Summer's almost upon us and you may be thinking about dusting off your best networking handshake, replenishing your business cards and getting out and about and on the wagon again.
We've rounded up nine of the best national networking events, and one or two in Ireland, for you to take your pick of. And the best part? They're mostly all free!
It's a very free-form event and you can dip in and out of talks by some great speakers including former Dragon Hilary Devey and Raja Saggi, head of marketing at Google, as well as attend its startup-focused zone and masterclasses.
Its specifically a great way to meet vendors and network with others, a good tip would be to make sure and make a lot of coffee dates to fill up your time!
Jo Malone's speaking in West London, Lady Michelle Mone in Oxford and Dragon Nick Jenkins in Southampton.
This is a pretty new event so we've not been yet - but it's free and has some big names, so probably worth a punt!
Bristol's event last year was particularly good; there was also an investor panel where select startups pitched their businesses to investors. There was also a large emphasis on tech, and the local University even had a self-driving car on show along with robots and - to my delight - I also got to play with an Oculus Rift and attend talks from the CEO of IMDb and a SXSW founder.
There are lots of ways to get involved, you can register and advertise your business through their small business finder for free or join its bus tour which will arrive in most UK cities.
It's now in its 9th year and businesses can enter via the website. This year, we're picking out a top 250 which will go through to a series of bootcamps and choose 20 to showcase at the end of year event.
This event is primarily both for learning and networking - and again, it's free. What do you have to lose?
These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors-introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.
You can attend, get involved or offer mentoring services depending on what you're looking to get out of the event. Its mission is to get Ireland noticed as a global startup hub by 2020.
If you're in the area, why not?
Can you think of any large-scale business events around the UK or Ireland you'd like to highlight this year? Comment below with where they are and what they cost! (Log in or sign up first)
We've rounded up nine of the best national networking events, and one or two in Ireland, for you to take your pick of. And the best part? They're mostly all free!
1. The Business Show, Excel, London, 11 and 12 May: Free
It's worth getting the DLR out to the Excel for this event, which is held every year alongside its accounting and legal expos, Legalex and Accountex.It's a very free-form event and you can dip in and out of talks by some great speakers including former Dragon Hilary Devey and Raja Saggi, head of marketing at Google, as well as attend its startup-focused zone and masterclasses.
Its specifically a great way to meet vendors and network with others, a good tip would be to make sure and make a lot of coffee dates to fill up your time!
2. Entrepreneurs Exchange, 40 locations around the UK, 18 May: Free
On Wednesday, 18 May, at 6pm, 40 of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs are offering business advice for free at 20 locations across the UK.Jo Malone's speaking in West London, Lady Michelle Mone in Oxford and Dragon Nick Jenkins in Southampton.
This is a pretty new event so we've not been yet - but it's free and has some big names, so probably worth a punt!
3. Venturefest, all around the UK, from March to November: Free
If you're a startup - particularly in the tech space - then get yourself to one of Venturefest's events. You can either attend, network and take in some shows, or you can exhibit.Bristol's event last year was particularly good; there was also an investor panel where select startups pitched their businesses to investors. There was also a large emphasis on tech, and the local University even had a self-driving car on show along with robots and - to my delight - I also got to play with an Oculus Rift and attend talks from the CEO of IMDb and a SXSW founder.
4. Small Business Saturday, date TBC, around the UK: Free
Rather than an actual one-stop shop physical event, this is more a collective consciousness over the course of a year that cumulates in a dedicated day where it asks people to raise awareness for and shop in small businesses.There are lots of ways to get involved, you can register and advertise your business through their small business finder for free or join its bus tour which will arrive in most UK cities.
5. The Pitch, around the UK, numerous dates: Free
The Pitch is UKBF and BusinessZone's very own small business programme which celebrates the top small business talent in the UK, ending in a final event toward the end of the year.It's now in its 9th year and businesses can enter via the website. This year, we're picking out a top 250 which will go through to a series of bootcamps and choose 20 to showcase at the end of year event.
This event is primarily both for learning and networking - and again, it's free. What do you have to lose?
6. Global Entrepreneurship Week, around the UK, 14 - 20 November
Global Entrepreneurship Week is an initiative to inspire people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators.These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors-introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.
7. Startup Gathering 2016, Ireland: November 2016: Free
The Republic of Ireland's got a vibrant startup scene, which is emphasised through events like the Startup Gatherings in its major cities, including Belfast and Derry in Northern Ireland.You can attend, get involved or offer mentoring services depending on what you're looking to get out of the event. Its mission is to get Ireland noticed as a global startup hub by 2020.
8. Webluvr, Ireland, 2 and 3 April, Wexford,: Free
An expo for tech and web lovers on the Emerald Isle; Webluvr is worth going to because not only is it unique in showcasing tech startup talent outside of Dublin, it looks like it's drawing a good raft of speakers on a range of web and digital marketing topics.If you're in the area, why not?
9. All Ireland Business Summit, Croke Park, Dublin, 14 April: €49, rising to €99
This looks like a really interesting business show in Ireland this year. With speakers from LinkedIn to the Washington times, this event's held in the legendary Croke Park stadium. There's also a chance for small businesses to exhibit and network.Can you think of any large-scale business events around the UK or Ireland you'd like to highlight this year? Comment below with where they are and what they cost! (Log in or sign up first)
