The premier week in the Highland business calendar will return this September and we want your businesses to be a part of the festivities.
Launched in June, Highland Business Week 2024 is your opportunity to network, showcase and celebrate, whatever the scale of your business or organisation.
Organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce, and supported by our media partner Highland News & Media, the annual business festival will take place from 23 to 27 September.
Anchored by the popular Highland Spotlight exhibition and the annual Highland Business Awards, the week itself is an opportunity for our business community to be part of the programme and showcase your specialism through your own crafted events, workshops or masterclasses that inform, inspire and educate.
Colin Marr, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, explains: “This is one of our flagship events and one that we’re proud of. The programme is anchored with our Highland Spotlight exhibition and Highland Business Awards while the week itself is an opportunity for our business community to contribute to our programme of events, workshops or masterclasses that inform and educate for the benefit of the wider region. I’m looking forward to seeing the Highland Business Week calendar develop in the lead up to September and sharing all the expertise and innovation that exists in the Scottish Highlands.”
Highland Spotlight is the region’s biggest business exhibition, providing organisations and companies the time and space to meet together in a collaborative setting. This year it will take place at The Drumossie Hotel on Tuesday 24 September.
Last year, the event showcased over 50 exhibitors with over 300 people in attendance. In 2023, a new ‘Rising Stars’ showcase was also held at the event. This placed young entrepreneurs at the heart of Highland Spotlight and it was such a success that they will form a key part of the exhibition again this year.
The event is an opportunity to forge lasting connections with people across the Highlands and learn more about the products and services available on our doorstep.
Speaking about Highland Spotlight, Paula Nicol, Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Events, said: “There is nothing else like it in the Highlands. It’s a chance to come together, raise your profile amongst the business community, show everything your business has to offer or launch something new to a captive audience. Those that take stands each year get a lot out of it – very often inspiring new business opportunities and collaborations. It’s fantastic to see all the conversations taking place.
“Last year my highlight was Rising Stars. It was a fantastic opportunity for those up-and-coming businesses to get involved, have a presence alongside established businesses and meet with business leaders that could potentially open more doors for them.
“What’s been great is that they have continued to support and learn from each other in many respects, so we are looking forward to working with our Developing the Young Workforce colleagues to have more Rising Stars at Highland Spotlight 2024.”
She added: “The atmosphere at Highland Spotlight is always buzzing. We find the connections made at the event last long afterwards, often leading to business referrals, collaborations, and contract opportunities. It’s also designed to be an accessible and inclusive event where smaller businesses, that have a connection, can share a stand and the investment of having a presence at the exhibition.”
Highland Spotlight will also include events throughout the day such as business masterclasses and seminars.
To reserve your exhibition stand click here. Or to attend the exhibition as a visitor register here.
Highland Business Week culminates with the Highland Business Awards which celebrate the diversity, innovation and resilience of organisations throughout the region with categories for all.
Large or small, well-established or just starting out, businesses are invited to nominate themselves or another organisation.
The winners will be announced at the Highland Business Awards lunch at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday 27 September. There are also sponsorship opportunities available.
Alongside returning categories such as Business Leader of the Year and Global Growth, this year sees a new a category in the running: Best Marketing Campaign.
Paula said: “It’s exciting having this new category setting out strategic marketing initiatives that support business success. We are looking for entries that have taken an innovative approach and can demonstrate real results.
“Like all the Highland Business Awards categories, any business large or small can get involved in this new award.”
She added: “Our past finalists and winners demonstrate that no matter their size or location, everyone has the potential to showcase success. So we really encourage businesses from across the Highlands to put themselves forward and celebrate with us.
“There are other ways to get involved with the Highland Business Awards too. The awards celebrate the strength and diversity of business in the Highlands and by sponsoring a category you can demonstrate your organisation’s affinity to these principles, while supporting the continued success of the Highland economy.
“We have a few categories still available and would be delighted to hear from businesses who’d like to know more about the opportunities.”
Nominations are open until 5.00pm on Friday 9 August. Please note there will be no extension to this deadline.
To see all our categories, nominate or enter go to our Highland Business Awards page here.
To discuss award sponsorship opportunities or running an event throughout Highland Business Week please email events@inverness-chamber.co.uk
