Audience inspired as Biz Week leaders set scene for “cornerstone event”

Members of the steering group demonstrated a new website at the Get Ready for Humber Business Week 2025 event.

Guest speakers told of the benefits of addressing accessibility requirements and the principles around Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB).

Presenters from Future Humber spoke of the need to seize the opportunity to use Biz Week to promote the Humber place values – real, remarkable, resourceful, revolutionary.

Actors from Hull Truck Theatre created a series of impromptu scenes to demonstrate the best and worst presentation and customer service skills.

Members of the audience left the event at the MKM Stadium brimming with ideas for what they could contribute to Biz week and the benefits it could deliver for their organisations.

Hull College business students Lily Platten and Faith Henry, who attended to explore the issues around staging business events, said they plan to talk to their tutors about what sort of activities they could host during Humber Business Week, which takes place in venues across the Humber region from Monday 2 June.

Stephanie Sewell, administration and charity co-ordinator at Run With It, said: “I came away with some great ideas on how to think outside the box and elevate the impact of the events in June.

“The morning was truly inspiring – a fantastic opportunity to network with local businesses and listen to insightful talks from some incredible guest speakers made the audience feel energized and motivated for this year’s Business Week. It’s not just an event – it’s a celebration of the dynamic business community in our region and I strongly encourage everyone to take a look at what is on offer and get involved!” 

Pat Coyle, chair of Humber Business Week, spoke about the history of the event, which marks its 21st birthday this year.

She said: “This is a fantastic turnout. It’s fitting for a festival of business which has consistently served as a cornerstone event for the region, connecting businesses and the wider community, sharing knowledge, networking, exploring the latest trends and innovation.

“We are building a more inclusive community, significantly increasing our engagement on the south bank, bringing in students to gain experience in running business events, launching a new website which will make it easier for people to find out about Humber Business Week and host their own events. We were delighted by the level of engagement by businesses and other organisations and this event will help us build on that.”

Biz Week will again feature the Future Humber Bondholder Breakfast, the Humber Business Week Lunch, Chamber Expo, the HullBID Inspiring People Dinner, Hull City Council’s Business Breakfast, the University of Hull Celebration Dinner and The Business Day at Bridlington Spa. 

Exhibitors can register their own events on the official Biz Week website at https://humberbusinessweek.co.uk/ until Friday 23 May.

The full schedule will be announced at the official Humber Business Week programme launch at Hull Truck Theatre from 5pm until 6.30pm on Thursday 10 April.