical, real-world advice. You’ll leave with actionable tips to optimise your digital presence and keep your business competitive in an ever-changing digital landscape. A must-attend for any business looking to understand and harness AI in marketing.
Wednesday 24 September
Financial Foundations: Steps to Financial Wellbeing
Join Royal Bank of Scotland for a free, interactive workshop covering budgeting, saving, borrowing, and credit. Gain practical money skills and confidence to take control of your financial wellbeing.
Where: Royal Bank of Scotland, Falcon Square, Inverness
When: 10:30 – 12:00
Summary:
Take steps toward financial wellbeing with this free, interactive workshop from the Royal Bank of Scotland. Designed to help participants feel more confident managing their money, the session covers key topics including budgeting, setting savings goals, understanding borrowing and credit scores, and dealing with debt. Whether you’re looking to improve everyday money management or simply want to build stronger financial knowledge, this practical and engaging workshop will provide useful strategies you can apply immediately. Open to all, you don’t need to be a Royal Bank customer to attend.
UHI Biomedical Sciences Lab Tours
Explore cutting-edge biomedical research at UHI Inverness Campus, from genetics to medical nanotechnology, on a 45-minute lab tour, followed by networking with researchers over tea and coffee.
Where: Life Sciences Innovation Centre, Inverness Campus
When: 14:00 – 15:00
Summary:
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Inverness Campus invites you to explore its state-of-the-art biomedical research facilities during a 45-minute guided tour. Visit laboratories in An Lòchran and the Life Sciences Innovation Centre (LSIC) to see pioneering work in genetics, antimicrobial coatings, medical nanotechnology, bio-photonics, and mass spectrometry. This behind-the-scenes experience offers insight into the research shaping the future of health and disease understanding. After the tour, join the researchers for tea, coffee, and informal networking to discuss their work and explore potential collaborations.
Thursday 25 September
Thorntons Presents: The Highland Host
Join Thorntons at Kingsmills Hotel to explore opportunities and challenges in the hospitality sector. Gain insights, practical tools, and connections to help your business thrive in an evolving market.
Where: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
When: 10:00 for 10:30 – 12:00
Summary:
Thorntons presents The Highland Host, a session designed for hospitality and leisure businesses to navigate the evolving market in Inverness, the Highlands, and beyond. Hear directly from industry leaders about the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector. The session provides practical takeaways, actionable insights, and networking opportunities to help you strengthen your business strategy and future-proof operations. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to succeed in a competitive, adapting industry and the tools to implement meaningful change.
How To Buy Well
Impact Hub Inverness hosts a workshop on sustainable and socially responsible purchasing. Enjoy a local buffet lunch while learning how your supply chain decisions can benefit communities and the environment.
Where: Impact Hub, Castle Street, Inverness
When: 12:30 – 14:30
Summary:
How To Buy Well is a hands-on workshop designed to help businesses integrate sustainability and social responsibility into their supply chains. Hosted by Impact Hub Inverness, which has supported Highland businesses and community groups for over 20 years, the session includes a buffet lunch from local social enterprises. Participants will explore practical ways to overcome the unique procurement challenges faced in the Highlands, learn how to maximise local economic impact through purchasing choices, and gain insights into delivering positive social and environmental outcomes. Attendees leave equipped with strategies that can strengthen both business operations and community impact.
Innovation & Collaboration: Driving Change Through Technology in Food & Drink
Join Food and Drink TechHUB for a networking event exploring how innovation and technology can drive efficiency, sustainability, and growth in the sector, with showcases, panels, and practical insights.
Where: SRUC Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC), Inverness Campus
When: 12:30 – 17:00
Summary:
The Food and Drink TechHUB’s third annual networking event provides a platform for businesses to explore how technology and innovation can drive change in the sector. Attendees will hear success stories from local businesses that have adopted new technologies and accessed funding through TechHUB support. The programme includes lunch, networking, a technology and innovation showcase, short presentations from tech companies, and a panel discussion featuring businesses that have benefited from TechHUB one-to-one support. Discover practical solutions to improve efficiency, develop new products, reduce carbon footprints, and collaborate with peers to accelerate growth and sustainability in the food and drink industry.
Friday 26 September
Highland Business Awards 2025
Celebrate the Highlands’ business excellence at the prestigious Highland Business Awards. Join us at Kingsmills Hotel as winners are announced and outstanding achievements across the region are recognised.
Where: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
When: 12:00 for 12:15 – 15:30
Summary:
The Highland Business Awards 2025 are the culmination of Highland Business Week, celebrating the achievements, innovation, and dedication of businesses and individuals across the Highlands. This prestigious event recognises organisations that have made a lasting impact on the regional economy, demonstrated resilience and ambition, and championed excellence in their sectors. Attendees will enjoy a memorable afternoon of celebration, networking, and inspiration as the 2025 winners are announced. It’s an unmissable opportunity to honour the outstanding contributions that drive the Highland business community forward.